After Hours

Chapter 35

Gathering all of my notes, I place them neatly in an empty binder labeled Noah Carter followed by today's date. Noah stands, clearing his throat. "Would you like to grab a drink at the bar next door and catch up?"

Looking up at him I frown. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Just one drink," he pleads. "You're the only person I talked to."

Taking a deep breath, I find myself agreeing before I can really think about it. Shit, Jackson's going to be pissed when I tell him. After taking care of my things, I follow him out, wishing my assistant a good night as I go. She gives me a questioning look but doesn't say anything. When we get to the bar, he sit at a high table for two. "I'll get us each a drink," he says before walking away.

Grabbing my phone, I begin typing Jackson a message. After informing him of my whereabouts, I tuck my phone away. Noah returns with our drinks and I can't help but notice he remembered my favorite drink. Taking a sip, I look up at him. "I can't stay for long. I have an early morning."

He sighs. "I just was to talk. How are you?"

I shift uncomfortably. Surely he has heard about my engagement already. "I'm good. Great actually. Jackson proposed and I said yes."

He nods slowly, looking down at his drink. "I was hoping the magazines were all a lie."

I bite my lip. Why would he think that? "Noah, what you and I had was great but... What Jackson and I have is better. You and I could have been if it weren't for you cheating. If this is all your way of trying to get me back then I'm sorry but it won't happen."

He takes a drink of his beer and we sit in silence for a long moment. "I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you," he says softly. "You deserve the world and I can't give it to you but I know Jackson can. I know I talked a lot of shit about him when you and I first met but he is a good man. I guess my hatred for him was from being jealous. He's rich, successful, and gets anything he wants including the women."

I frown. "Noah, you're rich and successful too. You've worked so hard for everything you have and I am so proud of how far you've come in the last two years. You've grown up a lot and even though you had a set back, I know you'll get back on the right path."

His lips part to speak but his mouth quickly snaps shut when his eyes move past me. I don't even have to look to know Jackson is here. Besides his reaction giving it away, something changes in the air when he walks in. "Noah," he says curtly when he reaches the table.

"Jackson," Noah says, holding out his hand.

Much to my surprise Jackson shakes it firmly before turning to me. "Would you like to finish your drink before we go?" he asks.

Something tells me that I should go now so holding his gaze, I raise my glass to my lips and take a ample sip. I notice that there is something off about him but I can't quite put my finger on it. Something's wrong. Placing my glass down, I take his proffered hand and place my feet to the ground. "Thank you," I say to Noah. "It was nice talking with you," I smile.

"Likewise," he nods before glancing at Jackson uncertainly.

"Goodnight," Jackson says, lacing his fingers with mine.

We walk outside where there is a classic black Lincoln Town Car limo. I stare up at him in confusion but he gives nothing away. Opening the door he allows me to slide in before he follows suit. When the limo begins moving, he presses a button and a screen goes up between us and the driver. The windows are tinted enough to give us complete privacy on this dark night. "Jackson?" I ask softly. He turns towards me and I furrow my eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"After you left, my mother called and asked me about our trip in Hawaii. Apparently my brother hinted at problems between the couple's in the group when he was talking to her earlier so she decided to be nosy as usual and question me on what happened," he begins. "So I'd like to truly apologize to you because I feel like back in Hawaii I mainly apologized because you were mad at me."

At this I frown. How can I trust him when he admits things like this? He's supposed to be honest with me and this is an issue we continue to have. "What makes it so meaningful now?" I ask, afraid of the answer.

He sighs. "She forced me to look at things from another perspective and realize how all these double standards are wrong. I made it clear that I disliked you hanging out with another man but didn't think about it from your point of view when I was hanging out with Sophie," he says. "I truly am sorry for acting the way I did and I hope you'll forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you," I say, still confounded by all of this. "But why all of this?"

He looks down and I think he blushes a little but it's too dark to be sure. "When you texted me about getting a drink with Noah I ordered a limo to pick me up."

"Why?"

"I needed reassurance," he shrugs, his eyes meeting mine again.

"Reassurance?" I repeat in disbelief.

He nods. "I'm scared you'll leave me again."

"Why?" I breathe.

What signs have I given him that I might go? "You were so hesitant about the baby thing and I don't want you to feel forced into it. And I don't want you to feel rushed into marriage. If you want to wait a while longer all you have to do is say so. I'll do anything to ensure you're happy."

I sit there for a long moment thinking. The idea of a baby has always been bittersweet. I've thought about having a child before but memories of my childhood always ruined it for me but things are so much better now. As for the marriage part, if we would have worked out our problems the first time we'd most likely already be married. The part that confuses me is the fact that me seeing Noah set all of this off. "Do you think I'd go back to Noah if you and I didn't work out?" I ask.

He shrugs. "You were considering staying with him before we were official."

I frown. "I would never go back to him. He'll always have a special place in my heart but he ruined things for us. The only reason why I considered staying was because I was confused and hurt and he kept sweet talking me," I pause. "Jackson, you're my entire world and I can't wait to call you my husband. The idea of starting a family with you is exhilarating."

Grinning from ear to ear, he pulls me onto his lap and I know I gave him the reassurance he needed. His lips press to mine as his hands slide up my thighs beneath my dress.

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