I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach as I watched Stacey laughing as she looked at Noah, who held Austin on his knee. Noah’s back was to me, but there was no mistaking him. He still wore his officer uniform, and his body dwarfed the small chair he sat in.
I looked back toward Stacey and found she was looking over Noah’s shoulder directly at me. At first I was shocked, but I quickly recovered. Squaring my shoulders, I looked toward the counter and found that Ryan, Amber, and Olivia were watching me too.
I forced a smile and walked toward them, doing my best to not look back at Noah and his new little family. Evasive was what I was shooting for. “Hayden sent me over for his daily fix.” I forced a smile as I stepped around the end of the counter. “So if you would pack him up his usual, I need to run upstairs and grab a couple drinks.”
I continued past the three of them as they stared after me in silence. I pushed through the back door and practically jogged for the stairway that would take me up to my apartment. Once I was safely tucked inside, I leaned back against the door, taking in a calming breath. I hadn’t expected to walk in and find Stacey here, especially not looking so stunning.
The door moved against my back, and I jumped forward as it came open and Amber stepped inside. “Hey,” I said in a rush as I quickly walked toward the refrigerator, pretending she hadn’t just caught me in a moment of weakness.
“Alena,” Amber began as she followed me.
I just wanted to get what I came for and go back to the safety of my store. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I told her as I grabbed the water from the fridge and walked around her.
“He’s just—”
I held my hand up to stop her. “Honestly, Am, just let it go. It’s not my business. We went on a few dates, shared a few kisses. Doesn’t give me any rights to him. I think it’s great he’s getting to know his son. He deserves that. Please, just let the rest go.”
When she offered me a nod, I bit my lip and moved toward the stairs and back toward the bakery’s kitchen. When I reached the swinging doors that led to the front of the bakery, I squared my shoulders and pushed through. Without looking in Noah’s direction, I painted on a smile and put forward my best I-am-fine attitude.
“Hey, Liv, you got my goodies?” I asked Olivia as she shut the lid on the box I knew was meant for Hayden.
“Right here,” she announced a little too loud. I held my breath as I heard the chair to my left squeak against the floor. I saw movement from the corner of my eye, yet I kept my body facing forward.
“Thank you, darlin’,” I said in my best imitation of a country-girl accent. I felt Noah’s presence at my side, but I continued to act as if he had no effect on me. “You should come over later today and look through the items Hayden and I have coming in. I’m more than positive we can put a big ol’ dent in your dad’s paycheck.”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. Amber had gone on and on about her new daughter’s shopping addiction, and I had no doubt this sweet girl would be one of my best customers.
“I’ll be there after three,” Olivia said as she looked over at her father with a gleam in her eyes. Ryan groaned, and it triggered a laugh from me.
“You get my text earlier?” Noah’s deep, rumbling voice broke through my laughter, and I turned quickly to face him. “I was hoping you were free tonight.”
Just over his shoulder, I could see Stacey watching us closely. Her eyes were narrowed in obvious distaste.
“No, I hadn’t looked at my phone. But to answer your question, I’ve got plans.” I took the box Olivia was holding. “See ya later, Liv. I laid out some things I think you’ll love.” I winked at her as I stepped back and put some space between Noah and myself. “Have a good night, Noah.”
I turned toward the door and began walking away without looking back.
By the time I had made it across the street and back inside the store, my confident attitude had crashed and burned. I had a knot in my stomach that made me feel like at any moment I would be running for the bathroom.
Chapter Eight
Noah
“Do you wanna stay for dinner?” Stacey asked as she leaned over, pretending to adjust her shoe. I knew she was trying to give me a view down the front of her shirt, but I wasn’t falling for it. I kept my eyes on hers instead.
“No, I’m planning on getting Austin tomorrow. I got the day off, and I’m gonna take him to the ranch again. Tonight I have somewhere to be, though.”
I stepped back and turned to walk down her parent’s porch steps.