Safe in Noah's Arms

Just inside the gallery door, she drew up short, letting the door nudge her back. Her pulse pounded and her hands shook. The man made her so mad she could spit.

Olivia peeked her head out of her office to see who had entered the gallery.

“You’re five minutes late.” The hard edge in her voice undid Monica.

“Not today, Olivia.” She’d never spoken to her boss harshly. In fact, she had always been unfailingly polite.

Olivia’s mouth fell open.

“I will work my butt off while I’m here today, boss, just as I’ve always done. But how many times over the past year have I been late? Twice! Both times this week. I’m sick to death of you and your son coming down on me. I made a mistake. I apologized. I’m paying my dues.”

She approached the office. Wide-eyed, Olivia stepped out of the way to let her pass inside.

“I thank you heartily, Olivia, for giving me this job, but if you can’t appreciate me as I am then I will leave. Is that clear?”

Olivia nodded.

Monica tossed her purse into the bottom drawer of Olivia’s desk, where they kept their personal belongings. “Good. I’m glad we have that settled.”

She stepped into the back room to finish baling boxes in which artwork had been delivered yesterday, not too careful today about whether she might snag her dress or tear a nail, ripping them apart with her hands rather than using box cutters, happily imagining tearing Noah limb from limb.

* * *

“NOAH?” THROUGH THE red haze of his fury, Noah heard a woman’s voice and tried to focus on her.

For the first time since bumping into Monica, he noticed Kayla standing in the doorway of Tonio’s, smiling hesitantly. She wore a tasteful dress and makeup. She’d done something funky and fun with her hair. “You’re—you’re lovely. You look amazing.”

How long had she been standing there? Had she heard him give Monica hell? He didn’t haul people across the carpet in public, but then, Monica hadn’t shown up this morning when he’d needed her and he’d gone nuclear.

He tried speaking normally, but his hot blood was slow to switch gears. “I’ve never seen you wear makeup before.”

“I know. Monica showed me how to apply it.”

“Monica?” The woman’s name came out on a faint gust of air. Kayla had been with Monica. She’d been standing there all along. Monica had hugged someone before storming off, but Noah had been too intent on her and his own indignation that he hadn’t noticed who the other woman was.

“Uh-huh. She’s amazing, Noah. She got me two jobs.”

“Monica? Two jobs? Where?”

“I’m working for John Spade. Just real basic work, but he said if I’m willing to take a computer course then he’ll give me more hours and responsibility, and pay me more.”

“I’m kind of speechless. I didn’t think Spade had that much heart.”

“I’m not sure he does, but judging by the way he looks at Monica, I think he would do whatever she asks.” He didn’t like the spurt of jealousy at the thought of Monica and Spade together, not that it made any sense.

“Where’s the other job?”

“In here.” She gestured over her shoulder. “At Tonio’s. I’ll be working a lot on weekends, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m so excited, Noah. We’ll actually have money coming in.”

“I hope they’re both paying you an honest wage.”

“I forgot to ask. These are good people, Noah. I’m sure everything will be fine. Besides, I can make a dollar stretch for miles. I’ve been doing it all of my married life.”

Kayla touched Noah’s arm, tentatively. “What’s going on between you and Monica? Why did you yell at her?”

He scrubbed his scalp, working like a demon to bring himself under control. “Monica really got you two jobs?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Since yesterday?”

“Yes. Can you imagine? Plus, she gave me a couple of gorgeous dresses and a blouse and skirt to wear until I can buy more for myself. She gave them to me, Noah. I need to dress professionally in Mr. Spade’s office.”

She leaned close. “Now that he’s my boss, I have to remember to not think of him as just John.”

“Wait. Go back. I’m still processing that Monica Accord got you work and gave you clothes.”

She stuck out her foot and pointed down. “These gorgeous shoes, too.”

“Shoes,” Noah said weakly. “But isn’t all of that out of character?”

“How so?” Clearly puzzled, Kayla asked, “Why would you say that?”

“You know. Self-involved ice queen.” Like the girl who’d made fun of him with her friends, who’d turned her back on him and walked down the hall like a princess with her entourage. She had never given him the time of day in high school, and had ignored him for all of her adult life until she’d gotten drunk and hit him with her car.

“Noah, sometimes you can be so blind and so full of your own worldview.” Kayla put her hands on her hips, obviously ready to defend the woman who had just gotten her two jobs. “That has not been my experience with Monica at all.”

Intrigued, he asked, “What was your experience?”

“In high school, I never thought she would give someone like me attention. You know how beautiful she was. The popular kids liked her. When I tried out for the cheerleading squad and didn’t make it, I was devastated. Of all of the older girls on the squad, Monica was the only one who came over after tryouts and was so nice.” She transferred her big purse from one shoulder to the other. “Here was this gorgeous older girl not only giving me the time of day, but trying to make me feel better. I wasn’t a cool kid, but Monica consoled me and then told me everything she’d liked about my routine. She was kind, classy. That’s when I realized there was more to her than she let on. Also, it’s strange, but I got the strong impression maybe she was more shy than she showed.”

Monica? Shy? Impossible.

“Why were you angry with her just now? I mean really angry, Noah. I’ve never see you like that before.”