Page 75 of Shattered Oaths

Justin laughs but it’s void of any emotion and without another word, he turns and walks away from us.

I spin around in Noah’s hold and glance up at him. He watches Justin’s retreating form, his brows pitched low, jaw clenched.

“Hey,” I say softly, gaining his attention. “What are you doing here?”

“I knew you were working today so I thought I’d come and grab some lunch,” he says, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on my lips.

He takes my hand in his and the two of us walk the rest of the way to the café like that. I feel the curious stares of multiple people, but I ignore them along with the way a swarm of butterflies take flight in my belly and my heart pounds a little bit faster at Noah’s blatant declaration to the world, consequences be damned.

***

Sav:My parents are on grandparent duty. Hunter wants to go fishing and I want to sit in the sun and get drunk. Are you in?

I stare down at Savannah’s text, confused. She wants me to go fishing…with them?

Me:Is this like a third wheel situation?

Sav:No. Hunter has invited Noah.

My eyebrow hikes up at this, fingers flying over the screen.

Me:So, this is like a double date situation?

Sav:That depends. Are you dating Noah?

I laugh at her reply but don’t respond. Instead, I swipe out of the chat and click on another.

Me:Are you going fishing with Hunter and Savannah?

Noah:No. WE are going fishing with Hunter and Savannah.

Me:And you were going to tell me this, when?

Noah:In about thirty minutes when you walk your sexy little ass through the front door.

I laugh, shaking my head as I continue to go about my regular procedure of closing the café for the night.

I check and double check all the ovens are switched off. Tidy away the last few items of baking equipment I’d just finished using and switch off the lights in the kitchen.

Locking up the front doors, I flip the open sign to closed and move down the hall to my office to grab my bag before leaving through the back.

I chew on my bottom lip the entire drive back to the ranch, thoughts of us going with Hunter and Savannah making my insides flip with nervous excitement.

It feels so…bold.

We haven’t spoken about what is happening between the two of us, yet he held my hand and kissed me in public today and now he wants to go on a fishing trip with his brother and his fiancé?

It makes me feel things. On the one hand, I’m excited to be spending time with Savannah. I could really do with some girl time and a second opinion from someone on the outside. But on the other hand, I’m nervous at how I’m supposed to act. Howhe’sgoing to act.

Is he going to act like we’re friends and nothing more? It’s not exactly strange that he would invite me along because everybody knows I’ve been staying with him.Savannah, of course, knows a little bit about the picture I sent but that’s as far as her knowledge goes.

Or is he going to behave like he did today and be openly affectionate with me?

And what happened to his worry about my brother finding out?

I blow out a breath and shake the thoughts away as I pull up beside Noah’s house and get out of my car. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I climb the steps to the front porch and open the door, coming to a stop when his handsome face greets me with a smile.

“Hey, baby.” Noah practically yanks me through the door by my hand, pulling my body flush against his as he plants a hard kiss on my lips. “We’re going camping tonight.”