“Um, why?” Angelica frowned, and a combination of disappointment and curiosity oozed off her with her furrowed brows and tight lines around her mouth.
“It’s hard to explain.”
No, it’s not.
“Try me.”
“We all know why she was sent here, and at first, she insisted on meetingAnthonyto call in a favor. That favor was a sham marriage so she could get her money. I just…panicked. She didn’t recognize me, and it felt nice to not have someone want me for money.”
She sighed and reached over to squeeze my forearm. “I heard tidbits about what happened with Samantha, and I’m sorry you’ve gone through this. But, Fritz, this will not end well if you don’t tell her the truth.”
“I know that. I really do. I just need to find the right time.” My stomach twisted in horrible knots, knowing the timer was getting closer to zero.
“I won’t say anything, I swear, but…” She trailed off, her tone tightening. “You’re playing her.”
“What? I’m not…I’m not doing this to hurt her or anything. Actually, I really—”
“Um, hey, guys,” Nora said, making me clutch my chest.
She stood right behind us. A few feet.
Fuck.How much did she hear?
My pulse rushed to my ears, and I could barely make out her question as my body thumped with worry.
“Could one of you help me?” she asked, tilting her head to the side as she fidgeted with her fingers.
Angelica brushed past me, and I followed, numb and freaking out. If she heard any part of that conversation without context, she couldhate me.
And I’d deserve it.
I had to figure out what she’d heard and fix it. Immediately. My feet weighed a million pounds as I followed the two of them back into the room, and each breath felt like knives stabbing my throat. “What’s going on?” My voice cracked. I studied Nora’s every move. If she overheard my conversation, then she’d be upset. Or glare at me. Or throw something at me, at least.
She looked up with the warmth in her eyes I’d become accustomed to, and my body sagged in relief. “I can’t connect to the printer, and it keeps asking me to search for one?”
“Oh, I can help with that.” Angelica moved closer to her and typed on her device. When she was done, she gave me a hard look. “I’ll see myself out. Fritz, have a good night.”
“You too, Angelica.” I smiled, but it was too forced and awkward.
Nora didn’t notice, and for that, I was thankful. I sat in the chair next to her and made a vow to be more careful. With her huge presentation in two weeks, it’d be cruel to upset her before then, so until that was done…I had to make sure she didn’t find out the truth. Because if she learned I wasn’t who she thought I was, it could ruin everything.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A week later,I had all the paper work necessary to set up another meeting with Peter. But I hesitated on making the call. So much rode on this, and without even thinking, I made the short walk toward Nora’s apartment and knocked.
Her world had shifted, and if anyone would have advice on doing something crazy, it’d be her. No audiobooks or music drifted from her place, and the quiet threw me off. Nora was never quiet. A prickle of worry had me cracking my knuckles as I waited for her to answer.
I knocked again. “Nora, you there?”
The door swung open. “Hi, hey. Yes. Here I am,” she said, rather breathless, and like that, the tension eased off my muscles. Her face and smile brought me a joy I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Best not to think about that too much.
“Can I talk to you about something?” I asked, still fidgeting with my fingers. I really didn’t think this through—how could I talk to her about this risk with Peter without actually telling her details? I squeezed the back of my neck as a line appeared between her brows.
“Talk? Um, yes.” She chewed the side of her mouth and ushered me in, and her movements were stiff. She walked toward the kitchen table and paused. “Uh, is this a kitchen table conversation or a couch one? I’ve never hadthe talkwith someone before and I’m actually nervous and don’t know where to sit. If we’re on the couch, it could be weird sitting close and honestly, the plants don’t need any negativity.”
“Nora,” I said, laughing and putting my hands on her shoulders. She froze, her body becoming like concrete, and I kissed her neck. “I’m sorry that wasn’t clear.Wedon’t need to talk, if that’s what you thought.”
