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The last person I want packing up the few things I have left in this world is Noah.
It’s embarrassing. I don’t even know what I packed, I could have a box full of pillowcases and no pillows. My scented candle collection with no place to light them.
He’s going to take one look at these things and wonder what on earth was going through my mind. What kind of person packs bath towels instead of her mother’s wedding dress?
A person who chose practicality over sentimental value.
A person who was sleep-deprived and grieving instead of thinking logically.
Noah walks around the car and opens my door. I hold my breath as he leans over me to unbuckle my seatbelt. Closing my eyes doesn’t help, either; I still smell and feel his warmth.
“Are you in pain?” he asks as he scoops me into his arms.
“No.”
“You’re stiff as a board and not breathing.”
I release a breath. “Just put me down.”
He pushes his door open and carries me inside.
There was a time I imagined this differently. We’d both be laughing and drunk off champagne. But I gave up on my daydreams of marrying Noah Reeves a long time ago.
He sets me over the kitchen island but doesn’t pull away from me. His palms grip the counter on either side of me, and he releases a heavy breath. “Charlie, you’re not leaving until you’re healed. You have an infection, you’re exhausted, and you’re emotional. I’m the one responsible for you running out in slippers, so stop acting like we’re born enemies and let me take care of you.”
I level my gaze with his.
“It’s not your fault. There… you’re off the hook.”
“Oh okay.” He releases me and bends to a few shopping bags on the side of the counter. “Then maybe I should return these.” He pulls out a pair of fuzzy purple slippers. They’re vibrant and a lot thicker than the ones I destroyed. “They were going to be my guilt gift…but since I’m not responsible after all, I’ll just return them.”
“It’s totally your fault. I should sue.”
He grins and teases me with one slipper by my foot. “And you’re going to let me take care of you?”
“Sure. Put it on.”
“And you’re going to stop acting like a brat?”
I scrunch my nose.
“Yeah I suppose that is asking for too much.” He slides them both on and sets me down gently on the floor. It’s cushiony and not as hard on my skin.
“Thank you.”
He’s still holding onto me, his strong hands gripping my waist like I might fall if he lets go. But his eyes are soft now.
It’s been years since I asked for his forgiveness. And I thought I was done. So I’m not sure what possesses me to whisper these words to him right now. “I’m sorry for what happened between us. You didn’t deserve that.”
A grin touches my lips. I can’t stand how cute she is. How innocent she is. That she still thinks I broke up with her because of a kiss I know meant nothing…
“Why are you bringing that up again?”
“Because you still look at me like you have regrets. And I know those regrets are for ever getting involved with me.”
My heart aches. She’s so wrong. And so right.
“I don’t want to leave it like that, Noah.”
