Hate to Love You (Strong Brothers 4)

I swallowed because it was too horrible to admit. “He said Noah was behind the takeover.”

“What? Why would you believe that?” Kellie’s eyes narrowed and I couldn’t blame her.

“I was reading things wrong. He kept telling me to stay away from Marcus and he had a secret meeting with him like he didn’t want me to know what he was doing. He’d found the source of the hack, but not the malware that allowed for it when he’s good enough on computers to ferret that all out. Just stuff like that.” I covered my face. “It’s stupid now but at the time…”

Natalie put her hand on mine. “Love makes us stupid.”

“Did you tell Margaret you suspected him?” Kellie asked.

“I can’t imagine that she wouldn’t have fired you,” Natalie said.

“I mentioned what Marcus told me. He’d said Noah had solicited him for help. She didn’t buy it for a moment.” If only I’d had that sort of unwavering belief in him sooner, I’d be in a better place now.

“Why were you with Marcus Chen?” Jess asked.

“We all suspected him, and he was interested in me, so I thought I’d go spy. He offered me a job.”

Kellie still looked displeased. “He offered you a job and then told you it was Noah who was involved?”

I nodded. “I know it’s ridiculous…I can’t explain…”

“I already did. Love makes us stupid.”

“Are you in love?” Jess asked.

I nodded. “I didn’t know it. Not even when things were going well. It really dawned on me after I’d hurt him. Or maybe I did, and I was afraid.”

“See, we do stupid things. But Noah is an easy-going guy. Those types are often forgiving,” Natalie said, and I appreciated how hard she was trying to explain away my behavior and give me hope.

“How did he respond?” Jess asked.

“He was hurt, but then Margaret called, and we were on our way here. I apologized and tried to explain, but…how can I take it back, you know? Yet something I said must have landed because eventually he came to me.”

“By that do you mean you made up?” Jess asked.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure. We

talked a little and had sex, but I’m not sure where we stand now that we’re back here.”

“You’ve made up,” Natalie said with authority.

“How do you know?” Kellie asked.

“Because in some ways Noah is like Hunter, and if Hunter talked and had sex with me, we’d be made up. Your uncertainty is probably more from guilt.”

“That does make sense,” Jess agreed.

“What are you going to do now?” Kellie asked.

“I don’t know what to do, except my job.”

The door to the break room opened and Noah walked in. All the longing filled my chest until I couldn’t breathe as I watched him. He looked tired, but like he had in Hong Kong, he had an air of authority.

“Hello ladies,” he said, giving his signature smile. It almost reached his eyes.

“Noah our hero,” Natalie said, standing and giving him a hug. “If Gran ever picks a CEO, I’m voting for you.”

He looked at her in shock.