I looked up at him, my throat tight as so many emotions steamrolled over each other. “I don’t know how to say thank you. For coming to get me. Letting me and Sassy stay here.”
“You don’t have to.” His voice dropped again, quiet but certain. “You’ve had a hell of a night. You don’t owe me anything.”
He turned before I could respond and walked into the kitchen. I heard the click of the fridge, the sound of water running. I stood there for a moment, dripping onto his hardwood floors, the weight of everything catching up. I wanted to cry and throw up, but my mind went numb. I’d losteverything.
My dad’s words echoed in my mind.You’re not ready to live alone in the city.
He was right.
When I finally moved, Sassy followed me down the hall, tail wagging tentatively. The bathroom light was soft, the tile cool under my feet. I showered for warmth, then changed into dry clothes and wrapped my hair in a towel, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My face was blotchy, my eyes swollen. But under the exhaustion, there was relief.
When I came back out, the condo was quiet except for low voices in the living room. Ivy was sitting on the edge of the armchair, and Sloane and Oliver were on the couch beside Noah. They all glanced up at once when I appeared in the hallway wearing his oversized sweatshirt and socks that didn’t match.
Sassy trotted ahead of me, tail wagging once before curling up at my feet. “Oh my god, she’s so cute. Sassy is her name?”
I nodded, and Ivy bent down, making kissing sounds untilSassy strutted up to her. “Oh who’s a good girl? You’re a good girl!”
I smiled. People always turned to mush around my girl, Sass.
Ivy kissed Sassy’s head before leveling her gaze at me. “You scared the shit out of us. I’m so glad we were here so Noah could come get you.”
“I’m okay,” I said, even though my throat tightened around the words.
Sloane shook her head, her expression gentle but firm. “Okay is relative. You’ve had a rough night. Sit for a minute.”
I did. The cushions sank around me as Noah brought me a mug. “What’s this?”
“Lavender tea, caffeine-free of course.” He smiled, but it was the half-one. The one I knew wasn’t real.
I sipped my favorite tea, curious why he had this type. I carried the tea bags around like candy in college, since my throat got dry so often. I loved late night tea and talking, and knowing Noah had some lying around warmed a small chip in my heart. “T-thank you, Noah.”
He frowned but gave me a curt nod.
Ivy continued petting Sassy as she stared at me. “You’ll be safe here for the time being. We’ll check on your apartment in the morning. Insurance, building management—whatever you need, we’ll help however we can.”
The kindness in her voice caused tears to well up. I blinked fast, focusing on the cup in my hands. I didn’t know Ivy that well or Sloane or Oliver, yet they were being so kind right now. My siblings and I were all close, but we were all over the place, and life got in the way often. Seeing this kindness from people I hardly knew almost set the tears off.
Noah’s hand brushed my knee, just a light squeeze like he had done so many times before, before I could respond. “You should rest,” he said softly. “I’ll kick them out.”
Sloane glanced between us and seemed to read the unspoken thing hanging in the air. She stood, nudging Oliver with her elbow. “We’ll go. Text us if you need anything. Either one of you. Ivy gave me your number, Em, since you’re part of the team. I’ll text you so you have mine.”
Ivy squeezed my shoulder once more and whispered, “You’re family now, okay?” before following them out into the hall. The comment stuck with me, warming my heart because my family was just too damn complicated.
The door clicked shut, leaving just me, Noah, and the sound of the rain easing against the windows. And the way he stared at me, my nerves suddenly doubled in size.
6
NOAH
The door clicked, and the condo went quiet. Em stood there in my sweatshirt, hair damp, Sassy pressed to her ankle. Her hands shook when she lifted the mug. She looked so distraught, her usually styled hair flat against her face. God, hearing her voice come through Ivy’s phone had felt like a physical punch to my gut. Then seeing her standing outside in a storm? I clenched my fist, the worry and adrenaline still coursing through me. I took a calm breath, settling my own nerves and feelings, and hoped my face was smooth and reassuring.
“Hey, you really should try to get some sleep. I’m sure tonight was rough.”
She nodded, a slight frown between her eyebrows. “Noah, t-thank you for?—”
“Em, stop thanking me.” I cleared my throat and stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. I knew she’d want physical reassurance. That was her language, but she tensed when I touched her, and I immediately released her shoulder. I hated that she felt the need to thank me, again, like helping her wassuch a chore. “You have nothing to thank me for. I’d do this a thousand times, and you would do the same.”
She swallowed and seemed surprised, then nodded again. The nod seemed careful, like she was waiting for a reaction. She rubbed her lips together, her eyes still holding too much worry.
