I bury my head in my hands. “My toothbrush?”
I begin to dry-retch, while Charlie lectures Ava again on personal property. Ava leans her head on my arm. “Sorry, Uncle Noah. I didn’t mean to do it.”
What a way to end the night. Despite being grossed out about my toothbrush, I ruffle the top of her head, giving her a kiss before she pulls away and walks down the hallway.
Ava halts at her door. “Uncle Noah, I think you love Morgan. That’s why you’re sad. Daddy says when a man loves a woman, they’re sad if they aren’t together.”
Could a four-year-old have the answer to my problem? No. I can’t be in love. The thought alone is ludicrous.
“Morgan?” Charlie questions. “So what about Scarlett?”
“Charlie—”
“Okay, I won’t butt in,” she says. “But I’m here, okay? If you need me.”
“I know…” I trail off. “What would you do if you were me? If you weren’t getting the answers you so desperately need.”
“Me?” Charlie asks. “I would sit back and allow life to lead the way.”
“And you?” I turn to Lex.
“I’d go find her now, demand she gives you answers, and not leave until she does,” he states firmly.
“She’s busy, some meeting at the Four Seasons.”
Lex pulls his cell out, dialing a number. “Karl, it’s Lex Edwards. I need a room.”
There’s silence followed by Lex saying, “thank you,” and hanging up the phone.
“It’s all yours.” Lex smiles.
Charlie watches my reaction, surprisingly keeping quiet. I sit on it for moments, then realize that life’s too short.
I grab my keys, making the decision before nerves have me backing out.
“I’m going after her.”
Chapter Seventeen
Lex has gone all out.
The Four Seasons has a grand entrance, marble floors with a gold table sitting in the center of the lobby. The huge flower display on the table is an eyesore. Adding to the scattered plants decorating the entrance.
There are a few guests waiting in the reception area, luggage beside them as they check in to the hotel. I wait behind them, then make my way to the guy checking me in. It’s a quick and simple process, and with adrenalin running through my veins, I find the restaurant in the lobby level—an Italian place called Culina.
There’s no one manning the entrance, and upon scanning the crowded room, I spot her sitting near the window with a group of men. They’re younger than I expected. Possibly in their late twenties if not early thirties. The three of them are gazing at Morgan with lust in their eyes, unprofessional and downright rude. Are you fucking kidding me? No one looks at my woman that way.
The taller one, with the dark brown hair tied back into a girly ponytail, puts his arm around her chair. A gesture that she seems to notice and brushes off. The wave of jealousy almost knocks me over and without any sense of reason, I walk toward her, avoiding the maître d’ chasing me down.
“So, you’ll see that Scarlett has—” She stops midsentence, her eyes widening while she observes me standing beside her at the table.
“Noah, what are you doing here?” she questions, shocked yet trying to compose herself.
The men seated at the table stare me up and down with their arrogant smirks. The one in the ponytail not retracting his arm that so carelessly rests behind Morgan. My hands are prepped, ready to strangle him at this very moment. As much as I hate him for his foolish behavior, I straighten my posture and act confidently in an effort to irk him.
“We have some unfinished business that needs sorting out. I apologize.” I turn toward the men with a fierce look. “I need to borrow Ms. Bentley for… say…” I look at my watch, “… ten minutes.”
“Noah, can this possibly wait?” she asks, annoyed, plastering a fake smile for her guests.