The Pilot And The Dreamer

Chapter 26

I turn towards the voice to see Martin and immediately, I feel anger seep through my veins. I stand up to prepare myself for what is about to come.

"Sweetheart, is everything okay?" Noah comes up next to me and wraps an arm around my waist. He hands me the box and I busy myself with putting the burger inside. I look at Noah to see uncertainty in his eyes, holding a bit of protectiveness as well.

"Noah, this is Martin." I say with a bit of a bite, "The man who completely crushed my career." I walk outside towards the car with Noah on my heels. I feel someone grab my arm that causes me to stop walking. 

"Haz-." Martin says, but Noah steps beside me. 

"I'd let her go if I were you." He says, in a threatening tone, causing Martin to let go of me. 

"I can explain." 

What's there to explain?

Maybe just give him the benefit of the doubt.

I lay a hand on Noah's arm and he leans down towards my ear.

"Are you sure?" He whispers and I nod.

"I feel like I need to hear what he has to say." He nods and stands behind me. "Speak what's on your mind, Martin." 

"I was told that a spot was opening up and I took it." He says with pleading eyes. "If I knew that you had to be fired, because of me, I wouldn't have taken the job. You're someone who is dedicated to their job and I feel extremely guilty, and I just want to apologize." I put a hand on his shoulder.

"I believe you, you just happened to be the unsuspected individual in a situation that you weren't aware of." I say, thanking him before he turns and walks away and Noah moves next to me.

"You know, you didn't have to do that." He says, opening the car door for me. "I would've just told him to go fly a kite." 

"If I was in his shoes, I would've done the exact same thing." I slide into the seat as Noah shuts the door to move over to the driver side. "I wouldn't want any hard feelings between people since I hate conflict." Noah starts the car, but doesn't put it into reverse. I look at him to see him already looking at me.

"You have a heart of gold, my dear." He says, wrapping my hand with his. "That you care about people, no matter if they've done you wrong."

"Except, I haven't forgiven my mother yet." He kisses me on the lips before we pull away back to my apartment. We pull up and Noah helps me carry my things up to the apartment.

"Hazel?" I turn to see Natalie right outside my door. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"My boss fired me." I say and she rushes towards me.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry." I hug her.

"I'll be fine."I say, letting her go. "It's New York, there are thousands of job opportunities that are waiting to be snatched up." I say with a smile, before I see Natalie's facial expression. "Nat?" I lay a hand on her shoulder.

"A detective called about the harassment that Logan has been giving you two." I look at her funny.

"Wait, how did h-" I start, but then pause, turning to face Noah. "Please tell me, you didn't have something to do with it." I'm greeted with silence and I have my answer. I grab the box out of his hands and storm into my apartment. 

"Hazel, I can e-" I slam the door in his face, walking towards the coffee table to set the box down. 

How can you be mad at him? He was just looking out for you.

I lean up against the kitchen island after popping the cork on a bottle of wine and pour myself a glass. 

God, why the fuck am I such a mess?

I take a sip, sliding down the side of the island so I'm sitting on the floor. I hear the door open.

"Hazel? Sweetheart, it's me." Noah's voice rings throughout the apartment. "Haz?" I hear his footsteps move towards the counter and I look up to make eye contact with him. "Hey, what's wrong?" He sits down next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder.

"I'm such a mess. I can't hold down a damn job, my mother has to set me up on dates, I get kidnapped to be married to the most egocentric man that I have ever had the misfortune to meet, and then oh yeah, my job gets taken out from underneath me and my ex-boyfriend is out to get me!" I say at a shriek before I can feel my shoulders shake. Noah takes the glass out of my hands and sets it up on the counter. He stands before disappearing for a minute, when I hear soft music playing from the stereo. He comes back around and offers his hand out to me.

"May I have this dance?" 

He's trying. Give the poor guy a break.

I take his hand and he leads me to the living room, pulling me towards him. I lay my hand on his shoulder while my other hand is encased in his and we slow dance to the music. 

"Don't think about the future or the past, just you and me, right here and right now." He whispers in my ear and I lay my head on his shoulder, taking in the smell of pine trees and a hint of cinnamon. "There is nothing wrong with you, sweetheart, you are the bravest person that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing." I pull away to look into his eyes. 

"Noah, I'm sorry. You are the most magnificent man, who also is an airline pilot, but someone with my history doesn't deserve you." I pause before adding, "That's what happened on the balcony." I pull out of his arms and I can see the hurt flash across his eyes, causing a piercing through my heart. I grab my purse before walking out the door, possibly away from the best thing that could've happened to me.