The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"No way!" Noelle grinned, waving the documents at Charles but not actually handing them over. She flipped through them with a flourish. "Mr. Parker gave these to me. He said to give them a look when I can. The West City project is kicking off, and he's letting me shadow him. It's an awesome chance, and I'm not about to mess it up!"

"You won't mess up," Charles said with an easy laugh, glancing at the papers in Noelle's grasp. He was pleasantly surprised by Brian's generosity. "Brian's got skills. Stick with him, and you'll pick up a lot in no time!"

"I know, right?" Noelle chuckled, snapping the file shut. She had just woken up from a power nap and felt rejuvenated, though she knew better than to rush her work. "I've hijacked your study. I hope I'm not taking up your space."

"Not at all!" Charles said, his laugh light as he playfully tousled Noelle's hair. "Done with the paperwork?"

Noelle nodded, massaging her stiff neck. "Done for now."

Charles was not having it, though. He gently pulled her into a seat, leaving Noelle puzzled. Then, he circled behind her and began kneading her shoulders. Noelle was touched by the unexpected pampering and tried to protest, "Really, I'm fine..."

too light, not too firm-and Noelle felt her tension melt away. Charles caught the change in her, and a smile played at the

eyes fluttered open, and

first gig after coming back to Brookville. There was this big fuss about the dam because focals were dead set against any construction that might pollute their water. But Brian just worked around the river, designing these buildings that

played by

drifted to West City. "But this time, it's trickier. There are spots in West City that are off-limits, and the land's got its own set of issues. We'll need more tests to get the full picture. What do you think, will the West City land end up on the back

resting on Noelle's shoulder, paused briefly, but his smile

a hunch that

over there, and you can't just uproot those places. Plus, I've seen the factories around

a firm nod. "You've got a point. But hey, nothing's impossible, right? Stuff might be