The Best is Yet to Come

Twenty Four: Noah

Noah walks into an unfamiliar dress shop in the middle of town, eyes peeled for an Amy. He was sure they had been introduced at one of the many parties his mother hosted but for the life of him he couldn't remember what this woman looked like.

The lady at the reservations desk must have seen how lost he looked because five seconds after he entered the store, an attractive blonde woman in heels rushes over.

"Good afternoon, sir. Is there something I can help you with?" Her smile seems rehearsed but Noah can't help but notice the sparkle in her eyes as she rakes them down his body and back up again.

Pretending not to notice, he says, "Hi! I'm looking for Amy? She's supposed to be helping a friend of mine out. My mother sent me; I'm Noah Dean." Noah hated having to use his full name for effect but he couldn't deny that sometimes it came in handy.

"Of course, sir. I'll let her know you're here." She smiles politely, pausing looking at him a few beats too long.

"Thank you....Violet ," Noah nods at her name tag and she blushes. Jesus, I didn't even do anything.

Violet leaves to go find Amy, leaving Noah waiting by the counter. The shop was very fancy, complete with several chandeliers, white leather couches and racks that held hundreds of dresses. Noah takes a mint from the glass bowl sitting on the counter, unwrapping and popping it in his mouth.

Noah looks around, intending to peruse around the shop but stops when he hears someone enter the store behind him.

Emma is standing in the doorway, wearing jean shorts and a purple T-shirt. Her eyes light up when she sees him, a beautiful smile splayed across her lips. She grips the straps of her bag tightly and walks over to him.

Noah makes the executive decision to hug her when she approaches, using his big arms to engulf her in his. She seems surprised but doesn't fight it, wrapping her small arms tightly around his waist.

He pulls back but grabs ahold of her hand.

"Hi" he breathes, barely able to contain his smile. Her curly hair was up in a bun today and he couldn't stop looking at her neck. Noticing his gaze, Emma smiles shyly but her eyes are bright with excitement.

Violet comes back, this time approaching his date. "You must be Emma, Dear. Follow me to your dressing room." She says and leads them into the depths of the store, Noah's hand wrapped tightly in Emma's.

Violet brings them to a private room, courtesy of Evelyn Dean, with a changing booth, a stage with several mirrors and more white leather couches.

"My name is Violet and will be assisting you today," she smiles at Emma. "Feel free to browse the dresses we have in the showcase room or on any of the racks out front. I'll be bringing you dresses periodically as well that I think will be a good fit." She tells her.

Emma thanks her and Violet leaves the room, but not before giving Noah a look that he hopes Emma doesn't notice.

Finally alone, Noah kisses the hand held tightly in his and looks at Emma with molten eyes. "I've missed you." he whispers.

She looks up at him. "It's only been a few hours." She reasons but then she bites her lip and Noah's face grows hot. "But I've missed you, too." She admits quietly.

The last time Noah saw her was when he left her panting on the couch after their kiss. He walks Emma out of their room and into the busy shop, hoping that having eye witnesses might motivate him to keep his hands off her.

"So," Emma starts, "a charity event?" She asks him, starting to flip through the dresses on the rack.

"My mother is hosting. She does things like this all the time." Noah explains.

Emma stops and pulls out a sparkly red dress.

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes! Pick that one!

"That's a nice one." Noah spits out and she smiles, folding the dress over her arm.

"What should I be prepared for? Dinner? Dancing?" She asks, pausing to pull out a silver dress. She looks it over and changes her mind, putting it back on the rack.

"Dinner, dancing, insignificant small talk with a bunch of rich sixty-year-olds," Noah laughs. "Typically, I try to get out of these events but I figured I'd have a lot more fun if you came with me."

Emma's cheeks turn that delicious shade of pink. Noah pulls out a laced light blue dress and holds it up for her to see.

"How about this one?" He asks. She nods her head in approval and adds it to the growing pile of fabric in her arms.

Emma's eyes look cautious when she looks up at him. "Are you sure you want to take me?" She asks.

Noah's eyebrows raise in response. "Are you kidding me? Of course I'm taking you! I'd jump on any opportunity to show you off!"

"I'm hardly a trophy" Emma laughs, insecurity written all over her face.

Is she joking?

"Doesn't matter what you think." Noah smiles and gives her a smug look. "I'm the one who's won."

He eyes another sparkly piece on the rack and places a pink dress on top of her growing pile. "Try this one, too."

Emma looks down at her collection of dresses. "I guess we can start with these." she says and walks past him towards their dressing room.

Noah allows some space between them as she walks ahead, looking at her the whole way back.