“Noah’s not very complicated.” Ava pulled up a chair, settling into it with easy grace. “All the Colton men are easy to figure out, in their way. Though I suppose I should mention I have a bit of a professional advantage in reading people. Occupational hazard. But Noah especially wears his heart on his sleeve.” She smiled wryly.
“I know.” The words came out choked.
“Do you?” Ava’s tone wasn’t accusatory, simply curious. “Noah cares, deeply, and isn’t afraid of it. Never has been. When our aunt got cancer, he moved back from—where was it? Azerbaijan? Syria? Some war-torn place most people were trying to escape—to help care for her.”
Sabrina’s chest tightened. “He mentioned his mother was sick.”
“She was like a second mother to all of us.” Ava’s expression softened with remembrance. “Sam and Kate Colton had the kind of marriage that made you believe in true love, you know? The real thing. When she got sick, Sam was devastated, but Noah—” Ava shook her head “—Noah became her rock. Rearranged his whole life to be there for her final months.”
The picture Ava painted matched everything Sabrina had come to know about Noah. His fierce loyalty, his willingness to give everything to those he loved, his absolute commitment once he decided someone mattered.
“I hurt him.” The admission burned her throat. “I didn’t mean to, but I did.”
“I gathered that.” Ava’s smile held no judgment. “For what it’s worth, he’s been less than subtle about his feelings for you. The whole family knows he’s in love with you.”
Heat crept up Sabrina’s neck. “The whole family?”
“Noah doesn’t do anything halfway,” Ava said with a small laugh. “When he brought you by Uncle Richie’s practice, Sassy texted everyone within minutes. The Colton grapevine rivals the hospital rumor mill.”
“Great.” Sabrina closed her eyes briefly. “So everyone knows I broke his heart.”
“Relationships are never smooth sailing.” Ava’s voice gentled. “Noah tends to charge ahead like a bull in a China shop, so it’s not surprising that he overwhelmed you.”
“It wasn’t that.” Sabrina met Ava’s gaze directly. “Well, not entirely.”
How much was she supposed to divulge to Noah’s cousin, who wasn’t even here in a professional capacity? How much did shewantto confess?
“He just brings everything to table, no holds barred.” Her voice cracked slightly. “I’ve never met anyone like him. It’s hard to believe he feels like that aboutme.”
She trailed off, unable to find words big enough for what she meant.
Ava nodded, understanding in her eyes. “Noah’s taught me a lot about love over the years. Not by talking about it, by living it. He shows up. Every time.”
“He did.” Tears pricked Sabrina’s eyes. “I just don’t know if he’ll give me another chance.”
“That’s between you two,” Ava said diplomatically. “But I will say the Noah I know doesn’t give up easily on things that matter to him.”
Before Sabrina could respond, the door opened again. This time, the man himself stood in the threshold, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe. His expression hadn’t changed from earlier, outside the cave, and the lack of that spark she’d always associated with him—had come to love—hollowed out her chest.
“Sorry,” he said, already backing away. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“I was just leaving.” Ava stood, shooting Sabrina a meaningful look. “Speaking both personally and professionally, sometimes near-death experiences provide clarity. I’ll check on you tomorrow before discharge,” she said before slipping past Noah.
Then they were alone, the silence stretching taut between them like a rope bridge over a canyon—precarious, swaying and the only way across.
“Your cousin seems nice,” Sabrina said, trying to break the ice, but it absolutely did not.
“She is.” His voice was so stilted and formal it nearly made her cry. “When my mom was sick, Ava helped a lot. She’s the type who isn’t happy unless she’s taking care of someone, whether it’s a Colton or foster kids she considers family.”
The Coltons closed ranks when it counted, a dynamic she knew nothing about. But wanted to, wanted to be worthy of being included in their tight circle. Noah came from a family unlike any she’d ever heard of. No wonder he did everything with zero fear—someone would always catch him.
Except her. She hadn’t.
Noah still hadn’t moved from the doorway. “I brought these.” He held up a small duffel bag. “Some clothes from your place. Figured you’d want something other than a hospital gown to wear tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” The words felt woefully inadequate. “How’s Ripley?”
“Good. Ryan’s watching her. She’s been hovering around my house like she expects you to materialize any second.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Smart dog.”
