“Anyway, it doesn’t even matter,” I said, pushing my food around my plate, halfheartedly stabbing at a piece of roasted chicken. “He’s my boss. As long as he doesn’t fire me, we can just avoid each other.”
I looked up, expecting Noah or Hope to chime in with some reassurance, but instead, they exchanged one of those looks—the kind couples use to say everything without saying a damn word. It was a brief moment, but it still stung. That pang of loneliness hit me square in the chest, reminding me how far I was from having what they had. They didn’t say anything, though, which only made the knot in my stomach tighten.
Don’t get too comfortable,a familiar voice in my head reminded me.
I let out a breath, leaning back in my chair. Time to change the subject. “Anyway, what was that about? The land Holden mentioned—the one I wasn’t supposed to ride into?” I glanced between the two of them. “He freaked out like I’d crossed some forbidden line.”
Noah cleared his throat, shooting Hope a quick glance before turning his attention to me. “Well... you kinda did.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What? I thought it was all just open land. What’s the big deal?”
Noah shifted in his seat, clearly trying to find the right words. “Okay, think of it like this—Holden’s family and mine, we’re like... the Capulets and the Montagues. The land you were heading toward? That’s my family’s territory. And let’s just say they don’t take kindly to trespassers.”
My fork clattered against the plate as I dropped it, staring at Noah. “You’re kidding, right? You’re telling me I almost started some kind of Romeo and Juliet feud?”
Hope chuckled softly. “Trust me, we already did that, you know—without the poison and dying part.”
Noah snorted, then shook his head, his expression serious. “I’m not saying anyone would’ve thrown down right then and there, but yeah, it’s dangerous. My family isn’t exactly welcoming to strangers, even if they’re riding in on horseback.”
“Great,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “So why didn’t Holden just tell me that instead of losing his mind on me?”
Noah and Hope exchanged another one of those looks. This one lingered a little longer, and for the first time since I’d sat down with them, I started feeling like I was missing something big.
“There’s... more to it than that,” Hope said quietly, her eyes soft but cautious.
I narrowed my eyes. “You mean like some big secret everyone’s keeping from me?” I let out a short laugh, trying to lighten the tension in my chest. “’Cause it feels like I’m the only one around here who doesn’t know what the hell’s going on. Sarah’s the same way—always talking in half sentences, stopping herself mid-thought. I feel like there’s something just out of reach that no one’s saying.”
Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not like that, Mylo. There’s just... things you’ll understand eventually. Just... give it time.”
I blinked, unsure what to say to that. “Right. Because time clears everything up,” I muttered, half under my breath.
Hope smiled sympathetically, leaning over to pat my arm. “Trust us, Mylo. There are reasons for everything, even if they’re not obvious right now.”
“Yeah, well, it would be nice if someone actually explained those reasons,” I muttered, glancing between the two of them. But it was clear they weren’t about to spill anything, and I didn’t have the energy to press.
After dinner, I found myself playing with Noah and Hope’s daughter, Lily. She was all curly hair and big brown eyes, giggling as I lifted her into the air like an airplane. Her laughter was contagious, and for a moment, I forgot about all the stress of the day. She was just so... light. Free. The kind of happy that made you believe in something better, even when things felt uncertain.
“You’re pretty good with kids,” Noah commented, leaning against the doorframe with a smile.
I smiled back, setting Lily down gently. “Yeah, well... I’ve always wanted a big family.”
Noah’s smile softened. “You’ll have that someday. I’ve got a feeling.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “Doubt it. Not really in the cards for me.” But even as the words left my mouth, images of Holden flashed unbidden in my mind—broad shoulders, those intense brown eyes, the way his voice sent a shiver down my spine every time he said my name.
It was ridiculous. I barely knew the guy.
And yet...
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Noah said, his tone light but thoughtful, like he knew something I didn’t. “Things have a way of working out when you least expect it.”
I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t know, man. I mean, Holden’s handsome and strong and... sexy as hell,” I admitted, feeling a little heat rise in my cheeks as I said it out loud. “But he’s also my boss. And honestly? I don’t think he’s interested in me at all. If anything, it seems like he can barely tolerate me.”
Noah chuckled softly. “Holden’s not the easiest guy to read, that’s for sure. But trust me, there’s more going on than you realize.”
“Yeah?” I shot him a skeptical look. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
He just grinned, shaking his head. “You’ll figure it out.”
