Page 31 of Noelle's Secret Admirer

“I can’t promise that, but I can promise I’ll do my best to keep myself safe,” she replied, her gaze locking with mine, full of stubborn determination. It was classic Eve. It was why I loved her, but also why she worried me so much. I could only hope that she knew what she was doing, for both our sakes.

She gave me a quick hug and left out the side door. I watched through the windows of my shop as she jumped up into the passenger seat of his car rather than back into her own. Once her door closed, he finally pulled his eyes away from me and got in the car. Something about him never sat right with me and since he’d been back in town, it felt like he was even more on edge than he was when they were kids. I knew the promise they’d made to each other. Hell, everyone did, and Eve’s birthday was days away. My parents believed the best in people, and at times I wish I had been with them since I was born. Maybe then I could think that way too.

I reached into the pocket of my coveralls and pulled out my phone.

Maxwell: I know I said I’d give you time and I will, but I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. I love you Noelle, and if you need me for anything, please call me. I won’t press you for answers. I just want to be there for you.

I watched as the three little bubbles popped up as if she were about to respond, and then they disappeared. Standing there alone with her car in front of me and my heart torn to shreds, I faced the reality that the next few days or weeks were going to be the worst of my life.

Chapter Thirteen

Noelle

Threeweeks.Ithadbeen three weeks since I last saw Max and it was the hardest three weeks of my life. I ran through every emotion I’ve ever had and settled on contentment for the time being. The pain and sadness were only rivaled by the confusion and hurt. I cried more than I knew I could. I’d leave my blinds open some nights in hopes he was out there watching me, and yet every time I thought I saw a shadow, he was nowhere in sight. He said he’d give me space, but more times than not, I wished that weren’t true. Other than seeing my dad when he dropped my car off to me, I stayed clear of my parents. I assured both of them that what Max and I were going through had nothing to do with the family and we both committed it would affect no one other than us. My mother didn’t believe me, but that wasn’t surprising in the least. She always saw right through my bullshit, which was one of the many reasons I loved her.

It was late when I got to the garage. They had been closed for hours and most of the town was sound asleep, but when I looked up to the second floor of the building, I could see a light on in Max’s apartment. I used the key I had to enter the side door and climbed the stairs. When I got to the top, he was standing there in nothing but a pair of sweatpants. The light behind him illuminated his features and something deep inside me fluttered its pleasure at seeing him again.

“You’re here.”

“I am,” I said, my voice a bit uncertain.

“Do you want to come in?”

He stepped to the side, and I walked into his space. The heat of his body so close made me want to fall into his arms, but I knew I had something that needed to be said before we made any moves to fix what we both had broken. I made my way over to the couch and saw it covered where he had been sitting with bundles of rope.

“Working on a side project?”

“Honing my skills,” he said, raising his eyebrows with a small smirk.

That’s when it clicked and I realized the ropes in front of me were just like the ones he showed me one of the first times we were together. I never gave him an answer about playing with them, but as I reached for a bundle and felt the fibers in my hands, I knew without a doubt I wanted this with him. I wanted everything he’d be willing to give me in this life.

“Do you want a drink?”

“Uh, no I’m okay.”

“Okay.”

We stood staring at each other as I struggled for the words I had practiced again and again on my way over here. Seeing him was harder than I realized it would be. I suddenly didn’t want to talk. I wanted him, but we still had so far to go.

“So, uh… how’s the car running?”

“Good. Yeah, thanks. I still owe you for that.”

“No, you don’t. Consider it a family discount,” he winked and my insides turned to mush.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“I figured that might be why you are here.”

“I thought I’d have more questions, but I don’t and I thought you were lying about giving me space but you weren’t, were you?”

“No, I wasn’t lying. Did you not want me to give you time to think about everything?”

“I thought I did. I had a hard time looking back on all the times I thought someone was watching me and realizing it was you. It was even harder rereading my letters and hearing your voice instead of mine.” I sat down on the couch and watched as he moved to do the same.

“I’m sorry I put you in a position that made things so difficult for you.”

“Did you really break Andrew’s nose?”