Page 78 of Sacrifice Bunt

Penny beamed when Zara said her name. “Damn straight I do.”

Noah just shook his head,but she could see his smile. Zara wasn’t trying to suck up to his mom, but it wouldn’t hurt if the woman liked her.

“Mom, is there anything we can do to help with dinner?” Noah asked.

“I’ve got it handled, but I could use your help getting some boxes up in the attic. While you do that, Zara and I will get to know each other.”

Noah looked over to Zara and she nodded, letting him know it would be fine. She might not have ever met a guy's parents before, but she was good with people. This was her wheelhouse.

“I never thought this day would come,” Penny said after Noah had left the room.

“Meeting Noah’s girlfriend?” Zara asked.

“Meeting you.” Penny shook her head. “Noah mentioned you to me a few years ago, and while he never said as much, I sort of assumed you were the reason he never brought anyone else around.”

Zara wasn’t sure what to say to that. “We’ve known each other for a while.”

“Oh, I guessed that. I won’t pry, it’s none of my business. I’m just glad Noah is happy. That smile I saw on his face when he looked at you outside might be the first true one I’ve seen since his dad died.”

Zara blinked, not sure she’d heard correctly. “Wasn’t that a long time ago?”

Penny nodded. “When Noah was in high school. That fire was the worst thing that happened to all of us, but poor Noah took it the hardest.”

“Fire?” Zara swallowed the fear that had climbed up her throat.

“Didn’t Noah tell you? His dad died in a fire.”

Everything she knew about Noah rushed into her brain. The way he’d turned into a completely different person when that fire alarm went off, his rush to get her out of the apartment, his disappearance, the panic attacks, and his reluctance to talk about his dad.

“Penny,” her voice cracked as she held back tears. “Where...” She couldn't get the rest of the words out.

Penny reached out, rubbing up and down her arm. “Through that door.” She pointed to the door behind her.

There was no time to apologize or speak. She ran out of the room and into the garage. Where she found Noah with a large box in his arms.

“Zara,” Noah said as he saw her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” The tears she’d been trying to hold back began to fall.

He placed the box on the ground, taking a deep breath. “I wasn’t keeping it from you.”

“I believe you. I just wish I had known.” She shook her head. “I feel like such an idiot.”

He stepped toward her. “No, you’re not. Zara, my dad dying in the fire is the reason for my panic attacks, but hey, they have nothing to do with you.”

“But I kicked and screamed at you that night you saved my life, and then for years, I hated you because of it.” She swiped tears from her face. “I wish it had never happened.”

He reached for her, taking her in his arms. “I don’t. Without that night, we wouldn’t be here. I fell in love with you that night.” She gasped, but he kept going. “At least that's what I thought it was. Now, after being with you and spending time with you, I know that was just infatuation. This, what I feel for you now, is love.” He cupped her cheeks. “I love you, Zara.”

She didn’t keep him waiting for her answer. “I love you too. So much. I never forgot you after that night. I tried to hate you, I really did, but you made it impossible.” She choked back tears.

He laughed. “I know you did.” He leaned in, kissing her deeply, then pressing his forehead to hers. “God, this feels good. Like a weight is lifted.”

She searched his eyes. The tears finally over. “What happens now?”

“Now we eat my mom’s casserole before going back home where I will have dessert.” He gave her a wicked grin.

She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t mean immediate future now. I mean,” she waved a hand in the air, “a few days, weeks or years from now.”

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