The corner of her mouth tugs downward, and she hesitates for half a breath before speaking.
“No, no. Stay at home. Uh, Dean and Callum are actually here. They stopped by to say hi when the power went out… Yeah, definitely. That’s what they suggested too.”
I have to bite back a grin.
It takeseverythingin me not to smirk or say something along the lines ofSee? Even your dad agrees with me.
The little spark of amusement that threatens to break through feels almost foreign after the last hour, but I can’t help it.
Even irritated and exasperated, she’s still pure Noelle—stubborn and always trying to do everything herself.
She exhales a long, tired sigh into the phone, her hand rubbing absently over her forehead. “I know. I will, I promise… Love you too.”
When she hangs up, she sets the phone down on the counter and presses both palms against her face, her shoulders slumping. For a brief moment, the mask slips.
The carefully maintained composure, the polite professionalism bleeds into frustration.
Normally, I’d feel guilty for putting her in this kind of position—trapped between us and her instinct to stay in control—but this time, I can’t.
It’s not about ego or old emotion driving me to this point, just simple practicality.
It’s not safe for her and Eli to walk out there in that kind of storm.
She knows it.
Iknow it.
Even Richard knows it.
And if keeping her with us means she’s safe and alive come morning, then so be it.
She can be mad at us all she wants.
Callum reappears, snow dusting his jacket from where he must’ve checked the street.
He’s got his phone pressed to his ear, brow furrowed in concentration as he listens.
After a few beats, he tucks it away in his pocket and exhales with a firm nod.
“Good news. Hotel’s fine.”
I don’t miss the way Noelle’s expression tightens at that.
Her lips part just slightly, her eyes rolling heavenward like she’s seconds away from groaning out loud.
Instead, she presses her hand to her temple and says nothing, but the resistance is written all over her face.
This time, Idogrin. I can’t help it.
“Well. Guess we better get moving then,” I say, dragging the word out as I lean one hip against the counter.
Her head snaps toward me and I can see the conflict play out in her eyes. The logical part of her that knows I’m right, warring with the fiercely independent streak that hates being told what to do.
Eli, blissfully unaware of the silent battle unfolding above him, looks up from his coloring and beams.
“We’re going to a hotel?” Excitement bubbles in his voice.
Noelle sighs again. “Looks like it. Let’s go put on your coat and boots so we can get going.”
