“Moo’s still alive?” I don’t control the hopeful inflection in my tone in time.
“Of course you’re more concerned about a goddamnedcat,” Carly mutters, then slips into her car.
She slams her door shut at my question and revs her engine.
I don’t bother to watch her drive off when gravel spews against my pants as she reverses out, too focused on Noa fidgeting in front of me.
My strides lengthen when I think about whether she still smells the way she used to, like vanilla and oranges. I can’t help but want to close the distance.
I reach the top of the porch steps, dropping my luxury suitcases to my feet. “Hello.”
My voice comes out rougher than intended, butdamn, it’s so good to see her.
Noa does nothing I’d expect. She doesn’t leap into my arms or burst into tears or scream at me for not saying a word to her all these years. Nothing a standard scorned woman from my past would do.
No, all she does is stare at me quizzically. Almost … appalled.
I attempt to brush it off. “I’m used to people freezing in my presence, but not in a way where they look horrified.”
Noa blinks. “I—you just surprised me, is all.”
I spread my hands. “I didn’t expect you here, either, visiting my mother after all these years.”
Noa’s response is to further commit to her appalled expression. “Does it look like I’m visiting her?”
“Yes.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “No, Will—sorry,Stone.I’m notvisitingher.”
My chin notches at her tone. “I’m asking what you’re doing on my mother’s porch. Not that I mind, but …”
Noa stares at me. “Is this funny to you?”
I frown. “No. Is my expression communicating that this is humorous?”
She ducks into my vision. I control my instincts enough not to react to her sudden proximity.
“Will, I need to know if you’re kidding right now.”
“Stone,” I correct.
“Okay, stop with whatever emotionless corporate assessment you’re doing and be serious.”
“Corporate assessment?” I echo, allowing the question to come forward. It’s annoyance that tightens my voice and not the effort of lifting my luggage when I add, “I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry for that. I truly am.”
A decade ago, I would’ve sworn up and down that it was impossible to snuff the light out of Noa’s eyes. The wiser, jaded me knows better since I’m the first one who managed to do that to her.
“It’s been ten years, Noa. You can’t possibly hold on to hate that long. Not you.” I cock my head. “Or is it the opposite? Do you think chatting with my mother will bring you closer to me?”
“You think I’m here because I’m pining for you?” Noa holds her hands to her face, growing red with anger. “Oh myGod, you have it so backward.” She spins away, pacing her side of thesmall porch. “I expected your new life to make you cold, but not obtuse.”
I frown at her back. “Whatever’s going on with you, I wish you the best. I’m going inside now.”
She whirls with a dawning expression. “You really don’t know what’s going on, do you?”
Noa reaches for me, but I dodge out of her way. “This was nice, but I’d like to unpack now.”
One of my greatest pet peeves, one I haven’t been able to shake since I was a kid, is not understanding what’s right in front of me when everybody else seems to. Of all people, Noa should’ve remembered that.
