Page 50 of Love: Take Two

It's seriously scary how insightful he is. I hesitate for the briefest moment before whispering,

"Yes. I can't get her out of my head. We're together all day, every day. And she looks…," I sigh. "She looks incredible. How am I not supposed to want her?"

I get distracted just thinking about her. Those thick thighs I'd like to sink my fingers into. Those luscious breasts that make my mouth water when they peek out from under her suit jackets. That cute little belly I want to squeeze as I take her from behind. She's a wet dream of feminine softness that keeps me up most nights.

"But obviously you're not going to act on those feelings," Henry says, and I'm not the only one to turn and gawk at him.

"What do you mean?" Damon asks. We're all listening, our drinks forgotten.

"I mean," Henry begins, squaring his shoulders, "that it would be a horrible idea to start something while you're on a job together. Mixing business and pleasure often leads to disaster."

"You can't be serious," I laugh sarcastically.

"Yeah," Cory agrees. "Didn't you just marry a woman who was your paralegal for nearly a decade?"

"He can't help it," I snarl. Anger heats my blood, and it feels good. I had to forgive my future sister-in-law, but I candefinitelyrip my twin a new one. "He's not even Henry right now; he's just channeling Dad."

"Shut up," Henry snaps. "I'm just being practical. It worked out for me and Camila, but you know that's not the norm. How are you going to keep coming to set when things go bad between you two?"

"Henry, that's not cool," Damon scolds.

I chug the rest of my beer and stand.

"Congratulations on your wedding, asshole. Let Mom and Dad know I'm not coming tonight."

"Noah, wait!" Adam calls after me, but I don't stop.

I don't know if Awa and I have any chance of a future together. Hell, maybe Iamstupid for even considering it with so much stacked against us. What Idoknow is that my brothers won't be any help. Not with this; not anymore. And if I want Awa, I need to stop fucking around and tell her how I feel.

Chapter twenty-seven

Awa

Something's different with Noah today.

This morning, when I dumped the latte he bought me into the nearest trashcan as usual, he just winked, pulled another steaming cup from behind his back, and then walked off to talk to Rory. I was so stunned, I just watched him leave. I also drank the second latte; one wasted coffee per day is my limit.

Even though he'd been in back-to-back calls this morning, pacing next to the wardrobe trailer while speaking to the Barclays Center's marketing team from the sound of it, then a studio hoping to option one of his client's pilots, he kept staring at me.Staring. Not sneaking glances. It's like hewantedme to see that he was checking me out.

The second time I looked up and found his eyes on me, his gaze hungry, I decided I needed to talk to Tabitha right thatmoment and practically ran off. I could swear I heard him chuckle behind me.

And why am I watching him, anyway? I made up my mind weeks ago that Noah was in the "look, but don't touch" box and I'd save all my touching for late nights by myself remembering the wicked curl of his lips or the sure stride of his steps whenever he went to tell someone off. Yes, he is a sight to behold, but on set, he's strictly off-limits. He's already burned me once; I prefer to leave the drama to the actors.

"Did you bring something here, or are you heading home to change?"

I gasp. I hadn't heard him approach.

"Sorry!" he says, looking chagrined. "I would've tapped you on the shoulder, but I thought that would startle you. Guess I picked wrong, huh?"

I use every ounce of willpower not to respond to the innocent smile he's giving me. I know it's an act.

"It's fine," I answer. I keep my voice cold and pull my steadfast composure even tighter around myself. "And to answer your question, I brought something. My place is on the Upper East Side, and there's no way I'd make tonight's event if I had to go home first."

His smile gets impossibly wider. Apparently that was the right answer, though I must've missed the question.

"Great! I did too. That means we can share a cab."

"W-wait a second!" I shout, hastily rising from my chair to chase after him before he can disappear into the sea of castand crew. "What are you talking about? Why would we share a cab?"