A Shot at Love

Truly Madly Deeply

"Easily the best clam chowder I've ever had!" I giggle, my wine-stained lips curling into a smile as I glance at Noah.

"I told you," Noah grins back, shifting into a more comfortable position on the gray sectional. The living room suite table is covered with half-eaten boxes of food and our empty wine glasses. "So, what did you think about San Francisco?" he asks.

"It was cool! I obviously loved Umbrella Alley and Fisherman's Wharf. Musee Mechanique was interesting too," I laugh, shrugging my shoulders. "But honestly, the best part was the company."

"Don't shrug your shoulders at me. That's inviting," Noah eyes me while resting his hand on the couch pillow.

"Maybe I want it to be inviting," I flirtatiously suggest.

"I believe it was you who once said, 'It'll be worth the wait,'" he smirks.

"Well played, Westbrook." I grin.

"Checkmate," Noah smugly delivers.

"You know, I had the strangest interaction in the restaurant bathroom tonight," I blurt out.

"What happened? You were quiet on the way back. Is everything okay?" Noah asks, pouring more wine into our glasses.

"Oh, I'm fine. But this woman cornered me and I think she noticed us in the restaurant." I reply, taking the glass of wine from Noah.

"What do you mean?" His tone tinges with suspicion.

"It was weird. She kept asking if we were dating-"

"What did you tell her?" Noah asks, curiosity evident in his voice.

I meet his gaze, a half-smile forming on my face. "The truth. That we're just friends."

Noah tosses me an eye roll, clearly unamused. "So that was it?"

"Well... she also made some comments about how men like you aren't faithful."

"And how would she know anything about me?" he questions skeptically.

"I believe she was more so commenting on your looks. Saying how the more attractive a man is, the more trouble they bring. To be careful because men like you aren't loyal to one relationship."

"So you agree with her? You find me attractive?" His smile is cunning, full-on charming.

"Noah," I look down bashfully, circling my finger around the top of my wine glass. "I'm pretty sure my body has shown you a time or two just how attractive I find you."

Noah's demeanor shifts slightly as he reaches for his wine, taking a sip. "Well, the feeling is mutual. I don't know who this woman was, but she doesn't know me, my life, my values, or my past. You have nothing to worry about, Kingston. She's not the one here with me."

"No, I know. It just caught me off guard. It felt like she knew me or something," I tell him.

"It won't be the last time someone has an opinion about us or our relationship. You have to tune the noise out."

"About us, huh?" I tease. "After my last attempt at a relationship, I'm not even sure how to navigate this world."

"It's simple, trust and honesty," Noah says softly, his eyes meeting mine over the rim of his wine glass.

"That sounds good in theory. Trust is something that's earned over time. Let's start with honesty," I propose.

"What do you want to know?" Noah asks, his voice gentle.

"Hmm, okay...what's a sexual desire you've always had but never done?"

Noah nearly chokes on his wine, looking up at me with surprise. "I've always been taught ladies, first," he says, smiling coyly. "After you."