Noel never wanted to punch someone as hard as she did Amber in that moment, but instead she’d walked away. Caught a ride home with Anthony and Pike and the next day, Nick and Amber were official. They’d never talked about that night again.
Perhaps it was time to let bygones be. With the exception of this month, Noel didn’t have to see Amber at all anymore except in passing. She could be cordial.
The cute little café bustled with people and usually stayed jam-packed until they closed at two. The pretty hostess, Kalynn, stood behind the podium and smiled as Noel approached. “Hi, Noel. How many in your party?”
“Hey. I’m not sure. It’s under Gabriella Montoya.”
Kalynn ran her finger over something on the podium and tapped it. “Ah, gotcha. Right this way.”
“Thanks.”
Noel trailed behind Kalynn to the table and sat down, pulling off her knit cap and gloves and slipping them into her simple black tote purse.
“I’ll have your waitress get you some water for the table. Have a good meal.”
“Thanks.” Noel was still smoothing her hair when Amber walked in, wearing ridiculously high heels and a barely-covering-her-ass dress. The song “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles popped into her head as Amber approached, her hips seeming to sway in slow motion. Her blond hair fell over the collar of her short, puffy jacket, which lay open, revealing the low cut of the dress. God had definitely given Amber a double dose of blessings up top.
Noel fiddled with the zipper of her jacket. She wasn’t as well-endowed as her nemesis, but she sported more than a handful.
Why am I even comparing myself to her? Get it together, Carter.
Finally, she slipped it off, draping it over the back of her chair. Amber sat down with a smirk, giving Noel’s simple sweater and jeans outfit a once-over.
“Hello, Noel.” Amber’s tone was sickly sweet. “You are looking rumpled. Did you have a good night or just forget to do something with yourself?”
I hope you slip on a piece of ice and bruise your butt.
Noel picked up her napkin and draped it over her lap with a smile. “I had a great night, Amber. How about yourself?”
“Yes, I’m very happy. You saw the guy I was with at Brews. Isn’t he gorgeous?”
Noel shrugged. “He’s okay if you like men who use more hair product than you.”
Amber scooped her menu up with a huff. “Like you’d know anything about men. You can’t even keep them satisfied. Everyone knows about Trip dropping you for Jillian. You sure do like to jump from guy to guy.” Amber didn’t even glance at her as she delivered the dig. She simply continued to study the menu while Noel glared daggers at her.
“Maybe in the past, but I think I landed on the right one this time.”
Amber finally met her gaze, her pouty lips pressed in a thin line. “I’m assuming the development between Nick and yourself is recent?”
The waitress came by and set the pitcher on the table. “Hi, do you need another moment?”
“Yes, we’re still waiting,” Noel said.
“Sure, I’ll check back in a bit.”
Noel snatched up the water pitcher in the middle of the table, letting Amber stew.
“I asked you a question,” Amber ground out.
Just a slip of the wrist and the cold liquid would wipe away the blue glitter on Amber’s eyelids. It would be hysterical to watch Amber jump up screaming, swiping at her face and fishing ice cubes out of her bra.
But today was about Gabs, and no matter what the heinous witch pulled, Noel would not rise to the bait.
Noel filled her glass and set the pitcher gently on the table. “Are you worried he was cheating on you, Amber? Because that’s your move, not his.”
Amber snatched up the water pitcher, watching Noel with a coy smile. “So, you two happened after I broke up with him yesterday? Talk about fast. You are a very brave woman.”
“What does that mean?” Noel snapped.
“I’m just saying I wouldn’t want to get involved with a guy coming out of something long term, that’s all. You should probably take things slow. For your sake. It’s so hard to go from fab to…well…” Amber took a sip of her water, drawing out the tension. “Drab.”
Noel leaned across the table, lowering her voice to a hiss. “I know you’re trying to push me into losing my cool, but it won’t work. I am here for Gabby.”
“Ahh, so noble.”
Noel took a deep, calming breath before picking up her water glass and holding it up in salute. “Besides, everyone in town knows you weren’t the perfect military girlfriend sitting home knitting Nick socks. Seems behaving like a decent human being already makes me better than you. I mean, I care for babies and you…what? Give men happy endings?”