"How was the dinner?"
Noah’s smooth voice drifted toward Gianna like an added indulgence to the allure of the night beneath the full moon.
It sounded richer out here, softened by open air and the hush of nature. Even better that they were walking through the gardens now, where the scent of flowers wrapped around her senses and made her relax, made her feel—as absurd as it seed—as though she were back ho.
"Better than I expected," she murmured.
Her smile deepened when he squeezed the hand held in his, the gentle pressure reassuring.
He tugged her playfully toward a nearby bench, and she slowed when she noticed its design—ornate wrought iron with carved wooden slats, elegant yet understated.
She could swear it was the sa style as the few benches scattered through old Mr. Thorne’s garden.
They must really be close friends, she thought, to share the sa taste in design.
Only Isaac’s version of things leaned far more toward the extravagant than Mr. Thorne’s ever did.
Which wasn’t entirely a bad thing, she mused, lowering herself onto the bench and taking in the view from where she sat.
The garden stretched endlessly before her, carefully curated yet wild enough to feel alive. Flowerbeds curved along winding stone paths, arranged in thoughtful gradients of color that made each shade pop against the next.
Roses blood in deep crimson, soft blush, and ivory white. Lavender bushes lined the edges, their purple heads swaying gently and releasing a calming, herbal scent into the night air.
Jasmine climbed trellises nearby, its sweet fragrance intoxicating, mingling with the faint citrus notes of orange blossoms and the earthiness of freshly watered soil.
Farther ahead, hibiscus flowers flared boldly in reds and yellows, while lilies rested serenely closer to a small fountain, their pale petals glowing under moonlight.
The arrangent was intentional, yet nothing felt stiff. It was beauty allowed to breathe.
The soft hum of night insects filled the spaces between sounds. Sowhere in the distance, water trickled gently, soothing.
As Noah sat beside her and drew her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, the world seed to shrink to just the two of them.
She leaned into him without thinking, resting her head against his shoulder. His warmth seeped into her, and for the first ti that evening, she felt content.
"So, you did expect them to bite you off..."
Noah’s voice was a caress now, lower than a murmur, suggestive of anything but the thread of conversation he was pulling at. The intimacy of it made her smile.
"Honestly," she said, lifting her face slightly, "I didn’t know what I expected... but it was just good."
"And my sister’s rebuff was the icing on the top, eh?"
Gianna laughed, the sound light as she lifted her head from his shoulder. "You can’t bla ... co on!"
Noah chuckled, shaking his head slowly. "Won. You both could rather work together and create even better designs—just like you and Vance—than tearing each other apart..."
Gianna only shrugged, saying nothing.
"Don’t worry," he continued easily. "I’ll make you two work with each other—as best friends—when I hire you both."
Gianna’s brows shot up. "You really are planning your own jewelry company?"
Noah pursed his lips, considering whether to press on or abandon the topic altogether. After a brief pause, he decided to tug the thread just a little longer.
"Maybe," he said. "Considering it. You don’t want to work for my uncle forever, do you? Not when I can do sothing about it..."
He licked his lower lip unconsciously, eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "You should have your own company."
Gianna snorted softly. "You just said work for you."
Noah clicked his tongue. "Don’t mind that. If we get married, the company will be yours. But I’d like you both to get along..."
Never, Gianna mused silently. Not when his sister had tried to kill her.
She wondered, fleetingly, what he would do if she told him the truth.
Would he still defend Es?
Would he dismiss it, explain it away, or confront Es?
Or would he choose Es? Family, after all, was everything to so people.
She bit her lower lip.
No... not yet.
Their relationship, even though it had started on a false premise, was still too new. She wasn’t ready to hand him sothing so heavy. Not yet.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.
Gianna shrugged. "About giving your sister a chance... although I have to tell you, that’s dependent on her—as I’m sure you’re aware of."
Noah nodded, seemingly pleased. "I’ll talk to her. Get her to understand you’re not the enemy."
Good luck with that, Gianna mused, turning her gaze forward again.
But the very next second, she felt his fingers slide under her jaw, firm yet gentle, turning her face back toward him.
His eyes road her features slowly, darkening with every sweep.
"So," he said quietly, "our relationship... I’m getting you an engagent ring tomorrow."
The words hit like cold water, instantly dousing the romantic fantasies forming in her mind.
She shook her head, easing herself out of his hold. "That’s too fast. Let’s just... date. Get to know each other first. People can think whatever they want."
Noah’s brows furrowed as he watched her look away. He had noticed the tightening of her jaw when he ntioned the ring.
With a sigh, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Is this because of Whitman?"
Her frown was imdiate. "And what about him? Why do you always bring him into conversations?"
Noah sighed again, sensing the defensiveness rolling off her now. "I’m sorry. I just thought—"
He paused, then let the thread drop. "Did you feel guilty about his empire? This is the second major hit it’s taking since the revelations about his father’s atrocity..."
Gianna said nothing.
"You shouldn’t feel guilty," Noah continued gently. "Not your fault. Probably karma. He was stupid to leave such a beautiful woman at the altar. My luck, though."
Gianna exhaled sharply. "Is Zane all you want to talk about now?"
Noah frowned slightly. "You see—that’s what I’m talking about..."
His voice softened. "You’re still sohow tied to the past. To him. Maybe even changing your mind about your designs, about your audacity at the convention, seeing that..."
Gianna laughed suddenly, the sound brittle. "Then you don’t know at all, Noah Newman. I have always wanted to bring down his haughty empire."
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