It’s dark under here, so I only make out Theo and Jim’s shadows as they run back toward the bonfire.
“Uh?” Noah says, questioning what just happened.
“I think they’re feeling the same stress we are right now.”
“Ha, I had no idea. Good for them,” Noah says. “Maybe they know how to beat the system.”
“If they’re hiding under here too, I assume not.”
“True,” Noah replies. “I guess we should return to the auction.”
I slap his chest. “Not funny,” I tell him. Although I’m sure he’s not taking me seriously as I giggle through my statement.
“Hey,” he says, taking my hand within his. “I’d walk away from all this tomorrow if it meant something might happen between us.”
“It’s only five more months,” I remind him.
“I don’t know if I can keep myself in control around you.”
“Fire me then,” I tell him.
“I’m the finest masochist there is,” he tells me.
“So you like a challenge?” I question.
“That’s my middle name.”
“It’s on, Noah.”
Surely, this will end well.
Chapter 21
When we arrive backat the bonfire, I see the anger written across several faces. It seems as though all conversations have paused, and a spotlight is on Noah and me.
I search around for Olivia, hoping she’s still chatting with Alex, rather than looking for me. I probably shouldn’t have just left without warning her, but Noah kind of dragged me away, even though I sort of went willingly.
It takes me a minute for my eyes to adjust to the area with the glowing fire before I spot Olivia, still chatting with Alex.
She places her hand on his shoulder, smiles, and heads toward me. The look on her face seems unsure or flustered. “I have to get going,” she says. “I wanted to find you before I left.”
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her. “Noah just had to speak to me for a moment.”
Olivia winks as if she knows what I mean by speaking. Either that or she can see the flush coloring that’s likely masking my face. “Oh, no, it’s nothing you did. I wanted to stay, remember?”
“Oh,” I reply. “Well, is everything okay?”
Olivia scratches at her head, above her ear. “Yes, and no. It’s only been six months, and I shouldn’t enjoy talking to another man. Not yet. Although, did you know Alex lost his wife to cancer a few years back? He’s got quite a story too. Poor guy.”
“Oh my gosh,” I spit out. I had no idea about Alex. That’s terrible.
Noah reaches forward and places his hand on her shoulder. “Coming from a Marine, I assure you, your husband would want you to be happy, and I’m almost positive he would be okay with you having a friend who understands what you’re going through on a level most people don’t understand. However, you need to do what feels right to you.”
She sighs heavily. “I was flirting with him. I don’t do that,” she says. “We both have a shitty history, and yet, there we were, laughing about life.”
“You looked happy,” I tell her. “It’s okay to be happy, Olivia.”
“I was, but then I felt guilty.”
