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She grinned. “You’ll what?”
He paused. “I—I’ll think of something.”
She settled back and picked up the remote. “Let me know when you do. It’sBachelorettetime.”
He stood. “You’re on your own with those fake relationships tonight. I still need to pack for Eldo.”
She sidestepped the opportunity to point out a “fake relationship” was exactly what they were doing. “You took off work tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. We’re gone Friday through Sunday morning. My parents are having a little get-together for my mom’s birthday on Sunday, so I wanted to be back for that. Would you mind coming with me?”
“Of course I’ll come.”
He started toward the hallway, then stopped and faced her again. He gripped the back of his neck, worry marring his brow. “Will you be okay? Here? While I’m gone?”
She laughed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
His expression didn’t change. “I don’t know. It’s just...you were always with Claire before. I feel sort of weird leaving you alone.”
“You think I can’t handle living by myself? I have roommates because Denver is expensive, not because I’m incapable of being alone.”
He shook his head, wincing. “No, I just meant...what if something happens and you need a doctor or something?”
Oh.
She frowned a little, still unsure how she felt about that. Part of her appreciated his concern while another rebelled at the thought of him feeling responsible for her. “I feel fine.”
He must have noticed her tone, because he opened his mouth like he might say more, but clamped it shut. He swallowed and nodded, leaving her alone.
8
“Go on, get out of here.” Graham put the car in Park, his glare belied by the wide grin on his face. “We’re not doing this again until you’re out of the honeymoon phase.”
Noah grunted something in response and grabbed his backpack. He’d been a shitty companion the last two days, it was true. He’d worried about Mia the whole time, and hadn’t been able to shut off his thoughts. Service was sketchy at the campsite, and the inability to text her and check in anytime he wanted made it worse. Being around her constantly these last few weeks had put her on his mind more than usual, and not just with the usual thoughts of whether she was happy or if she was feeling well. Now he wondered if she felt at home at his place—and what his electric bill would be. The woman left every light in the house on, and without him trailing behind her turning them off, his house probably sat like a neighborhood homing beacon all weekend.
He was also concerned about what Julia had said about David, and the fact David likely knew what he and Mia were doing. David had yet to say anything, and Noah had decided not to tell Mia. It would only stress her out, and maybe nothing would come of it. But just knowing that David knew... It still made him uneasy.
He should have canceled the trip altogether. Climbing while distracted was a recipe for disaster, but thankfully nothing had gone wrong.
He got out of the car, and when he was halfway up the driveway Graham yelled through the window.
“Think about Banff, okay?”
Noah didn’t even look back. That was another reason this weekend had sucked—Graham had brought up ice climbing. They’d avoided the subject for nine years, and Noah had been stupid enough to believe it was an unspoken understanding to leave it that way.
“Nathan would want you to go.”
Noah stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned.
Graham leaned across the passenger seat, his face clear as day through the window. His cocked brow was unapologetic.
“You don’t know what a dead man wants.”
Graham’s stone face slipped a little. “I know that much.”
“No.” Noah turned his back on his friend and went inside.
He dropped his bag by the door, his eyes immediately searching the room. Mia was on the couch, smiling at him.
