Chapter 19 Chapter 19
Noah's POV
Donor lunches were somehow worse than galas. At least at the gala there had been noise such as music, speeches, and cameras flashing every five seconds. Chaos had a way of hiding discomfort. This lunch was quiet, controlled and refined, which meant there was nowhere to hide.
The private dining room at the Westview alumni club smelled like expensive coffee. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the campus lawn, and sunlight poured across the long table where donors were already seated. Emily stood beside me, reviewing the event schedule on her phone. “Remember,” she murmured quietly, “No sarcasm.”
“That’s oppressive.”
“No jokes about donor yachts.”
“That was one time.”
“You said it like four times.”
I adjusted the collar of my shirt. “I thought we agreed honesty was important.”
She sighed softly. “Noah.”
“What?”
“Just… try to behave.”
I smirked slightly. “You are very controlling in public.”
“I’m very invested in keeping this PR campaign alive.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
She glanced up at me. “You’re exhausting.”
Before I could answer, the event coordinator walked over. “Mr. Harris, Ms. Taylor, thank you for coming.”
Emily instantly switched into professional mode. Her posture straightened and her smile appeared. She looked composed and elegant, like she belonged in rooms like this. I followed her inside the dining room, and then I saw Lucas.
He stood near the center of the room speaking with two donors, one hand casually in his pocket while the other gestured lightly as he spoke. He looked exactly the same as he always did. He was calm, polished and controlled, like a politician who never had to raise his voice to command attention.
The donors laughed at something he said. Lucas smiled easily. Well, Of course he did. He always had that effect on people. Emily noticed him a second later. “Oh,” she said quietly. I didn’t need to look at her to know what expression she had right now, she was interested in him.
Lucas turned slightly and saw us. His smile widened. “Well,” he said as he walked toward us, “If it isn’t Westview’s favorite couple.”
Emily laughed softly. “It’s good to see you again.”
Lucas’ eyes flicked to me briefly. “Little brother.”
“Lucas.” We shook hands. His grip was firm.
“What brings you to the donor lunch?” I asked.
“Board advisory meeting,” he said easily. “They asked me to attend.”
Of course they did. Lucas Harris was exactly the kind of person universities loved, he was successful, professional, and the complete opposite of me.
Emily stepped slightly closer. “We were just talking about athlete recovery programs,” Lucas said to her.
Her eyes lit up. That was the thing about Emily. If you mentioned sports medicine, her entire personality shifted, she was truly passionate about it.
“That’s actually something I’ve been researching,” she said. “Most programs still emphasize performance metrics over long-term recovery.”
Lucas nodded thoughtfully. “Which is why so many athletes develop chronic injuries.”
Emily’s eyebrows lifted. “Exactly.”
They started walking towards the table while talking. And I just followed, listening and watching. Lucas asked questions about rehabilitation protocols, injury prevention and how the nervous system adapts during recovery.
Emily answered eagerly explaining biomechanics, muscle compensation, and joint stabilization. Her hands moved slightly as she spoke, emphasizing certain points. Her voice became more animated... more alive. It was the same energy she had during rehab sessions. The version of Emily that loved what she did. Lucas listened carefully like he genuinely respected her expertise, which, annoyingly, he probably did.
One of the donors interrupted. “So you’re the rehabilitation specialist we have heard about.”
Emily smiled politely. “I work with the athletic department.”
Lucas leaned back in his chair. “She’s being modest. She’s the reason my brother’s shoulder hasn’t completely fallen apart.” He said.
I shot him a look. Emily laughed softly. “He exaggerates.”
“I rarely exaggerate,” Lucas said.
“That’s not true.”
Lucas smiled at her. “You’ll learn.”
I watched the exchange quietly and something strange twisted in my chest. It wasn't anger, it was more like teritorial.
Emily leaned slightly forward. “Actually, Noah’s recovery is progressing faster than expected,” she said. “His stabilization has improved significantly over the last two weeks.”
Lucas glanced at me. “That must be a miracle.”
“Or discipline,” Emily said calmly.
Lucas chuckled. “That word has never been associated with Noah.”
Emily smiled slightly. “He’s improving.”
Lucas studied her for a moment. “You believe that.”
“Yes.”
Something in his expression shifted, it seemed like he respected her. The conversation continued, but I barely heard it anymore, because I was watching Emily, how easily she spoke with Lucas. How comfortable she seemed with him. Her guard dropped slightly when she talked about her work. And Lucas? He noticed everything which he always did.
Eventually, the donors moved into a separate conversation about university funding. Emily excused herself to grab water from the side table. Lucas leaned back in his chair before he looked at me. “Interesting.”
“What?” I asked.
“Your roommate.”
“She’s not my roommate.”
“She lives with you.”
“That’s temporary.”
Lucas tilted his head slightly. “She’s impressive.”
“She’s intense.”
“Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive.” I didn’t respond. Lucas watched Emily across the room. “She’s different from the women you usually bring around.”
“That’s because she’s not here for me.”
Lucas smirked. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“She talks about you like you’re worth fixing.”
“That’s because it’s her job.”
Lucas didn’t look convinced. Emily returned with her glass of water. The conversation shifted back to sports medicine and recovery programs.
I remained quiet and just watched and listened. That strange twist in my chest grew sharper.
Eventually, the lunch ended. Donors stood up, shaking hands and exchanging polite goodbyes. Emily thanked several people for their time and Lucas walked beside us towards the hallway outside the dining room. When Emily stepped ahead to speak with the event coordinator, Lucas slowed his pace, leaving the two of us slightly behind.
He glanced at me. “You should be careful with her.”
I frowned. “Why?”
Lucas’ mouth curved into a small smirk. “Because women like Emily don’t stay where they are not respected.”
The words landed harder than I expected. “That’s not your business.”
“Maybe not.”
He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. “But I know you.”
“And?”
“And eventually you test every boundary people give you.”
I crossed my arms. “You’re assuming a lot.”
Lucas looked back towards Emily. She was speaking with the coordinator, explaining something about my rehab schedule. Lucas looked back at me. “She won’t tolerate that forever.”
I didn’t answer, because the worst part was... He was probably right.
Lucas clapped my shoulder lightly. “Try not to ruin a good thing.” And then he walked ahead to join Emily.
I followed a few steps behind. Emily turned towards us with a bright smile. “Ready to go?”
Lucas nodded. “I’ll see you both around.”
He gave her one last friendly smile before he left.
Emily looked up at me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing.”
She studied my face for a moment, like she could tell I wasn’t being honest, but she didn’t push. Instead, she walked beside me towards the exit, and as we stepped out of the building, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Lucas said.
Women like Emily don’t stay where they are not respected.