How to Love Your Neighbour(49)

22


Noah pressed Decline when his father’s number popped up on his phone. He didn’t need to speak to him, since he knew exactly how the conversation would go. He did, however, pick up when Wes’s number flashed on the screen.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?”

“It’d be better if my two idiot brothers weren’t screening Dad’s calls. Or if I hadn’t come in to the office today so he couldn’t keep storming in every time one of you ignores him.”

Despite the frustration evident in his brother’s tone, Noah grinned. “Whose fault is that? We both told you to come out here.” Noah poured another cup of coffee. Grace would be there shortly.

“I’m in the middle of three projects right now, all of which Dad lost interest in but I want to see through. Maybe cut me some slack for not having time to come surf or whatever the hell it is you do with all your time.”

Noah’s fingers clenched around the cup. “Actually, asshat, I’m pretty busy myself with this remodel and renovation. This place is going to be featured in Home and Heart magazine.” Telling his brother about the three-on-three event was on the tip of his tongue.

“Shit. That’s huge, man. No wonder you’re dodging Dad’s calls. Congrats. I’m proud of you.”

It wasn’t said often, so the words from someone he emulated, respected, and loved warmed him. “Thanks.”

“Listen, the reason I called is because a friend of a friend gave me a contact for you. I’ll email you the details but this could get you into some of those inner circles to do some of the networking bullshit you like.”

Noah laughed. “I thought you just phoned to yell at me.”

“Happy side bonus.”

“Is this a real estate contact?” Noah could use a few of those.

“The guy . . . let me check my email . . . Sergio—there’s a power name for you—Nakoff. He deals in corporate law, knows all the power players in LA. My friend said he could get you on the list for his club, maybe a round of golf. You could schmooze. You’re better at that than painting.”

Noah gritted his teeth. It was how he’d worked for a long time in New York. Networking was a huge part of building business and relationships. He didn’t want to jump through the same hoops but at least this would be on his terms.

“Okay. Shoot me the email. Thanks.”

“You okay?”

Someone knocked on his door.

“You didn’t bite back about the painting,” Wes said. Noah could hear the smile in his voice.

“I’m pretty good at ignoring the shit that comes out of your mouth. I gotta go.”

Wes was laughing when Noah hung up, but Noah couldn’t help but feel like he wasn’t changing anyone’s mind about him. Why does it matter? What’d you tell Leo? Who cares what others think? Even your brothers.

Gripping the door handle, he swung it open, surprised to see more than just Grace on his stoop. Kyle, a couple of his guys, and a landscaper were chatting animatedly. Grace tipped her chin up, glanced at him, but returned her attention to Kyle like they were best buddies.

Now you feel left out? He shook his head, forced a smile. “Hey.” The one syllable was clipped. Easing his grip, he stepped back. “Come on in.”

Grace came through first, the scent of her soap disrupting his train of thought. He needed to get that under control.

“Grace says she’s doing your design,” Kyle said.

“She is.” Noah met her gaze, ignored the double jump of his chest. Heart hiccup. That’s all that was.

Kyle slapped his hands together. “Let’s take a look.”

While the guys, and two women, spread out, Grace, Noah, and Kyle headed for the island countertop. Grace was laden down with two huge binders and a laptop.

“Hopefully everything will work as it should. I’m still getting used to the laptop.”

Kyle glanced at it. “It’s new?”

She nodded. “Sort of. It’s a pay-as-you-option.”

Noah frowned. Pay as you go? Was she that strapped for cash? He vacillated between saying he’d buy it outright for her or listening to her talk. You don’t need to fix everything for her. It worried him that he wanted to.

She opened the laptop, and Noah leaned toward her, swallowing down the familiar punch of lust that came from standing too close. For the next fifteen minutes, she led them through a computer design program that made him feel like he was walking around in a virtual world. It was nothing short of amazing. She’d transformed his house; her ideas made it everything he’d thought he’d imagined but hadn’t actually visualized.

“Grace. This is amazing. It’s so real.” He’d seen other programs like this, obviously, but never such an intimate remodeling. Buildings, offices, warehouses. Not homes. This would be his home. The images on the screen made a man want to check his shoes at the door and curl up on that kick-ass sectional, a beer in one hand, a woman nestled beside him—whoa. He shook his head. A man. You thought “a man.” Not you.

“You seem surprised.”

“I don’t mean to. I knew you were talented.”

Their gazes met for a few seconds longer than they should have. Long enough for those familiar feelings to stir.