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But I haven’t demanded. Or threatened to scream the walls down or withhold my response if he doesn’t reveal himself. With a guilty pang, I remember that last night, I didn’t even want to know who he was for sure. Because whoever he is…he isn’t Noah. And as long as I don’t know his real identity, I can pretend.
“Ask again,” Kat grinds out. “Before he does his Norman Bates impression. Are the girls at the house when all this is—”
“No. They’ve been with Tim or Mom.”
“Good. Demand to know who he is. Then insist that he leave. If he’s really interested, tell him to date you like a normal person.”
“It wouldn’t matter if Mr. Mysterious did. I don’t want anyone but Noah. And he’s…in love with someone else.” I pause, white-knuckling the wheel. “I’m afraid, Kat.”
“Buck up, sweetie. It’s simple, not scary. You’re going to tell the night stalker to get lost because you want someone else. That usually sends a guy flying in the other direction unless he’s some sort of emotional masochist.”
Nodding, I concede the point. “True, but Noah is into this other woman. Once he catches her, and he will, then I’ll be alone again.”
“Let me get this straight. You’d rather be with some guy who sneaks into your house and tells you he loves you, even if you don’t know or love him back?”
Damn, when did Kat become so logical? “No. You’re right.”
“For a change, I am. And if you want Noah for yourself, you need to make a move before this bitch gets her claws in him. See if he feels anything for you before he gets too tangled up in this other woman.”
“Make a move, how? Like walk up to him and tell him I fantasize about him? He’s talking about marriage and babies with this woman. He wants to settle down. I was thinking more…fling.”
“Until this other woman says ‘I do,’ Noah is still an unattached man. Honey, if he’s got hormones, he’ll do fling.”
“It’s not smart. He’s my boss and Tim’s buddy. Maybe I should just get over it.”
“I know you. You’re not going to just get over it. And maybe it’s good you start dating or flinging or something again. Hell, prior to this brain blip, you’d lived like a nun since the divorce,” Kat points out. “Look, the boss-buddy thing you’ll have to work around. Don’t bring it up at the office. Don’t mention Tim. But if Noah rebuffs you, at least you’ll know, right? If he doesn’t… could be a hot night for my slightly older and uglier sister.”
At our running joke about which of us sisters is the ugliest, I snort. “Yeah, uglier? Who went dateless on prom night? Not me…”
“Ugh! Always the same argument. Rub it in, why don’t you? Hey, at least I’m not so sex-starved that I’m letting some horny cat burglar in my panties.”
“That’s low. I won’t let him in my panties again.”
“You see the wisdom of genius Kat’s advice, do you?”
“Genius is a bit thick, but I think so.”
“Go get rid of the psycho and bag your man, tigress.”
Tigress? At the moment, I feel like a whipped kitten. That isn’t any way to get Noah to notice me as a woman. But the reality of Kat’s advice is sinking in. I have to make a pass at Noah. I grimace. The very thought makes my palms sweat and my stomach turn with nerves. “I’m, um…on it.”
“You don’t sound on it; you sound reluctant.”
My sister is too perceptive sometimes. “Noah invited the girls and me over for a swim and a barbecue on Thursday evening. What should I do?”
“Really?” Kat sounds as if that’s a vastly interesting fact. “Has he ever done that before?”
I think, then frown. “No.”
“Interesting… Very interesting, in fact. Okay, let’s talk strategy. I have ideas…”
Chapter Eight
On Wednesday night, I sag into my Jacuzzi tub, glass of wine in one hand, and relax in my vanilla sugar bath salts. The candle sits on the counter near the door, flame bobbing as it burns, adding a dancing golden sliver of light.
Well, I would be relaxing if I could get my mind off Noah, Mr. Mysterious, my conversation with Kat, and the mess my life has become.
At least all is well with my girls, thank goodness. My mom wanted to keep them another day, which enabled me to finish up a report at work so the focus groups can move forward. But now…with night descending and loneliness creeping in, I don’t want to be by myself.
