The Best is Yet to Come

Thirty One: Emma

I double check the address in my phone that Noah had sent me and look up at the brick apartment building towering in front of me. I see that Noah has a private entrance to his unit and I rap my knuckles against the large white door, nervously waiting on the steps.

Not a second goes by before the door pulls open, a tall, red-head with sparkling green eyes greets me. An amused smile spreads across his face and I see him examine me from head to toe. I'm assuming this must be Chris.

Reading my mind, he sticks out his right hand. "Christopher Holmes." He says, introducing himself and giving my hand a firm shake.

"Emma Quinn." I return with a smile and his eyes light up with humor.

"Oh, I know who you are." He laughs. "Noah hasn't shut up about you." I can't help but blush at his comment. I'm thankful when Noah appears beside Chris, shooting him a furious glare. Instead of being scared, Chris just laughs louder, shaking his head as he turns and walks back into the apartment, leaving Noah and I alone at the front door.

All traces of annoyance are gone when Noah looks down at me from the doorway. Anger is replaced with kindness and... something else. He steps back, allowing me access into the apartment. I step inside, immediately cupping my sweater sleeve over my nose to stifle the overwhelming scent of chemicals.

It's plainly obvious that only two men reside in the apartment. The tiled entryway leads to a living room that's plainly furnished. Two large black leather couches occupy most of the space. A large glass coffee table and two matching end tables with lamps conclude the furniture pieces. All the walls are bare, a plain eggshell color, apart from the enormous flat screen tv mounted on the north side. Various video game consoles litter the shelf below it.

My nostrils sting and I try to hold back a cough when I turn to Noah, concerned, "Did you clean with bleach today?"

He looks confused, probably wondering how I know this information and gives me a questionable, "uhm.. yeah, why?"

Smiling at his ignorance, I move over to the windows on either side of their tv and lift up the panes, desperate to get some fresh air in here before one of us passes out.

"Make sure you air out the room when using harsh chemicals like this. We're lucky one of you hasn't dropped dead from the fumes." Noah gives me an alarmed look and Chris moves to the kitchen, likely to open the windows in there, too.

Noah walks over to me, tangles his fingers through mine and kisses my forehead. "I'm sorry." He mutters with an apologetic smile. "I only wanted the place to clean when you came to visit." And I'm touched by his thoughtfulness.

"Yeah! He's had me on my hands and knees all afternoon." I hear Chris dramatically claim as he walks back into the living room. He gives me a wink and I giggle at the hidden innuendo.

Noah rolls his eyes, unabashed by Chris's comment and leads us over to one of the couches. The couch is extremely comfortable and I have to remind myself it's probably worth three times my monthly rent.

Chris seats himself on the other couch, plopping down lazily and looks me over. I cross my right leg over my knee, feeling nervous, like an exhibit on display and scoot closer to Noah. He squeezes my hand and I relax, instantly feeling calmer at Noah's touch. 

"So you're the mystery girl." Chris says, giving me a smirk. His features are friendly and good natured which makes me feel better. "I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into with this one." He nods his head towards Noah, poking fun at his friend. I choke out a nervous chuckle.

After Glory's reaction earlier about my date with Noah, it doesn't help that his best friend is trying to warn me off too. I soothe my nerves, reminding myself that Chris is probably just joking but I can't forget the look that Glory had given me.

Not looking particularly amused, Noah looks over at me, already changing the topic. "I thought we could order from Tito's for dinner, if that's ok." He searches my face for approval and I give him a small smile.

"I love Tito's." I assure him, and he lifts himself off the couch and walks into the kitchen. Ten seconds later he emerges with a menu in his hand, returning to his spot beside me. He passes me the menu and I take it, perusing my options.

Meanwhile, Chris walks to a closed door off the living room and enters, leaving the door slightly ajar. The room is dark but from what I can see, it looks like it might be Chris's bedroom. I hear a loud clatter come from the darkened doorway, followed by a swear shouted out by Chris. Noah snorts beside me and then scowls when he sees the box clutched in Chris's hands as he limps back into the living room.

"No! No way. Put it back." Noah says firmly and I recognize a familiar card game in Chris's grasp.

"Aw. Come on!" Chris whines. "Just one game."

"Absolutely not." Noah's tone reminds me of how a parent would talk to a small child, and I laugh. Noah turns to me, "Chris is a cheater and a sore loser. UNO was banned from this house in 2018." He explains.

Chris' face sets in defiance. "But Emma's here. She can referee! I promise I won't cheat." He pleads.

Instead of answering, Noah tosses Chris the worn menu from Tito's and asks him to write down his order.

Leaning in towards me, with Noah's lips inches from my ear, he whispers, "You look lovely tonight."

His breath makes my skin tingle and a pleasant shiver runs down my spine. I look down at my outfit; jeans and a light blue blouse. I didn't think it was anything special. But I smile anyway in thanks.

After Chris and I both write down our orders, Noah steps outside to make the call. As soon as Noah leaves, Chris looks at me.

"Don't believe a word he says. Noah is the cheater, not me." Chris's eyes are wide and urgent, trying to convince me of his innocence.

UNO must really be important to him, I think with a laugh.

"Just wait until you see him play monopoly. He never plays fair." He warns grudgingly.

Noah emerges into the room with a smile. "Food will be here in thirty." He says and walks across the room to his spot next to me. I'm thankful when his fingers twist into mine again, reminding me how much I yearned his touch when he wasn't there.

"Well, if we can't play UNO, what else is there to do?" Chris throws himself back onto the couch, reminding me of a diva having not gotten her way.

"How about monopoly?" Noah suggests, and I hold back a laugh as Chris groans audibly into a pillow.