Page 73 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“You see,” Emily instructs me. “My partner and I will probably have to work until we're in our mid-sixties, or maybe longer if we don't have enough money.” I refrain from saying that she wouldn't have to if she were at Alex's side. “While Noah and you get to enjoy life.”

“You're not making me feel better,” I mutter. “Not at all.”

“Probably,” Emily replies with a grin and stands up. She quickly packs her things. “I'll take you to my place for now. Come on.”

I look at her irritated and get up from my chair.

Emily puts money on the table for my Diet Coke and smiles. “Come on, Cara.”

“And what about Noah?” I ask again.

“I'll take care of it,” she says, winking at me.

21

Cara

An uneasy feeling runs through me as I get out of an Uber after Emily that evening and we walk towards the bar we went to last time. It's not a good idea to spend the evening with Emily and her friends. Noah still doesn't know I'm in Nashville. I hope I don't run into him. But Emily wouldn't do that to me.

As I enter the bar, a wave of memories washes over me. Noah singing, holding my hand, and me falling a little more in love with him.

“Are you coming?” Emily asks when I don't move forward. “The others are waiting for us.”

“I don't know,” I say, looking at her. “It's not a good idea to face Noah like this for the first time.”

“Cara!” Emily rolls her eyes. “It's not a solution for you to mope around while Noah continues to ignore you. That idiot should pull the stick out of his ass and forgive you.”

To avoid looking like a complete idiot, I told Emily that I had written to him again and that he was still ignoring me. But the truth is, I don't dare write him any more messages.

“Come on!” She grabs my hand and pulls me behind her.

We walk through the crowded bar until I spot Jamie, Noah's best friend, at one of the tables.

“Emily.” I stop and she turns to me. “What's Jamie doing here and - fuck!”

Noah is sitting in the chair next to him. He is laughing, in a good mood, greeting everyone.

“And Noah? You said we were meeting your friends.”

“Actually, I said we would meet with the others. With Anna, among others.”

“Among others?” I snort. “Clearly.”

I look at her defiantly and wonder how this is going to look. Noah must think I'm using Emily to get to him.

“Come with me now,” she says. “You're really unbearable.”

Emily grabs my hand again and pulls me behind her.

Annoyed, I groan and follow her. After all, I can't remember where Emily lives and I can't get back to my stuff.

“Hey,” Emily says to the group. “I brought someone.”

She points at me with a smile, but I barely notice. All my attention is on Noah. He has his cell phone in his hand and is looking at the screen.

“Cara,” Jamie moans and Noah's head jerks up. “How nice to see you.”

“What are you doing here?” Noah interrupts his best friend before he can ask more questions. I say nothing and look at Emily. She has to help me. After all, she dragged me here.

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