A Billionaire's Holiday Love - Posey Parks Page 0,38
holiday attire, I loved the gray sweater, dark jeans, and brown rugged leather boots.
“Vino, did you see the Grinch hat Noah wore in our picture in the newspaper? I finally saw it live and in color at the mayor’s office.”
“Yeah, that was the perfect accessory for Noah,” he laughed.
I noticed his Jersey accent.
“Your jokes don’t bother me. I’m the Grinch. I own it.” Noah sipped his beer, staring at me out of the corner of his eye.
I laughed.
“Vino, thank you for supplying a security detail for us. I didn’t realize how much I appreciated it until I left the outfitter store. It felt like someone was watching me. Maybe the person wanted to mention the kiss to me but was too shy to speak and remained in the shadows.”
Noah sat his glass down and stared at Vino.
“People are asking you about the kiss or mentioning it? Like, oh that was sweet?”
“One man said you made it hard for guys because now his girlfriend wants him to do something sweet. I thought nothing of it. I mean, it is Christmas. And Crystal said something similar. She wished her husband would make a romantic gesture. I guess I’ll hear comments like those a lot while we’re here.”
“Don’t worry, Noah. One of my best guys, X is on it. We’ll keep tabs on the guy.”
Noah nodded.
My eyes fell between them.
Crystal returned with our order.
“Hope, Delila sent over her special sweet potatoes at Noah’s request.”
She placed the bowl of goodness before me. The nutmeg and cinnamon shot up my nose. The orange potatoes looked delicious.
“Thanks, Noah.”
“They’re excellent. I told Delila I thought you’d like them. Vino and I already had a bowl earlier.”
He nodded. “Yup, it’s scrumptious.”
“Can I get you all anything else?”
“No thanks.” Vino sipped his beer.
“No.” Noah turned to me. “Would you like a burger or pot roast to offset the sweet tooth buffet?”
“Funny Noah.”
I smiled, peeking up at the waitress. “This is all for now, Crystal.”
“Ok, flag me down if you need anything else.”
“Will do.”
Napkin in hand, I brought the cocoa to my lips and blew the piping hot liquid. There wouldn’t be a repeat marshmallow mustache.
I placed my hand against my forehead. “Shoot, we need to talk to Delila and her husband Stuart before we leave.”
His brows lowered. “Ok.”
“I’ll explain later.”
Sliding my fork through the pie, I peeked at Vino. Were all the men in Noah’s family gorgeous? His father was handsome for an older guy who drank like a fish.
“Vino, are you allergic to relationships too? Those aren’t my words. Noah said his brothers didn’t plan to settle down.”
Noah shrugged. “It’s true.”
“Hope, I’m not opposed to settling down. The women I’ve come across can’t see past my money. So I’m skeptical. If I met the right woman, I’d consider a relationship.”
I nodded. “If my sister wasn’t knee deep in sewing high end garments for the New York fashion runway, she’d give you a second look.”
“Is she beautiful like you?”
“Vino, what the fuck? Are you checking out my woman?” Noah growled.
He placed his hands up. “Relax Noah, any man with two eyes can see she’s beautiful.”
A resting scowl remained on Noah’s face.
I gripped Noah’s arm. “Calm down, big guy. We’re talking about my sister.”
“Do you have a recent picture of her?” Vino leaned forward.
“Yes.” I retrieved my phone and swiped through recent photos and videos of Claire.
“She might not be attractive to you. But she’s never had a problem getting a man. Claire’s focused on her business, not a relationship. We’re alike in that department.”
I placed my phone in his hand. “Press play. She was giving me a virtual tour of her new warehouse space. My dad and I are helping her pay the rent. It’s an investment. She’s very talented. I assure you she doesn’t need a man to take care of her. Claire had no intention of asking for help, but the last time I visited her she was sewing garments in her one-bedroom apartment. There wasn’t anywhere to sit. I couldn’t take it anymore. So I found the space and told her she was moving into a warehouse. Claire was excited.”
A big smile took his face. “Damn, she’s a knockout.”
He pressed the screen a few times. “Here’s your phone back.”
“I sent that video to myself.”
My eyes widened. “What!”
“I’ll look your sister up the next time I have business in New York.”
“Vino, she’ll kill me if she thinks I tried to set her up.”
He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t mention you right away.”
Noah shook his head.