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“Laws are different here,” I say.
“Then we’ll learn them and take action. I’m not letting you or Ava get hurt, and you’re not going to be in danger on my watch.”
I nod. I’m relieved Noah is here to help me take care of Jean-Pierre. The past month, he’s tried to buy me over, intimidating me when it didn’t work, and to fend for myself.
Now, it’s all different. The fact that Noah is Ava’s biological father also changes everything. He has a say in her life.
The topic changes to Ava. He asks about her hobbies, her likes and her dislikes, and how she’s doing at school. He wants to know when her birthday is and what we do for Christmas and Easter. He really cares about her and the life she’s living here.
“I can’t wait to meet her,” he says. “Sooner, rather than later, so I don’t have to sneak around to see you. And I want to spend time with her, too. I want to get to know her.”
I hesitate. I’ve always held Ava close, trying to protect her. Especially after Jean-Pierre left. It hurt her, and I don’t want her to go through that again.
As if Noah can read my mind, he puts his hand on mine.
“We’re not still trying to decide if we like each other. At least, I’m not. I know this is where I want to be. I love you, and I want to be with you.” He thinks about it for a moment before he adds, “but however long you think she needs, that’s okay. You’re her mom; you know what she needs and how we should do this.”
I’m surprised at his words. He’s willing to let this happen at our pace, not his. He’s not demanding and controlling. I’m so used to getting that from Jean-Pierre, not having the friction is strange.
I nod, and we keep talking. I tell him about my life here and how I struggled at first. He tells me how he got his job as a general manager for an NFL team. We’re filling in all the gaps of the past five years, and for the first time, I can talk to him without hiding anything. There are no secrets between us. He knows everything, and it is relieving to be able to talk about Ava freely.
For years, I’ve harbored this secret. Only I knew who her father was. Now, I can finally let go and breathe.
When dinner is finished, Noah helps me clean up the kitchen. He helps me wash dishes and put them away. He helps me fold the tablecloth, and I take the flowers to the living room to put them on the coffee table.
He’s right behind me.
“This is a beautiful apartment,” he says, looking around.
“It’s not much, but the views are what sold me on it.”
He walks to one of the windows from where we can see the Eiffel Tower.
“Even without the view, it’s pretty damn cool,” he says. “But I think I’m biased.” He turns to me. “I love it because you’re here.”
He pulls me closer and kisses me, and I allow myself to melt against him. I have no reason why this won’t work. I’ve seen him with Kylie. I think it might take time, but he knows what to do with kids. Ava will like him.
I’m sure of it.
Ilovehim. And I want to do this for him. Hell, the guy is willing to move to a different continent for me. The least I can do is try. There’s no doubting how serious he is about all of this.
Something niggles at the back of my mind, and I break the kiss, frowning.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Giving up your career—”
“I want to do this.”
“I’m worried that after all this time, finally finding where you belong, you might feel like you have to give up your dream again.”
“Babe, you don’t get it. My career and football and all the rest of it isn’t my dream anymore. Sure, I love it, and I’m passionate about football. But my dream is a life with you. The rest will work itself out. When you’re in the right place, that’s how it works.”
He kisses me again, and this time, I don’t argue with him.
I have nothing left to say.
Noah guides me toward the couch, but I break the kiss and shake my head. I don’t want to do it here. I want him to come to my room with me.
I lead him to my bedroom, and there, it’s my turn to push him against the wall the way he’s done to me so many times. I press the length of my body against his, stand on my toes, and kiss him. His tongue is in my mouth, and his scent, his taste, it’s all too familiar. It’s what I’ve been craving since the moment I left New York.
