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“Of course. He’s a keeper.”
“I don’t know why I’m reacting like this,” I finally mumbled, feeling a little ridiculous about it all.
I was missing Noah so fiercely that it annoyed me. I fell asleep crying twice this week. I knew my pride was getting in the way, but I didn’t know what to do next.
“I think two things are happening. Quinn’s father showing up in the midst of that investigation is stressful. Trying to trust him is huge. He seems, at best, marginally interested in connecting with her,” Melanie said, her tone soft.
“I know. He’s been nice, and I think he does want to connect, but he doesn’t grasp that she’s a teenager and has her own feelings and opinions.”
“Teenagers are not easy, even for those of us who know what to do with them. There’s that, which would definitely bring up all kinds of stuff for you, and then letting Noah in, andreallyletting him in. Quinn loves him, and it’s obvious to me she looks at him like a father figure. I’m sure you love that, but it’s also hard because it’s just been you and her against the world. I like to think I’m part of your family, but it’s not the same.”
“You are,” I broke in.
She smiled warmly. “Good. But I’m off to the side. I’m not there day in and day out and never will be. If you and Noah stay together, he’ll be more than just someone on the side, and I think that scares you. I can’t speak for him, but my gut tells me he’s in it all the way.”
I swiped at my tears and gulped my coffee. After a moment, I asked, “So I should probably call him?” I looked down at my coffee cup as if that would tell me what to do.
“Or at least answer when he calls,” she said. “Before you call him, I think you should talk to Quinn. She’s being a little shitty about this.”
“What do you mean?”
Melanie drummed her fingertips on the table before replying, “She’s angry with you for setting a limit about something that’s your prerogative. Teenagers have that tendency.”
My chest felt tight, and my throat was a little scratchy. I knew precisely what Melanie meant, and while I knew she was right, this was one topic I didn’t want to press my daughter on. It was the kind of sore spot that felt so vulnerable, as if torn open, the wound might deepen.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally said.
ChapterThirty-Two
NOAH
I glared at my sister. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, maybe you need to do something other than burying yourself in work,” Thea said.
“Thea, Sasha told me to give her space. Now you’re telling me to ignore that?”
My sister pursed her lips, giving me a pointed look. “Not ignore it, but perhaps make it clear how you feel.”
I threw my hands up in the air as I turned, walking across my living room to look out the front windows. It was evening in Boston, and rush-hour traffic could be heard in the distance. I watched the cars passing by below. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I turned. The echo of my footsteps on the floor annoyed me. The space felt empty. I’d become accustomed to staying at Sasha’s. Although her apartment was small, the two most important people in my world were there—Sasha and Quinn.
When I met my sister’s eyes from across the room where she stood by the couch, her gaze softened, and her lips twisted to the side. “You look sad. You really love her, don’t you?”
My chest was uncomfortably tight, balled with emotion. Looking down, I dragged the toe of my shoe across one of the flooring planks as I nodded. “Yeah, I do.” I shrugged when I looked at Thea again. “And she won’t have me.”
Thea shook her head. “She will.” She let out a short sigh followed by a low laugh. “I can’t believe Dallas, and now you have both fallen for my friends. It seems convenient, but also annoying.”
“Well, it could be awkward if Sasha and I don’t work this out.”
“Send her flowers.”
“Again?”
Thea nodded firmly. “Yes. She’s been living the non glamorous life of a single mom. She’s never been wooed. You two fell together quickly. So woo her. I don’t think it’ll take much. Whether it’s flowers or something else, do something to woo her.”
I was game. I would try just about anything to win Sasha back. I felt as if I were walking a tightrope. I wanted to respect her feelings but make sure she knew how much I cared. I stared back at my sister. I knew just the thing.
ChapterThirty-Three
