How to Love Your Neighbour(21)

Noah choked on his bagel, cutting Josh off. His brows furrowed and he came closer, slapping Noah on the arm, which wouldn’t have been at all effective if Noah were actually choking, which he wasn’t. Not really. He’d just swallowed wrong because he realized he’d pretty much asked his assistant out.

Shaking his head, backing up, he grabbed a glass and filled it with water. It was lukewarm but he didn’t care. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Josh lifted his hands. Noah took a deep breath, swallowed down some more water, then forced himself to meet Josh’s gaze.

“I’m not into you,” Noah blurted.

Josh folded his arms over his chest. “Okay. Why’d you ask me out then?”

Every curse word he knew flew through his head. “I didn’t. Well, I didn’t mean to. I’m just trying to make some friends, get to know California. As I was saying it, I heard how it sounded. Then the look on your face. Seriously, man. I’m sorry.” Shit. Was he making it worse? “Not that you aren’t a good-looking guy and all that.”

Josh’s eyes widened. “Jesus Christ, man. Shut up. With all due respect, seeing as you pay me.” Josh burst out laughing.

Noah winced. “I’m into women.”

Josh laughed harder, bending at the waist. “Noted. Me too.” Fortunately, the awkwardness pressing down on him released when their gazes locked and both of them laughed their asses off to the point that Noah’s eyes watered.

“Okay, then. I’m going to get going. Text me with a list of what you need to get done,” Josh said when the laughter tapered off.

Walking him to the door, pushing down the embarrassment, glad as hell his brothers never had to find out about this, he thought about what Josh had said. “I’ll make a list of office furniture. Don’t think I need any design ideas on that front. Just needs to be functional.”

“Sounds good.” Josh opened the door to reveal Grace and another woman standing on his doorstep.

“Hey,” Grace said, her gaze landing on Noah. A zip of pleasure ran through him like a fuse being lit. Her dark hair was in a ponytail, her face makeup-free. She looked happy. Carefree. It’s nothing. Too long alone, that’s all.

“Hi.” He wasn’t quite sure where they stood on the status of their back-and-forth with each other. She’d wanted to throttle him the other day, but last night she’d taken pity on his pathetic painting skills.

Josh stepped back, his mouth slightly open. Grace looked at the woman beside her; then both of them came in. Josh shut the door.

“This is my friend Rosie. Rosie, this is Noah, my neighbor. And?” She looked at Josh, who was looking at Rosie.

“Josh. Josh Langston.” He extended his hand to Rosie, who was staring equally as hard at him. His surfer hair and vibe were a contrast to the tan-skinned woman with black hair, sharp cheekbones, and bright red lips. She was easily six feet tall, making Grace look petite among the three of them.

The air nearly crackled between the two of them, which made it less likely that anyone would notice that Noah couldn’t help looking at Grace, who bit her lip. She arched her brows, her lips twitching. At least he wasn’t imagining things.

Noah clapped his assistant on the shoulder, ending the staring contest. “Did you say you were leaving?”

Josh turned his head long enough to glare at Noah. “No. I thought we were making a list of what you needed.”

Noah didn’t even try to hide his grin. “Right. I forgot. Come on in, ladies. Josh just stocked me up on groceries. Can I get you some coffee? Juice? Soda?” There. He might have stumbled making new friends but he knew how to host. He was a damn good host.

“No, thank you. I wondered if we could borrow the ladder Kyle left in your backyard. Also, Rosie knew you owed me a tour. If you don’t have time now, it’s okay, but if you do, then she wanted to see your place, too.”

There was an odd feeling pressing against his rib cage. He couldn’t explain it. Sharp but not entirely unpleasant. “I have time for a tour. Are you a designer, too, Rosie?”

“I am. I’d say I’m the best in the class but I’m tied with my best friend here,” Rosie said, nudging Grace’s hip.

When Noah glanced at Josh, he saw that his assistant was still in a state of . . . lust? Awe? What the hell was the goofy look on that guy’s face? He’d only ever seen it on Chris’s face before. Uh-oh. Watch out, buddy.

“She’s just saying that so I’ll take it easy on her in the design contest.”

“Interior design, I presume?” Josh asked, finding his voice.

Noah gave him a thumbs-up on his speaking efforts, earning him another glare. “What contest?”

Grace looked at Josh. “Yes.” Then at Noah. “Our teacher pulled some strings to offer one to two students an internship at a prestigious LA-based firm. We have an extracurricular design opportunity if we want to compete for it.”

He might not know her well but he knew that Grace would be all over a competition.

“That’s really great. You’re in school?” Josh asked, leaning one shoulder against the wall, looking far too cozy for a guy who claimed to have things to do.

Rosie stepped closer as she answered him. “We’re finishing up. I cannot wait to be done and start my real life.” Rosie turned in a slow circle, glancing up where the stairs curved to the second level. When she lowered her chin, she met Noah’s gaze and he felt the assessment. Clearly, Grace had mentioned him.