“Noah.” Jenna’s voice gentled. “I know that look. I saw it in the mirror for months before finally admitting I needed something different from what we had. Quit trying to do what you think everyone expects from you. For once in your life, go after whatever’s going to makeyouhappy. Not your parents. Not me. Not what’s best for your career.”
“This isn’t anything like that.” But the protest felt weak, even to his ears.
“Isn’t it?” She gestured at the blueprints Luke had left, at the careful notes in margins about cost-saving alternatives. “Someone who cares that much about saving your home…might be worth exploring why.”
Noah’s phone buzzed.
Keaton knows a guy who specializes in historical restoration. Willing to consult for free this weekend.
It was weird that Luke was texting from the other room, right?
Before he could respond, another message appeared.
No pressure. Just options for whenever you’re ready.
“Interesting,” Jenna mused, watching Noah’s face. “He’s fighting pretty hard for this place. Question is, what are you fighting for?”
Or against, Noah thought, watching Luke explain something to Eli with infinite patience. Fighting against change, againstuncertainty, against feelings he’d buried so deep he’d convinced himself they didn’t exist.
“Some fights,” Jenna said softly, “are worth losing.”
Noah looked at the insurance report and then at the blueprints covered in Luke’s careful notes about alternatives and possibilities. Maybe it was time to stop fighting. To admit that some things—houses, hearts, hope—deserved a chance at restoration.
His phone buzzed one final time.
We’ll figure it out. Whatever you decide.
We’ll. Luke kept speaking as if the two of them were in this together. But maybe that’s what courage looked like—not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it anyway. To admit that some problems didn’t need individual solutions.
Some things just needed the right partner to tackle them with.
CHAPTER NINE
Noah stared at his phone,opened to the text thread with Luke. He’d drafted and deleted at least six messages, each attempt sounding too casual or too loaded with implications. Around him, his empty classroom held the lingering echo of teenagers discussing Fitzgerald, but his mind drifted to work-roughened hands and quiet laughter.
How did you invite your contractor to dinner when you weren’t sure if you wanted to discuss repairs or…other things? That was a lie. They’d moved beyond talking about repairs, and Luke thought he might have Eli’s bedroom and the upstairs bathroom set to rights by the end of the weekend. And he’d called in a favor from a roofing crew to fix the roof before more damage could be done.
“Still here?” Sarah’s voice made him jump. She leaned against his doorframe, coat already on. “Let me guess—hiding from the hunky contractor again?”
Noah clicked his phone dark. “Just reviewing some estimates.” The lie felt paper-thin, like the walls of his dining room. “Luke sent over some numbers for the electrical work.”
“Interesting.” Sarah’s knowing smile made heat creep up his neck. “And you’re still here at four because…?”
“Because—” Noah stopped, frustrated. Because he couldn’t stop thinking about the way Luke’s shirt had ridden up while he cleared wet plaster, revealing a strip of skin that had no business occupying Noah’s thoughts. Because every time their eyes met across the chaos of repairs, something electric passed between them. Because Jenna’s words about being honest with himself wouldn’t leave him alone.
“Earth to Noah.” Sarah’s voice softened. “Are you sure it’s the house that has you hiding out here?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” She adjusted her bag. “But hypothetically, if someone wanted to explore certain…possibilities, they might start by doing something simple. Like having dinner. Just to talk.”
Noah’s phone felt heavy in his hand. He groaned, knowing she wasn’t entirely wrong and hating that he was so transparent. “Not you too.”
“Just dinner,” she repeated. “No pressure, no expectations. Just two adults sharing a meal and honest conversation while you don’t have to worry about little eyes and ears.”
“He’s working on my house.”
“Yes, but he won’t be forever, even if it feels like it right now.” Sarah started to leave, then paused. “The only way you’re going to solve anything is if you take a chance.”
