AllFreeNovel
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I glance at my mother out of the corner of my eye. “I’m in love with her.”
Mom claps. “Hallelujah! I thought I’d die before I got to see you fall in love with someone.”
“You had a lot of faith in me, I see.”
“Honey, I knew it was going to take a miracle for you to find someone who could put up with your stubborn, grouchy, set-in-your-ways attitude.”
“It’s not exactly like that.”
“Why not?”
“I might’ve pushed her away.”
Mom tilts her head, wearing that all-knowing expression mothers tend to have. “So, pull her back in.”
“You say it as if it’s easy.”
“No, honey. Love is never easy. It’s anything but.” She leans closer. “Which is why it takes a lot of effort.”
I nod. “I planned on fixing it until this whole thing with Noah happened.”
“But you called Elena for help, and she came running.”
I nod again. “She did.”
“You made her think you didn’t want her. Now it’s time to show her that you do.”
Elena
I tapmy knuckles against the doorframe. “Can I come in?”
Noah nods without lifting her eyes to mine from my bed. “It’s your room.”
I was hoping she’d be feeling better after sleeping on it, but she seems sadder today. Quieter. And I don’t know if that’s better or worse than anger.
I lower myself onto the edge of the bed. “Do you want to talk about anything?”
“I’m kind of talked out after last night.”
“I get that.” I stroke her hair as she scoots up against the headboard. “You feel like eating anything special for lunch? You barely touched the pancakes this morning.”
“I do want something actually.”
“Anything. What can I make for you?”
The whites of her eyes are bloodshot as she lifts them to meet mine. “I want you to take me back to Houlihan’s.”
“Oh, Noah. I don’t know if that’s—”
“Please, Len.” Her bottom lip trembles. “I need to do this.”
And in my heart, I know she’s right. Her father has been fighting her battles for her, and he kept this major secret from her. She needs to confront Tara on her own. She needs answers, and they’re the kind of answers her father can’t give her.
“Fine. But I’m telling your father what we’re doing.”
She rolls her eyes. “Can you at least wait until we’re on the way there so he can’t try to stop us?”
“Deal.”
