They took the stairs and strolled a block down to a corner coffee shop that had killer pastries. After ordering two lattes, a lemon poppy seed muffin and an almond scone, they grabbed one of the café tables in front of the window. “Are you worried?” Lily asked. “I don’t want you to be worried. You’re too handsome to worry.”
Noah laughed, but it was born of exasperation. When would everything go right at once? He and Lily had made a big breakthrough last night, one that he’d never thought he would ever make. He’d never professed his feelings to any other woman. He’d not only never wanted to, he’d never had the feelings he had for Lily.
“How are you so together right now?”
She looked down at her coffee and gave it a stir. “You need me right now. I don’t know how else to be. I guess that’s what makes me a good employee.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “It’s also what makes you an amazing friend.” And what makes me love you. The words were right there in his head, but they were as foreign as a language he could neither read nor speak. He wanted to say them to her, but he was as unsure right now as he’d ever been. He knew he couldn’t take them back if he’d said them only out of weakness and ultimately couldn’t live up to them. Lily deserved better.
She rubbed her thumb back and forth across the back of his hand. “You’re an amazing friend, too. And my favorite person to take a shower with.”
He smiled and raised her hand. Her engagement ring hit his lips when he kissed her fingers. Could that ring ultimately end up meaning something? “I feel the same way.”
Several moments of silence played out between them as they sipped coffee, ate and watched the other patrons in the café. Still, neither let go of the other’s hand. Once again, they were in this together. In so many ways, Lily was more important to their surviving this ordeal. Just like his mom had been the glue that kept the family together, Lily was the glue of the business. It all started and ended with her. And Noah was starting to think the same thing about his life. He couldn’t fathom the idea of not having Lily around.
“We should probably head back, don’t you think?” he asked.
“Feeling antsy?” Lily got up and put on her coat.
“I want this resolved. That’s all. I’m tired of the turmoil.”
“You and me both.”
* * *
The office looked like a war zone when Lily and Noah returned. The security team had taken everything apart, even going so far as to cut holes in walls, looking for listening devices. It was like something out of a spy movie. Sawyer was already back, and called Noah into his office.
A burly, bearded man from the security team cornered Lily. “I’m going to need you to stay right here.” He pointed to one of the chairs in the reception area.
“But I have work to do.”
“I understand, but we’re still sorting things out. I can’t allow you to touch your computer or answer the phones, either.”
Lily plopped down into the seat. What in the world was going on? She racked her brain, wondering if she somehow knew the source of the leak. A member of the cleaning crew? The guy who came in to fix the copier? At least she knew it wasn’t her, even if she had a very stern man fifteen feet away from her, staring her down, that made her feel as though she might have been responsible.
The entire premise of Sawyer and Noah’s father having an inside source was so ridiculous to begin with. How could a parent go around purposely sabotaging his own children? Because of professional jealousy? Because they demanded their independence? It was terrible.
Sawyer’s office door opened. “Lily. We need you to come in now.”
She stood, but with every step, her heart beat a little more fiercely. It was hard not to feel like this was a walk to the gallows.
“Please, Lily. Sit down,” Sawyer said when she’d stepped inside.
She did as instructed, which meant she was sitting right next to Noah. He turned and looked at her, his expression inexplicable. “Please tell me you didn’t do it.”
“Noah. Stop.” Sawyer’s tone made Lily jump.
“No, Sawyer. I can’t. I can’t even stomach what you’re about to say to her.”
“We have our evidence. We have to move forward.”
“Does somebody want to tell me what’s going on?” Lily asked, wishing it was appropriate for her to hold hands with Noah. She needed him right now.
Sawyer looked right at her. “We need you to be completely honest with everything we’re about to ask you. If you can’t be forthcoming with the facts, we’ll have no choice but to press charges and talk to the police.”