“And that’s one of the reasons I love you.”
Guilt sliced at his words. “I don’t want to think about Dustin anymore. At least it’s over.”
“You think so?”
I sat up a little straighter on the couch. “You don’t?”
Noah shrugged. “I dunno. Seems like he has more reason than before to try to hurt you.”
Maybe. I didn’t understand how much he hated me. But I also didn’t quite realize how much he really loved Kayla and Bailey. What I saw in his eyes as he looked at Kayla wasn’t just guilt. It seemed like she wasn’t just his prized Barbie doll like I’d thought. “No. I think he’s done. I don’t think he’ll do anything else for fear Kayla will leave him.”
“Won’t she?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe. She for sure can, now that we have those pictures. She made him leave, so she might.”
“Well, if I were her—”
“Can we please talk about something else? I don’t want to rehash it anymore.”
“Sure. I’m sorry.” Noah scratched at Ron’s head.
“No. Don’t be sorry.” I leaned toward him. “I’m sorry.”
His brows narrowed as he looked at me. “About what? This wasn’t your fault.”
“No, I know that. I’m sorry that I didn’t stop and think. That I told you I’d move in and then I just disappeared.”
He waved me off. “Oh please. Who wouldn’t have? I’m just glad you didn’t have any rekindled feelings for Stewart as you were locked in a bathroom with him.”
A laugh burst from me. “Oh dear God! Shut your mouth.”
He laughed with me, and then his smile grew more serious. “So we’re moving in together, huh?”
A touch of the earlier excitement trickled back in, and I looked at him. Really looked at him.
Noah Carroll.
Finally.
“Yeah. Kinda crazy, right?”
“Something like that. Though I wouldn’t classify it as crazy. I’m the one who said it was meant to be, remember?”
“True.” As baffling as it was. “You know, Kayla says you’re going to ask me to marry you soon.”
Noah jerked in surprise, his eyes going wide. “Did she?”
“Yep.” I couldn’t suppress my grin.
He relaxed. “That Kayla. It’s rare you find someone so pretty and so smart wrapped up in the same package.”
I had no idea how to respond to that. Luckily Noah changed the subject.
“So I had a thought today. I don’t want to go into detail yet. Not till I figure out the finer points, but would you please send me a copy of the picture you took of Bailey and the dogs in Pioneer Square?”
“Sure.” I peered at him suspiciously. “Why?”
He grinned. “Mind your own business.” He gestured to the kitchen. “By the way, I bought cupcakes to celebrate on the way home. You want one now?”
