CHAPTER 10

John knew Chris was probably going apeshit by now if he was listening to the conversation but what was he supposed to do? The more time he spent in Noel's company, the more he began to like her. She was funny, smart, sweet, attractive. But probably her best trait was the fact that she was married to one of the wealthiest guys in the country, used to being treated like royalty wherever she went but she didn't expect it or ACT like one would have thought.

He supposed… that was the humble, country girl roots still shining through. If he hadn't known she came from a small town in Texas, he never would have guessed it.

"Your husband is a very lucky man." He said quietly.

"Hmmm." She agreed without agreeing, her brows furrowing for a moment at the thought of Shane before shoving him out of mind. He was not a part of her day. "I'm sure he'd agree." She said dryly, trying not to be rude but not up to lying about how great her husband was either.

Sensing the sudden change in her mood, John cracked a grin at her. "If you were my woman, you'd never be out of bed." He teased, pleased to see her blush as well as smile slightly. "You would have breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed; including dessert."

Her blush deepened when his voice went husky, looking down at the table.

John cleared his throat, frowning when she began shredding a napkin. "He doesn't romance you, does he." It wasn't a question.

"I've been married for over ten years, romance fades after five." Noel murmured, quickly getting to her feet. She pulled out several bills from her purse and dropped them on the table. "I need to go." She said, not looking at him.

One part of her couldn't believe he had gathered that from her. The other part was awed at his boldness in so bluntly stating it.

John blinked, having not been expecting that and got up to follow her; finally catching her on the sidewalk. "Noel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way." He said softly, knowing he had probably just royally pissed her. "And you're wrong, about romance fading, it doesn't have too."

She inhaled sharply.

"Marriage lasts when two people make it work and keep the passion going."

Noel's hazel eyes narrowed, turning and walked away from him.

***

"That was brilliant, when two people make it work?" Matt mocked the minute John was back. "You asshole! She's a battered woman, are you TRYING to scare her away with your Dr. Phil bullshit?"

"I'm not a doctor…" Punk said, then smacked his forehead when Matt shot him a look. "Oh yeah, that bald guy, right, sorry. But Matt has a point, Cena," He said, taking the heat off of himself as he raided Chris' fridge, snorting when he found bottled water and… whiskey. "You don't just tell a woman that, they need to be romanced; not counseled."

"I'm sorry!" John knew he probably had blown it with Noel and ran a hand over his face; regretting saying that. Whatever had made him blurt it out was beyond him. "I panicked. I'm a moron, I admit it. Get off my ass."

Chris came out of his office, whistling.

"Oh fuck you, Irvine."

***

"It's been almost a week and she hasn't called or texted your ass." Matt said, watching as Chris and John made themselves comfortable in his basement. So comfortable they were shooting pool at his pool table, ignoring his rule about purposely jumping the balls. "Text her man, you got her number."

John scowled, ignoring Chris' snort.

"Or… you could go to this club she and her husband will be at tonight." Phil said, coming down the wooden steps; a newspaper in hand.

"Don't you knock?" Matt demanded.

"Um…" Phil rapped his knuckles against the wall. "Can I come in?"

Rolling his eyes, Matt turned his attention back to the game.

"Look." Phil laid the paper out on the pool table, ignoring the protests he got and pointed at the picture of Shane and Noel that headed the social page. "New place, grand opening and they'll be there. Invitation only but I can fix that. You interested, John?"

"She doesn't want to see me." John murmured, setting down his pool stick; grunting when the paper was thrown at his face.

"You're doing it." Chris said flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"And if I don't?"

"I'll shove this pool stick so far up your ass you'll have splinters on your tongue for weeks. Now what's it going to be?"

John studied his partner, taking in the way Chris tapped the stick against the palm of his hand. "When and where?" He sighed.

"Tonight, party starts at seven, you'll be arriving at eight. Downtown, rich side. I'll give you the address and make sure you're semi-formal."

Matt smirked when John groaned. "Let's hook him up with a mini-cam."

"Not a bad idea…"

***

Noel was all smiles as her husband helped her from the limo, taking his hand and nodded to the news crews who were on location trying to get a story. While they weren't celebrities, their money entitled them to the same attention as stars on occasions such as these. Not to mention they were well known for donating to charities and various causes, which made them a favorite couple for the press.

She wrapped an arm around Shane, leaning into him as he stopped to pose for a quick picture. A black skirt, stilettos and a black tank top with her hair down and her 'face' on; she looked and felt airbrushed.

She could hear the music thumping inside and knew this was going to be one long, long night.

Once inside, she accepted the glass of wine she was handed by Shane; both of them aware a few glasses wouldn't harm the baby. Sipping it, she stood by his side as he made small talk with several people; including the club owner, smiling and nodding when she was addressed.

After thirty minutes of it, she was bored.

Spotting Trish, Noel excused herself to go mingle, knowing Shane wouldn't mind since they were there to be seen anyway. "Why am I not surprised to see you here?" She demanded over the music, standing away from the crowded dance floor.

"You know me, I love grand openings." Trish replied with a cheerful smile, raising her glass to toast her friend. "How are you?" She asked in a quieter voice, not wanting to be overheard as she pulled Noel aside. Her warm brown eyes were filled with worry as she took Noel in, inwardly sighing in relief when she didn't spot any obvious signs of abuse.

"I'm fine." Noel said, changing the subject instantly. "Jay with you tonight?"

Trish nodded across the room.

Noel followed her gaze to Jay Resno, Trish' longtime boyfriend who was chatting with another guy. When he caught them looking at him, he smiled and waved.

She listened as Trish started chatting again, though her attention was pulled away by the man who had just walked through the huge; arched doorways. "Oh my God…" She groaned, blushing.

"What? Who is it?"

"Shut up, Trish."

"Come on, tell me." Trish demanded, looking around to see who had gotten Noel's attention.

***

John could not believe he was doing this. His blue eyes gave the crowded room a cursory glance before snatching a glass of liquid courage from a passing server; downing it quickly. He knew he looked the part, but damn if he didn't feel awkward in the black suit, wearing a crisp white undershirt beneath it; glad he hadn't let Phil talk him into a tie.

"You three ready for this?" He asked softly, a mic once more attached to the gold chain he wore around his neck. The real kicker was that Phil had even put a mini cam on him.

The oddity was: it was on his belt.

Chris had smacked the shit out of Phil for that one.

"Get going Cena, you're wasting time." Chris ordered, knowing John could hear him because he was wearing a tiny ear piece.

"Blow me, Irvine."