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“I think that’s a great plan.” I glance up at the clock and toward the window. “It’s gonna get dark soon, and not that I want you to leave, but you should get going.”
Noah stands up and pulls me with him, then places a soft kiss on my lips. “Love you, sweetheart. So much.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, and he squeezes my waist. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” I admit.
A car door slams, and I peek outside to see Owen and my mother. Owen’s talking her head off as they walk down the sidewalk toward the front door. Seconds later, I open it, and as soon as my mother sees Noah, she lights up.
“Hi, Noah,” she says, and he greets her in return.
“Hello, Mrs. Walker. You look nice today.”
I think I see my mother blush, and I shake my head at him when he passes her. “I’ll text you when I get home,” Noah tells me with a smile and a wink before saying goodbye to Owen.
“Bath,” I tell Owen, and he listens.
“You two look good together,” Mom tells me, and I feel like a shy twelve-year-old girl again.
“Thanks, Mama,” I say as she turns. “Be careful out there.”
“You too, honey.” She gives me a smile, then leaves.
After his bath, Owen does his homework, and I text Everleigh. I fill her in on the plan involving Eric.
Everleigh: Eric? Oh, I remember him! How could a girl forget?
She always has a way of making me laugh, even when I don’t need it. Almost immediately, she sends another text.
Everleigh: All jokes aside, Eric’s a good guy. He’ll keep y’all protected. I trusted him with my brother’s life.
Katie: Thank you! That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Everleigh: You’re welcome. Also, I miss hanging out with you!
I smile because I know she’s being genuine.
Katie: We need to get together and plan Gemma’s baby shower!
Everleigh: Yes, we do. The sooner, the better.
Katie: I’ll shoot some dates over to you tomorrow.
Another text comes through, and I see it’s Noah letting me know he made it home. I release a sigh of relief and tell him good night. An hour passes, and I start yawning. I get up and tuck Owen in before going to bed. I fall asleep instantly with hope in my heart that everything will work out for the best.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
NOAH
A few daysafter talking to Tyler and devising a plan to get Eric to Alabama, I decide it’s time to tell my dad and Belinda. Since I won’t be staying here, they’d know something was up, and I don’t want them to worry.
I didn’t hold back and told him about everything I knew. I even admitted to overhearing their conversation about what Belinda heard at the deli between Loretta and Brittany. Then I mentioned our theory on Brittany being Gabe’s mistress and having his son. Though I’ve had days to process this, it still feels unreal.
“You sure about this?” Dad asks once I finish. “Having a bodyguard?”
“Yeah, he’s trained and can help keep us safe until whoever the man they’re working with is caught.”
“Trained in what exactly?” Belinda furrows her brows.
“He protected people in the mafia in Vegas,” I say truthfully. “Last year, he helped Tyler and Gemma too. If they trust him, then I do too.”
