She stepped forward. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I don’t blame you for telling them.”
Okay, now she was really confused. “Telling who what?”
“You told the deputy about my flashbacks.”
She frowned. “No, I didn’t. Why would I do that? They have nothing to do with what happened today.”
He studied her for a moment, like he was trying to work out whether she was telling the truth. “You’re sure?”
“Of course. Did someone else say something?”
“The deputy who interviewed me mentioned it. He also brought up how I threatened to kill Rhett.”
She gasped. “He doesn’t think—”
“I don’t know. But when you put it all together, it doesn’t look good.”
She touched his chest. “Jesse knows you. He knows you wouldn’t actually kill Rhett.”
“I don’t care about that anyway. Right now, I just care about you. Us.” His hands went to her hips. “If you ever decide that you want to be with someone else…”
“Someone else?”
“Someone younger. Someone who doesn’t come with a shitload of trauma. That’s okay.”
“You think we get to choose who we love?”
His fingers tightened on her hips. “Love?”
“Yeah. I’m falling in love with you, Noah. And you don’t have to say it back. But youdoneed to understand that I’m not going anywhere. Ifeelsafe with you.” She stopped and swallowed. “But if us being together is affecting your business or slowing down your progress in therapy—”
“No. I don’t care about the park right now. I care about you and your safety. That’s it.”
“Good. Then there’s no problem.”
There was still something in his eyes. Maybe a flicker of doubt? But before she could mention it, he lowered his head and kissed her. And just like that, every worry, every whisper of uncertainty inside her, just faded away.
CHAPTER 19
Addie scrunched her eyes at the ringing phone.
No. She did not want to wake up. She’d been in that deep sleep where even cracking one eye open was a challenge.
The ringing stopped.
Thank God.
She started to drift off again, only for the phone to start ringing a second time.
Holy Hannah. She was going to murder them. Yep, they were going to be dead, and she was going to be arrested.
Noah’s arm tightened around her waist, and he nuzzled her neck from behind. “Want me to answer it?”
Yes. But that would require him to sit up and reach over her for her phone, when she could just stretch out a hand and answer it. Talk about lazy on her part.
“No, I’ve got it.” With eyes still closed, she reached for the phone on the bedside table and put it to her ear. “Hello?”
