The Cherished Wife

"Just me?" Noelle looked up, pointing at herself in surprise. "What about Arya?"

"She's got another project to keep an eye on!" Brian explained, giving Noelle a once-over. "Is that going to be a problem?"

"Not at all!" Noelle flashed a grin. "Why would there be any problems?"

"Great!" Brian tapped on Noelle's desk. "You're looking good-seems like you had a pretty good New Year's, huh?"

Noelle grinned. "Yeah, actually!" Setting aside the few downers, she had been having a decent time lately. "And you? How're you doing?"

She suddenly recalled the New Year's call to Teresa, where Brian's name came up. Teresa's voice had been all over the place, making Noelle wonder if something was brewing between her and Brian. However, she had known Brian long enough to know that reading him was not easy.

"Something on your mind?" Brian caught Noelle zoning out and asked, "Anything else?"

good. I just need to sort out some stuff. I might be out for a good

nodded.

was out of sight, Arya sidled up and gave Noelle's

"Oh, it was nothing!"

"So, what's up? You needed

a secret. "Guess what? Our Mr. Parker's got

widened in surprise, and she could not help but sneak a peek towards Brian's office. "Mr. Parker's got a girlfriend? How'd you find that out?" If Brian

lip, her face a mix of

the matter?

a sly grin. "You're not crushing on Mr. Parker, are you? She chuckled. "I gotta say, he is quite

LOV

the women here are head over heels for him, so it'd be no shock if you were too. But..." Arya's eyes dropped to Noelle's hand, and she