Page 16 of Saved By Two

“One, please.”

This is so surreal, them offering me tea, like I didn’t just turn their lives upside down less than twelve hours ago, showing up in the state I did.

Noah stands and pulls out a chair beside him for me to sit. My cheeks heat from the small act of kindness, and I mumble a thank you as I sit. I place my hands in my lap, gripping them tightly as Noah retakes his seat. He opens his mouth to say something when there is a sudden loud metal thwack sound, and I jump out of my seat, the chair falling backwards and onto the floor behind me.

My good eye darts around the open kitchen, hating how my vision is impaired; I feel as though I am at a complete disadvantage.

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I startle.

“It’s just the toaster. You’re safe,” Noah says, his gaze roaming over my face.

I nod, my heart racing. Fuck, my nerves are shot to pieces.

“Come sit,” Caleb says, righting my chair as Noah guides me into my seat.

Glancing down, I grip my hands together to try to still the shaking, my heart hammering heavily in my chest, but it’s no use. I can’t seem to stop my entire body from trembling.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, unable to meet their eyes, but I can feel them watching me, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from openly breaking down.

Caleb crouches beside me, one arm on the back of my chair, as he tilts my chin with his thumb and forefinger until I have no choice but to make eye contact.

“Jessica,” he says in a deep, calm voice. “You have nothing to apologise for. If you weren’t skittish after everything you’d endured, then quite frankly, we’d be even more concerned.”

I don’t know how to respond, so I nod slightly, his fingers still holding my chin. He’s close. I can smell his aftershave—fresh, earthy, but also masculine and powerful. It matches him perfectly, both rich and alluring. But the truth is I hate how weak I’ve become. I freaked out over the sound of the damn toaster for crying out loud.

ChapterEight

CALEB

Jessica is petrified, her body trembling, and I hate that she even feels like that here, but as I said, it’s perfectly understandable.

I watch Noah talking to her quietly as I make up the poached egg and avocado on toast. It’s one of Noah’s favourites. I didn’t even think to ask her if that was okay.

Carrying the plates over, I balance two in my hand and the third in the other. It would seem that working as a waiter while in college still pays off.

“I hope this is all right?” I ask and place a plate in front of her and Noah. “If not, I can make you something else, or I think we have some cereal.” Not that I eat it, can’t stand the whole milk, cereal concoction, makes me gag, but that doesn’t mean Noah can’t have it, and he is a secret sucker for Cocoa Pops, so who am I to deny him?

I sit and reach for the pepper, sprinkling a little over my eggs.

“No, this is lovely, thank you.” Jessica waits for me to pick up my knife and fork before following suit and quietly cuts into her food. I notice her slight wince, and then I recall her wrist.

“Let me.” I reach for her plate and quickly cut it up so it’s easier for her to eat.

I glance at Noah, who winks, and a small smile graces his lips before cutting into his own. Yeah, yeah, I know. He’s one of the few people who ever sees this side of me.

“Thank you.”

We eat in what appears to be a more comfortable quiet, the only sound is from the stereo quietly playing in the background.

“Those are your painkillers,” I say, sliding the small dish beside her orange juice. “For once you’ve eaten.”

Once everyone has finished, I push my plate away, pick up my fresh orange, and finish it off before laying my palms flat on the table and focusing my attention back on Jessica.

“We haven’t been able to track down your brother, but Noah has a friend working on it.”

He raises his eyebrows, and I want to flip him off but decide against it under the current circumstances.

“You know people who can do that?” she asks, her voice small.

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