Page 162 of Solanum

She pursed her lips, her hands balling to fists. "No. It's because I don't want to hear what you have to say."

"If you don't want me to be quiet, and don't want to hear what I have to say, what should I do? Whistle? Because I can do that," I said, catching myself at the end but only barely.

"That's a dick thing to say," she said, frowning at me now as her tears turned to fury.

"No. It's a ridiculous thing to say, because what's happening right now is just that. If you want to argue with me, fine. Pick something better to fight with me about than the fact that you don't want to hear what I have to say because you're preemptively pissed off because what I say will reinforce your own insecurities about the decision you made today." Despite the heavy load of truth I tossed at her, I never once lifted my voice or changed the inflection in my tone. "So keep on being mad at yourself and taking it out on me. As long as we both know what's happening here, I can live with it."

Rage rolled over Nora's shoulders, darkening her features to a deadly glare. I awaited her wrath, or at least a few curse words. Instead, she sniffled and said, "I'm going upstairs."

"Okay." I motioned to the door.

She swiped at her damp cheeks as she walked out, glancing at me over her shoulder before heading up the stairs. I followed her but stayed in the kitchen. She said nothing to Maggie and Sali on her way by, and they stared off after her until we heard the bedroom door snap shut.

"So, what the literal fuck was that about?" Sali jabbed a thumb toward the ceiling.

"Nora having an argument with herself. Did she tell either of you that she sent in her return-to-work papers?"

"No." Maggie's brows lifted and she glanced at Sali who shook her head. "When?"

"Today."

"What'd you tell her?" Maggie asked.

"Nothing." I gestured toward the stairs. "She literally had an argument with herself because she's scared and knows she's not ready."

"Go after her," Sali said, pointing in the direction of the steps. "She's been upset all day."

"I know. I'm giving her a minute. A literal minute." I smirked and glanced down at my watch. In the momentary quiet, my heart pounded in my chest.

"Nora doesn't seem very confident in any of her decisions," Maggie said, thoughtfully.

"She isn't. This is no different." I broke away from them to follow Nora's path.

The last time she came at me, I walked away from her. Part of me wondered how things would've turned out if I hadn't. If I'd said something and gone after her that day. Would she have ever hooked up with Perkins? Would we be where we were today? The weight of my thoughts pressed in on me, setting off ripples of fatigue.

I found Nora on the bed, crying softly into the pillows. I crawled over her, lowering myself down on top of her to kiss her neck.

"All done now?" I asked against her ear and she nodded. "Good."

"I'm sorry." She sniffled, reaching back to touch my face. "You're right, and I'm sorry."

"We'll call this one a throwback Thursday in memory of our past lives," I teased, smirking with it.

She chuckled softly and nodded through her tears. "I'm sorry. You came home and I just—"

"Nor, it's been a day and you're a whole ass mess, so I get it. I do."

"And what are you? A half ass mess?" She narrowed her eyes at me while fighting a smirk.

"Yup." I nibbled her ear and she shivered. "I am."

A soft laugh escaped her, and she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "I am sorry, honey."

"I heard you, baby, and I forgive you. Okay?" I kissed her cheek and she nodded.

"I'll do better." She drew in a slow breath. "Talking is…hard."

"I know." I smooched her shoulder. "It'll take time. What can I do to help you calm down? You're shaking, and not in a good way…"

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