Page 121 of You Fall First

She casts a glance down the hallway, then back my way. “You genuinely think nothing’s changed since then?”

“I mean …” I take a sip of water. Swallow. “Jo left her waffle maker.”

“Yes, Noah,” Paige says, dryly. “That’s exactly what I was referring to. A single new appliance brought a radical new feel to your home.”

My brow quirks. “Why do I sense sarcasm?”

“Not my intention.” Her expression softens. “I’m just grateful.”

I rub the back of my neck. “Well, yes. Jo deserves all the credit.”

Paige studies my face. “I figured you’d say that.”

“You disagree?”

“To be fair, I haven’t even met her in person yet.” Paige sets down her teacup. “But I have met you.”

We both fall quiet for a moment, and the rhythmic tick-tick-tick of the wall clock is the only other sound in the room. Finally, I clear my throat to break the silence.

“Speaking of meeting Jo.” I shift in my chair. “We’ve got a fundraiser at Havenwood tomorrow. If you feel up to it, you and Dutton should come. Jo’s niece and nephew will be there too, so Dutton wouldn’t be the only kid.”

“Does Jo work at Havenwood?”

“No, but she’s going to the fundraiser.” I heft my shoulders. “Most of our friends are.”

Paige’s eyes crinkle, just slightly. “Our friends?”

“Yeah, well.” I rake a hand through my hair. That pronoun shift happened without me even noticing. At this point, my feelings for Jo might as well be broadcast in a thought bubble above my head. “Her whole family’s been really supportive,” I say.

“Right.” Paige’s eyes scrutinize me. In fact, they’re pretty much the dictionary definition of scrutiny. “I like seeing my big brother surrounding himself with people who do unto others, you know? And it’s about time,” she adds. “Usually it’s just you doing all the doing. Or something like that.”

I shake my head. “You give me too much credit, P.”

“Impossible.” She lifts a hand, stifling a yawn, and I realize how exhausted she must be. And here I am inviting her to what’s essentially a big party with all the people in my life who aren’t her.

“Tomorrow night’s probably gonna be a long one,” I tell her, “so zero pressure to go. You live here now. There’s no rush for you to meet everyone.”

She blinks.

Everyone.

Probably sounds like a lot.

“I am completely wiped out,” she admits, slowly stirring her tea. “But I can rally.”

“You sure?”

Her mouth curves up. “I want to get to know this legendary Jo in person.”

And there it is. Proof that Paige has seen right through me—how I feel about Jo, about the whole Michaels family.

The thing is, I’d love for my sister to feel like she’s a part of them too. I just don’t ever want her to think she’s being replaced.

That’s never gonna happen.

“Sounds good,” I say, blowing out a breath. “But only if you want to.”

“Trust me, Noah.” She lifts the teacup to her lips. “I want to.”