International Player(23)

“Your accident? You think that changed you?”

“It reframed things for me. It showed me the impossible was possible.”

God, here I was whining about giving a presentation when Noah had had to overcome much worse just to be able to walk again. I needed to accept that the next few months were going to be hard, but that with Noah’s help, I’d get to that finish line. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be good at giving presentations and speeches, but for the next few months, I need to accept my fate and get on with it.”

“You’ll relax and improve. Given how nervous you were just a few minutes before you went in today, I think you did just fine.”

“Despite the fuck-up at the end?” My shoulders sagged. “It was a lackluster performance. I need to do better.”

“You’re being way too hard on yourself. This was a major milestone.”

“Next time is going to be a hell of a lot more pressure.”

“The awards speech?”

I sighed. “Exactly. First, I have to stand up. Second, I have to wear an evening gown—I look completely ridiculous dressed up like that. Then I have to give a speech in front of two hundred and fifty people. I can barely manage a seated presentation in front of six people.” My heart began to race at the thought of all those faces staring up at me, all that attention. Perhaps I could break my own leg with a hammer or something.

“These are people who love the foundation. They give up their free time to volunteer and fundraise. They start off on your side.”

“But they don’t know me.”

“They will by the end of the evening. Do you have something to wear? Because we’re not seeing the stylist until afterwards.”

“I can wear what I wore to the winter ball last year,” I mumbled, then glanced up. “But thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you here today. I’m not sure I would have even made it to the boardroom. You’ve been a counterbalance for the voice inside my head telling me I’m useless.”

“If only you had a little more faith in yourself.”

“I mean it. I really owe you.”

“Let’s get through this, and I can think up ways you can pay me back.” He pulsed his eyebrows and chuckled.

How did he always stay so relaxed and laid back? “In the meantime, I have a ton of new experiences to look forward to, whether or not I’m ready.”

“You’re more than ready. And I’ll be right here alongside you.”

That’s all I’d ever wanted from Noah—for him to be by my side—eating Chinese takeaway or beating me at video games, but he was too restless for that to keep him happy for long. Our time together was temporary. It always would be. He wanted new and exciting. He liked a different girl every few months. Always focused on a new goal as soon as the last one was mastered.

Noah was always ten steps ahead, looking to the horizon, while I was happy staying in one spot, staring at my feet.





Twelve





Noah


I closed the door of my newly purchased Range Rover and headed to the door of Truly’s building in my tux. It seemed strange that she still lived in the same flat. Since I’d last been here, I’d moved between continents, built a business, and was now on my third apartment in that time. It was almost as if we were exact opposites in so many ways but then again, sometimes when we talked I’d never felt so similar to someone.

I pressed the buzzer. No answer.

I waited a few moments, but when I didn’t see her coming down the stairs through the partially glazed doors, I buzzed again. I’d never known her to be late for anything.

“I feel ridiculous,” she replied through the intercom.

I had to bite back a grin. “Do you want me to come up?”

“No, I’m on my way. Will you tell me if I look like a crazy person?”

“Truly, you’re not going to look ridiculous.” Truly was an attractive girl, and although she rarely made the most of herself, I was sure she looked perfectly fine as long as the dress was appropriate. “Get down here or I’m coming up and we’ll be late.”

She blew out a deep breath and the intercom went dead.

Instead of waiting in the car, I hovered at the door. Perhaps she’d changed her mind about wearing the dress she had worn to the winter ball and had decided to wear something a bit mental.

I cupped my hand over my eyes and peered through the glass. The lift doors opened and Truly stepped out.

I barely recognized her. She wasn’t just attractive, she was a complete bombshell. The breath left my lungs. She looked incredible. The red dress perfectly showed off her hourglass figure, and her dark brown hair fell in glossy waves around her shoulders.

Jesus, was this what she was covering up with baggy jumpers and yoga pants? I’d always known she was attractive. I’d hit on her when I’d first met her—and I’d gotten a hint of it when she wore that pencil skirt at the presentation—but I hadn’t realized quite how gorgeous she was until now. Or I’d forgotten, if that was possible.

She grinned at me through the glass, a wide, unselfconscious smile I knew was genuine. One she reserved for the people in her life she really liked. I felt like the luckiest guy on earth.

The lock released and I opened the door. “You look beautiful,” I said, wanting her to believe it.