Midnight's Sweet Kiss (8 page)

“Hey, it happened before. Or did you forget?”

He winced. Leave it to his good buddy to bring up that page out of his history book. “Of course I didn’t, but that’s not what’s happening here.”

“Whatever, man. I thought you called me for advice.”

“No, I called you for a favor. Can I count on your help or are you going to bail on me?”

“You jerk, you know I’ll help. Tell me what time and where.”

Chapter Six

Sophie felt more human after a shower and fresh clothes, but the weight of pressure on her shoulders grew heavier. This wasn’t going to work. She might as well give up the dream now. It seemed easier.

Dressed in a tight A-line black skirt and an ivory blouse she at least looked the part of professional. She added her favorite pearls to complete the look. From her bag she pulled out her cosmetics case and applied her makeup with a slight hand. Her cheeks were still the color of pink rose petals, but the light had gone out of her eyes. A little more mascara and eyeliner helped her look passable.

When she walked out of the bedroom, Noah’s brows shot up, followed by a drawn out whistle. “You’re looking fine.”

She eyed his dark jeans and a charcoal long sleeve shirt and thought the same.

“The fact you’re hot is a given,” she said.

He paused in mid-step and she watched his eyes brighten. “I’m not used to flattery, but I’m not about to complain. I kind of like it.” Noah handed her a mug of steaming hot coffee and took a seat on the couch.

“I read over your speech and what you have is very good. Though all the scratch outs made it hard to read without squinting. I think if you’re serious about wanting to impress them, you need to work in some props and visuals. Something a little over the top that will escalate a regular presentation into one that will make them take notice.”

Sophie sighed. “I don’t have time to buy props or make posters.” Her stomach did another tumble and she realized again what a mistake she was making. Seemed she kept making them on a regular basis. She raised her hand to her head and kneaded her temples with her thumb and pointer finger. “No, you know what, it doesn’t matter anyhow. I’m not going through with it. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Oh come on. Your face, hell your whole body lights up when you talk about Greece. I hear the passion when you talk about Greek culture. It means more to you than you care to admit.”

How could this guy know her so well? She took a sip of coffee and hoped it would calm her nerves. “Maybe it is my passion, but I didn’t come all the way here to make a fool of myself, though it seems I’ve done that a few times already.” The whole idea was making her much too nervous. When she got like this it was difficult to convince herself to do anything but run away.

“In the cab you told me you were here to start over,” said Noah. “You mentioned a new place to live, a new job, and a new life. You can still have all that if you want it.”

“I
do
want those things.”

“Good. I’m going to help you and I promise you’ll be a big hit.”

She crossed her arms. “Why do you want to help me so bad?”

“I have my reasons.” Those words, the same ones Kyle had first used, rubbed her the wrong way. Her insides trembled.

“You already got me into your bed,” she said matter-of-factly. “What more do you want?”

He gave her a sharp look and she wished she could take her words back.

“So you
do
think I have an agenda,” he challenged. “Someone can’t do something nice for you unless they have an agenda?”

“You’ve been pretty damn smooth,” she corrected. “Haven’t things played out the way you wanted? You probably have a list tucked away in your back pocket. Let’s see. Schmooze the girl. Show her a good time. Give her a kiss that sweeps her off her feet. Take her back home and fuck her. Later meet with your friends so they can give you high-fives and buy you a round of drinks. How many times has this scenario worked for you in the past, or is this your New Year’s ritual?”

The words were rushing out of her like some freaking geyser and she didn’t know why. They were laced with anger and accusations that were geared toward Kyle, not Noah. If she had a bagel or large pastry nearby she’d shove it in her mouth to keep anything else ugly and rude from spilling out. God, what was the matter with her? She needed to get out of his place, out of New York, and where? Would it ever sink in that she didn’t have a home to go to?

Sophie set the coffee down, nearly spilling it, and started to pace. Her pulse pounded and she imagined herself a rat in a cage unable to find the cheese. Running around in circles over and over, nowhere to go, no one to guide her. Ugh, she wanted to scream.

Noah stepped in front of her, barring her way. She took a step back and he reached out toward her, cupping her shoulders in his warm hands.

“I realize we don’t know each other very well,” he said, his jaw slightly tensed, “and that is part of the fun of meeting someone new. We can enjoy each other’s company without all the baggage. But through it all you’ve been quick to judge me and my intentions.”

Judged? The word almost made her laugh. She’d the one who has been judged. Poor little girl from Oregon gets played by millionaire boyfriend and local cabbie swoops in to save the day. To him she was nothing more than a charity case. He didn’t have to say it, she already knew. Noah pitied her, Tate considered her a hot mess, and Kyle thought her a jealous bitch.

Sophie frowned. “How have
I
judged
you
?”

“With your assumption that I somehow feel sorry for you, when the truth of it all is that I happen to care about you.”

She jutted her chin out. “We don’t know one another. What’s to care about?”

Noah released her shoulders and planted his hands on his hips. “You know, I’m not from New York, either. I’m from Wisconsin. I came here and I got burned, just like you, though I admit not on the first day out.”

Sophie’s mouth softened. She hadn’t expected to hear that. “Well, umm, I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

His lips pressed tight together and then he exhaled. “I followed a woman here because she was passionate about being a dancer, and this was supposed to be her big break. This was her dream, to live here and become famous. You know being in the ballets and musicals, all that stuff. At the time I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, which career path to take, and I didn’t want to hold her back so I made it my dream too. It all fell apart a couple months later.”

Her chest tightened. He really did know how it felt. “How did it fall apart? I mean, you don’t have to say if you don’t want.”

“She found someone who did share her dream, not someone who only pretended. And they ended up with everything I owned, including my money. I was left with nothing.”

Sophie circled her toe along the floor. “I’m so sorry.”

His brow arched. “I hope that isn’t pity in your voice.”

She bit her lip. “No. If it sounded that way, it wasn’t intentional.”

“Good, because I didn’t pity myself, I just tried to survive. I thought I didn’t need anyone’s help, until Tate came along. I realized I did need help. I’d been sleeping on the street for a week and he gave me a place to stay, told me of a job offer as a cabbie, and the rest is history. It’s why he’s protective over me. He’s seen me rush into things and take the fall for it.”

“I guess the hot mess comment makes more sense.” She’d meant it in a way to lighten things up.

Noah didn’t say anything for several minutes and then he gave her a lopsided grin that made her want to melt. “Yeah, but it’s rare when Tate thinks before he speaks. Anyhow, I never meant to share that bit about myself, but I wanted you to know that I
do
know what it’s like to have what you think is your future all planned out and watch it go up in flames. I don’t feel sorry for you at all. I happen to know what it’s like to be lost. To need help and not know how to ask. It’s great when someone helps and isn’t looking for anything in return.”

Sophie stepped closer to him and shrugged. “I didn’t see that coming. I’m sorry for what I said before. I didn’t mean any of it.”

He smiled. “It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. I took something out on you meant for someone else.”

“I knew that, and it’s in the past.” He picked up her mug and handed it to her. “Right now I want you to finish your coffee while I tell you what I’ve got planned.”

“What’s the point?”

“The point is, I’ve got a thing for you.”

Her breath rushed out.

“You do?”

“Yeah, I do. I just got to know you and you’ve got me intrigued to know more. So if I can help find a reason to make you want to stay and tough it out here in New York, it’s worth it to me.”

God she was such a girl. She felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes and wanted to stop them before they…nope, too late. There they were. “Are you sure?” She squeaked out.

He took her face into the safe and warm confines of his palms and thumbed away the tears. “Have I steered you wrong so far?”

“No.”

“Did you get that?” He chuckled, obviously amused by something he’d said.

Sophie shook her head. “I think I’m lost.”

“I asked if I steered you wrong. Forget it. It’s cab humor.”

She repeated the words to herself and then groaned. “That was bad.”

“Yeah, I’m not proud. But I promise that the idea I came up with is very good.”

*****

Sophie didn’t think she could pull it off, but she was going to try. She loved Noah’s idea, and hoped the committee would too.

At noon the woman behind the desk called out her name and she stood, her legs like rubber, and walked into the large office. Her entourage of Noah, Tate, and their friend Benji followed dressed in togas. Tate’s mother, grandmother, and two sisters followed wheeling in a Greek feast, and a few other family members carried in props. They set the two Greek columns down, one on either side of the room and laid a few stone tablets made from spray painted cardboard to make it look like crumbled ruins. Tate’s dad brought in a makeshift olive tree, also made from cardboard and a few other decorations to give it an authentic look.

Sophie watched the expressions of the committee. Gone were their stern looks and folded arms. They smiled and rubbed their hands together while Tate’s family served them their house specials on silver platters. Noah and Tate wandered around serving drinks, and Benji played Greek music from his portable stereo.

When she was ready, she started the verbal part of her presentation. She’d done her best to memorize it on the drive over, but the words flowed with a life of their own. She let all her tension go and talked about Greece the way she’d always envisioned it. Passion led her words and all eyes were on her, even Tate’s family looked at her with pride.

At the end she thanked them for the opportunity to share her knowledge and served them a batch of homemade baklava. While they ate she stood off to the side, reminding herself to breathe. Whether she pulled it off or not, she’d given it her best shot. Now she’d have to wait and find out what they thought. For now she enjoyed watching Noah flex his muscles as he poured the drinks. She’d have no problem with him wearing a toga all the time. Very drool worthy.

She wiped her mouth.

“I saw that.”

She turned to see Tate wearing his toga and a smirk.

“Pardon?”

“You were drooling over that Greek god over there,” he said, nudging his chin toward Noah.

Sophie chuckled. “No, I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

“Okay fine, I was.”

“Uh huh. Anyhow, I wanted to come over and apologize in person for my thoughtless comment last night. I didn’t know you and I sure as he…heck didn’t have any right to assume I knew you.”

“It’s okay, really. You were looking out for your friend and I think that’s cool. I have a friend who would do the same for me. Noah told me about his last relationship, so it makes sense you’d be looking out for him.”