Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) (3 page)

Chapter Five

Carly

“And you think we’ll find him there tonight?”

Max and I have been in New Orleans for about a week. We’ve already visited all the places Max thought he might visit. Realistically, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I’m determined to remain optimistic about the situation. With my hair wrapped in a towel, I step out of the hotel bathroom feeling refreshed after my shower.

“I think so. The PI said he followed him there several times, always on Thursday nights.”

“But why Thursdays?”

“Evidently, that’s when the chef makes a particular dish. It doesn’t really surprise me, though. Noah loves crawfish and potatoes, so any dish that puts the two together is bound to be on his favorites list. I called the restaurant while you were showering and verified that’s tonight’s special.” Max looks over to me and gives me a warm smile. “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”

“We have to.” I bite my lip and stare out the open window. “When should we go?”

“As soon as you’re ready, beautiful Carly.”

I beam at his sweet nickname, but part of me knows that without Noah here, I’m only feeling half the joy I should. We should all be together, the three of us. Why did Noah have to choose that one moment of my entire trip to come and check on me? If only he had come the day before or the day after, he wouldn’t have heard me babbling on…

No, I can’t think like that.

Max told me it isn’t my fault, and I have to start believing that. If I don’t, I may lose my fortitude to keep looking, and I’ll never give up on Noah.

“Okay. Let me just throw something on. What’s the attire?”

“I’m thinking semi-casual.” Max turns to use the mirror in the bathroom to straighten his hair.

“I packed just the thing.” I run to the small closet and extract a flowing, ankle-length summer dress with a flower print. After putting it on, I wonder if the night air might become chilly against my bare arms. Not wanting to change out of the sleeveless dress, I grab a cardigan to put over my arms.

When I’m finally dressed, Max sneaks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His gaze meets mine reflected in the mirror. “And you do look beautiful, Carly.”

Once again, I’m blushing as he leans in and places a kiss on the inside of my neck. My skin tingles at the sensation of his touch on my body, making me long for him to hold me forever.

“Ready?” He twirls me around. I can’t help but giggle as he watches my dress dance around my legs.

“Ready.” I smile and offer a quick nod.

We step outside, and walk straight into the cool breeze. I’m suddenly very glad I decided on the light sweater. It’s around seven o’clock as we make our way down the small street and turn onto Bourbon. The popular street is already buzzing with partiers.

A tingle of excitement flows through me as the atmosphere of the French Quarter continues to seep into my soul. It’s obvious why Noah loves this city so much.

The sounds of jazz music flood my ears as we step off the sidewalk and into the middle of the street. Neon lights flash all around us. The reds, yellows, blues, and greens invite us to partake in an array of drinks and food designed to ensure a wonderful evening. From the doorways of the clubs we pass, ladies dressed in skimpy burlesque-type outfits try to catch our attention, attempting to get us into their clubs. Other doorways display buff men who are working security for the bars. They call out and invite us to check out their live entertainment.

I place my right hand through the crook of Max’s elbow. He draws me to him, bending his elbow to capture my hand while he places his free hand on top of mine and rubs it gently.

The guys up on the balconies of the various clubs and hotels that line the street are hilarious. Their catcalls to some of the scantily clad women walking the street are almost lost among the loud music playing all around us.

A few of the women acquiesce to the calls of “take it off,” lifting their shirts and exposing their breasts for the strangers. The guys whoop and whistle before rewarding the drunken girl with a strands of plastic beads.

“You best not be watching,” I whisper into Max’s ear as we pass a crowd that’s formed around one of the girls.

Max turns and gives me a wink. “As long as you’re not watching either.”

It takes me a few moments to realize what he means. Up ahead, a very muscular and toned young guy is stripping out of his shirt for a small group of women. They whoop and holler just as loud as the guys from and start running their hands up and down his torso as he gyrates his pelvis in stripper fashion to get the full neck of beads he’s now wearing.

“The only person I want to see doing that is you,” I say with a chuckle as I nuzzle in closer to him.

Max leans in and kisses the top of my head as we continue down Bourbon. “Maybe I need to stop in one of the shops and get some beads for later then.” His grin is wide as his eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Maybe.” I peek at him from under my lashes. “But I bet I can get you to do it for me without the bribery.”

He laughs, a hearty growl rumbling from his chest. “I bet you can.” After a few seconds, Max points to an intersection. “I think we turn here.”

A small shop on the corner claims it has the best New Orleans pralines in town. Through the windows lining the front wall, various trinkets and souvenirs call out to passersby. The typical toys to help remind people of their trip to the Crescent City.

A few storefronts past the praline shop, we come upon a small restaurant nestled into the street corner. The windows lining the place are made of large wooden shutters that have been opened to allow the night air to flow through the dining room. As we pass and make our way to the front entrance, the sounds of silverware and chatter are barely heard over the live band playing in the back corner.

We duck into the restaurant and wait at the entrance to be seated. A young girl with her blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail greets us and takes us to a table for two. It’s located in the center of the dining room. A long bar spans the back of the restaurant and glass shelves line a long mirror behind it, providing easy access to the various liquors they offer.

Cattycorner to the bar, the band is set up on a small, one foot high stage. The trio playing the melodious tune is made up of a keyboardist and two guitar players, each with a microphone near them to sing into.

“This place is wonderful.” I look over to Max.

“I definitely see the appeal for Noah.” He nods and continues to scan the room. “I just pray he comes in tonight.” Max looks over the diners revolving around us. Neither of us see Noah sitting amongst them. When the waiter comes to take our drink order, Max orders a Thai iced tea, and I ask for a glass of white wine.

The band starts an upbeat song as the waiter returns with our drinks and takes our food order. As if in honor of Noah, we both order the chef’s special without having glanced at the other menu items.

For a few moments, we sit in silence. We’re focused on scanning the room and watching the entrance for any sign of Noah. When the band begins to play a soft ballad, Max extends his hand.

“May I?” he asks.

Placing my hand in his, I smile. “Of course.”

He sweeps me up from my chair and places his hand behind my back, pulling me to him. We sway with the music next to our table as it lulls us with its melody. As soon as the tune finishes, everyone in the restaurant applauds the band. When they announce a fifteen-minute break, Max gives me a quick peck and guides me back to my seat.

The waiter delivers our food and we’re just starting to dig in when my eye catches the thick outline of a guy walking into the restaurant. His dark hair and chocolate eyes are exactly the way I remember them.

It’s Noah.

“Max, he’s here.”

Max is careful not to turn around abruptly. We don’t want to scare him away and have to look for him all over again. “Tell me when he’s seated and try not to let him see you.”

From under a curtain of my hair, I watch the hostess guide Noah to a small table near one of the open windows. Once he’s seated, my gaze shifts to Max and I nod once.

Max turns toward the spot where I’m looking. I know when he’s spotted him because a sigh of relief emits from his chest instinctively. Pushing his chair back slightly, Max’s slim frame rises from his chair. The muscles in his chin tighten as the determination in his brow increases. He’s not going to let Noah get away.

Moving slowly across the restaurant, Max approaches Noah. When he reaches him, Noah looks up, apparently expecting to see a waiter. His look of shock quickly gives way to anger as his features become hardened.

I can’t hear what they’re saying to each other, but their discussion looks heated.

Unable to wait any longer, I walk toward them.

“Why are you here?” Noah is trying to keep his voice controlled but I can hear the shock and concern.

“Because you’re being an ass. We came to find you―to bring you home.”

“You shouldn’t have―” Before Noah can finish his statement, he notices me approaching. His mouth shuts and his eyes become misty at the sight of both Max and me standing in front of him.

“Noah…” Tears begin to fill my eyes. “God, I’ve missed you so much.” I walk closer and he stands up, wrapping his arms around me in a huge bear hug.

“Carly.” There’s a catch in his throat that makes him sound as though he’s crying. Max joins the circular hug and pulls both of us tightly to him.

“How did you… Why…” Noah’s confusion is apparent as he pulls back and looks between us.

“Noah.” I hold his hand against my chest. “You shouldn’t have run away from us.”

He looks down sheepishly, a frown turning the corners of his mouth. “Carly, I know that with the two of us, you can’t have the marriage you want…or dream of.”

My eyelids lower as my gaze softens. “Oh, Noah. I’m so sorry you heard me say those things. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

“Maybe not, but it’s definitely something you think about.” Noah looks at me pointedly. “You and Max can have that. I want you both to be happy.”

“Well, what you did was shitty, Noah. All you’ve done is make us miserable.”

Noah’s eyes pop upward, dancing between the two of us. “Really?”

“Of course, silly.” I step against his chest and rest my forehead on his shoulder. “We love you. Things aren’t the same without you.”

“But what about your dream wedding…”

“A wedding is a one-day affair, Noah.” I glance quickly over to Max and then back to him. “What I want is a lifetime, and I want that with you
and
Max.”

“That’s what I want too,” Max concurs. “The two of you help make my life complete. I don’t want to lose either of you.”

I’ve never seen Noah emotional before. His usual tough exterior fades away as he realizes the truth of what we’re saying. A single tear escapes his lid and falls down his tanned face.

“I love you guys too.” He smiles at the two of us. “I just wanted you both to have the life you deserve.”

“Well, then, you’ll need to come home because it’s the only way that can happen.” Max grabs his step-brother by the other shoulder and pulls him into another hug.

When we finally pull apart, I glance around the room and realize no one is paying any attention to us. The world has changed some, at least in New Orleans it has. Our relationship, whatever people may think it is, doesn’t seem to bother anyone. Maybe this will work out better than I originally thought.

Max flags down the waiter, who walks over to us.

“Yes, sir,” he says, observing the three of us.

“We need to add a seat to our table.”

“Right away, sir. Give me just a moment.”

With that, the waiter heads to our table and moves us to a nice four-top. I know our dishes have gone cold by now, but Max surprises me when we walk over to our new seats. “Please have the chef make three new specials for us. We’ll pay for fresh dishes.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get the orders in now.”

Max, Noah, and I sit down, each man flanking a side of me. I can finally relax for the first time in weeks. The weight on my chest is gone and I can finally pull in a full breath of air.

Noah looks at me and then at Max. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I made you both worry about me and for…” Noah sighs.

Max’s deep voice picks up the conversation. “Nothing more to worry about or be sorry for. I’m just glad we found you.”

I reach out to the men next to me and I clasp their hands in mine. Looking at Noah, I stare right into his eyes. “You’re never to leave us again. Do you understand?”

Noah holds my gaze. My more dominant side is taking over and running away with my words before I realize what I’m saying. His hand grips mine tightly as he glances at Max and then back to me. His face brightens in a broad grin as a fire builds behind his lids.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says in a raspy tone filled with desire. My body tingles at the sound of his lust and my panties become instantly wet under his gaze. Dinner needs to hurry, because I’m ready to get my men back to the room.