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“What about your parents?” She wasn’t making small talk. She was truly interested.

“Mom is a fifth-grade teacher. Dad is a general surgeon.”

“Sounds like a wonderful family.” She looked thoughtful.

As dessert was served and glasses were raised in a toast to family and friends, Noah caught Ruth’s gaze again. This time, she didn’t look away. Her expression softened, her smile lingering just a second too long.

The toast rang out around the table, a symphony of voices declaring love and gratitude. Noah lifted his glass and joined in, but his eyes never left Ruth.

Maybe this Christmas wasn’t just about family and food. Maybe it held something more.

Five

Noah stepped into the office, the familiar hum of keyboards clicking and faint chatter serving as a backdrop to the early hour. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the breakroom, beckoning like a siren. He shrugged off his coat, draping it over the back of his chair as he glanced at his watch.

A few minutes later, Alex walked in, his easy gait and warm smile betraying the good mood he’d been in since the Everhart Christmas dinner the night before. “Morning,” he greeted, grabbing a mug from the breakroom and filling it with coffee.

“Morning.” Noah leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Hey, thanks again for inviting me last night. That was... something special.”

Alex’s smile widened, his eyes crinkling. “Charlotte wouldn’t let me leave you out. But yeah, it was a great night. She’s amazing, isn’t she?” He spoke with the unmistakable tone of a man in love.

“She is,” Noah agreed. “I’ll call her later to thank her personally.”

Alex leaned against the counter, his expression softening. “I still can’t believe I got so lucky. I mean, Charlotte... she’s everything I never knew I needed.”

Noah chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll admit, when you first told me about her, I thought she was just using you for sex.”

Alex raised a brow, clearly amused. “You thought Charlotte was usingme?”

“Well, yeah,” Noah admitted, grinning sheepishly. “I mean, come on. You’re in your forties; she’s in her sixties, and... well, I was wrong. Seeing you two together—it’s obvious. The way she looks at you, the way you talk about her... it’s love.”

Alex sighed, a contented sound. “Love,” he repeated, almost to himself. He stared into his coffee for a moment before glancing at Noah, his expression shifting to something more mischievous. “Speaking of which... you seemed a bit intrigued last night yourself.”

Noah frowned, feigning confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Alex smirked. “Ruth.”

Noah shook his head, laughing quietly. “She’s what? Twenty-six? She wouldn’t be interested in an old man. It’s not that kind of attraction. But I’m not blind—she’s beautiful.”

“Sure,” Alex drawled, his tone teasing. “It’s not that.”

“No, really,” Noah insisted, his voice growing thoughtful. “She’s just... she’s a powerhouse. Smart, confident, driven. How could you not be attracted to that? But it’s not... anything.”

Alex sipped his coffee, clearly unconvinced but letting it slide. “Fair enough.”

Noah seized the chance to shift the subject. “Isobel looked good last night. Healthy, I mean. Emotionally?”

Alex nodded, his tone growing serious. “Yeah, she’s come a long way. But you’re right—she’s still scared. After everything she went through, I don’t blame her.”

“She’s lucky to have Brad,” Noah added. “That guy seems to anticipate what she’s thinking before she even says it.”

Alex smiled knowingly. “He’s good for her. Reminds me of how I feel with Charlotte. Like... I didn’t know it could be like this. That someone could know you so well, see you so clearly, and still... stay.”

Noah nodded thoughtfully, Alex’s words settling over him. “You’re not wrong. It’s rare.”

Alex’s grin returned, softer this time. “Olivia has Jackson; Sophie has Tristan; Molly has Ethan; Izzy has Brad... and, hell, you could have Ruth.”

Noah burst out laughing, shaking his head. “Not even close. Nice try, though.”