Chapter 49 Chapter Forty Nine
Jace stepped forward right then, his eyes looking appreciatively at Lena. He winced when he noticed the bruise on her cheek from where Allison had backhanded her. Clearly, she was not okay.
He'd been looking forward to an opportunity to talk to Lena after what happened in the media room, to smooththings over after the kiss amd to apologize.
But how was he supposed to explain that he'd hidden himself away in the shelving unit like a coward, refusing to come out and help even while she was getting hit and insulted by Alison over him?
He sighed softly, asking her gently "Hey, Lena, can I talk to you about—"
But Noah was faster.
He stepped forward, took Lena's hand in his, and kissed the back of it like some kind of fucking prince from a fairy tale.
"It's an absolute pleasure to meet you," Noah said in his warm honey voice.
Lena's face blushed bright pink.
"I—um—hi—I mean—" She stammered, her eyes going wide, clearly not expecting all that.
A shy grin spread across her face, completely out of her control. "I'm Lena. I'm the um—I tutor Jace and I watch Martin sometimes and I—"
"You have such a beautiful smile," Noah said simply.
"Jesus Christ," Jace muttered. "Are you serious right now?"
Nobody paid attention to him.
Lena looked like she might actually faint. "Thank you? I—wow, I thought Noah would be, like, Martin's age? I didn't realise..."
"That I'd be this devastatingly handsome?" Noah grinned. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Lena giggled, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Oh my goodness," Mrs Dawson put a hand to her chest. "Isn't he charming?"
"He's really not," Jace said.
His mother shot him a warning look.
"I never met anyone as breathtaking as you the last time I was here," Noah continued smoothly.
"Why don't you show me around the house while you tell me more about yourself? Any friend of Jace's is a friend of mine."
"Aww," Mrs Dawson cooed. "That's so sweet."
"Sure!" Lena nodded eagerly, her eyes wide and starry. "Okay, I can show you around. The kitchen's this way, and then upstairs there's—"
"This is fucking ridiculous," Jace said, louder this time.
Lena paused, glancing back at him uncertainly, her eyes widening with fear.
But Noah was already starting to guide her toward the hallway with a gentle hand on her lower back, asking questions, laughing at the right moments, being absolutely fucking perfect.
While Jace stood frozen in the entryway, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
Five minutes.
Noah had been in the house for five fucking minutes and he already had everyone wrapped around his finger.
Even Martin, who was usually shy and detached with strangers, perked up when Noah crouched down beside him on the couch.
"Hey, buddy." Noah pulled something from his jacket pocket. "Your mom told me you like trains."
Martin's eyes went wide. "Is that..."
"A 1937 Coronation Class locomotive. Limited edition collector's piece." Noah placed it carefully in Martin's hands. "I thought you might want to add it to your collection."
Martin stared at the train like Noah had just handed him the Holy Grail. "Thank you," he breathed.
Of course, he brought a gift, Jace thought bitterly.
Noah ruffled Martin's hair gently, then turned to Rosie, who was blinking awake. "And you must be the pretty princess I've heard so much about."
Rosie's face lit up. "You think I'm pretty?"
"The prettiest princess in the whole kingdom," Noah said seriously.
Rosie smiled so wide, it was like she'd just developed her first crush.
"Unbelievable," Jace muttered. "This is un-fucking-believable."
Mrs Dawson was practically glowing. "You're so good with them, Noah. I'm so glad you're here."
"Mom, seriously..."
"Oh!" His mother suddenly looked flustered. "I just realised... Noah, I'm so sorry, but the main guest room is being used for storage right now. We'll need some time to clear it out and get it ready for you. I didn't expect you until tomorrow, so..."
"Please, don't worry about it." Noah waved a hand dismissively. "I can sleep on the couch. Really, it's no trouble at all."
"Absolutely not," Mrs Dawson said firmly. "You're not sleeping on the couch."
"Good, so kick him out" Jace said quickly. "He's not wanted here anywhere."
"I would say you could room with Jace for tonight, but he clearly won't allow it," his mother pointed out. "And I don't want you to be uncomfortable while..."
"No, really, the couch is fine," Noah insisted with his signature charming smile.
Lena, who'd been standing quietly nearby, suddenly spoke up. "I.. I guess maybe you can have my room?
Everyone turned to look at her.
"What?" Jace yelled sharply.
"The guest room I use," Lena explained, looking at Mrs Dawson. "When I work late and stay over. Noah can have it. I'll take the couch, I don't mind."
"Absolutely not," Noah said immediately. "I'm not kicking you out of your room."
"It's really okay—"
"I won't allow it." Noah's voice was gentle but firm. "You've already done so much, watching the kids all evening. I'm not going to displace you, either."
"Then we can both use it," Lena suggested, her voice barely above a whisper. "I brought a sleeping bag from back home, one of us can use it. It's really okay..."
Mrs. Dawson brightened. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind, Lena?"
"Not at all." Lena smiled shyly at Noah. "It's just for one night, right?"
"You're an angel," Noah said warmly. "Thank you. I promise I'll be a perfect gentleman."
"No!" Jace's voice boomed, causing everyone to stare at him awkwardly.
His mother's eyebrows rose. "No? Jace, what's wrong with them sharing a room? It's just for one night, and Lena offered—"
"I don't care who offered. He's not—she's not—"
Jace struggled to find words that didn't make him sound insanely jealous. "It's inappropriate!"
"Inappropriate?" His mother looked genuinely confused. "Jace, there are two separate beds. And Lena clearly feels comfortable with the arrangement."
"I don't give a fuck if there are ten separate beds, he's not staying in her room!"