Page 51 of When We Crash

I clasped my hands together, listening to everything she was saying. “I’m taking her out to dinner tonight. I hope she can open up a little more to me.”

“Good luck, Dex. That girl had me talking about something else completely before I even realized she’d switched the subject. She’s a champion evader.” She leaned her head against my shoulder.

“I’m sure I can get her talking to me,” I assured her, running my hand down her back. “I went to the hospital to talk to Sessie while you were with Noa. I think the night I almost died, Noa almost did, too. But I can’t confirm it.”

“You were wrong to ask someone else, Dex, and if Noa finds out, she’ll be upset. Rightly so. If you want answers, ask the person who owes you some. Not a person who could lose her job for telling you the little bit she did.” Tracey straightened, her hands working themselves over her lap.

“Noa won’t tell me anything,” I reminded her, leaning back and letting out a sigh.

“Dex, everyone needs help sometimes. But it isn’t your job to take the task on yourself without letting the other person know. It’s her life.” Tracey spoke in soothing tones and I understood what she was saying. Still, it was much easier said than done.

“I can’t just go to her, demanding answers.” I threw my hands up in defeat.

She laughed. “No, but you can ask. And I don’t mean ask and let it go, the way I’m sure you do. Ask, and then explain why you want to know. Explain your fears and concerns. She might be embarrassed and ashamed, but it’s better than being dead.”

I stilled. “You don’t think it could come to that, do you?”

Her expression was sad, but when she answered me, her voice was light. “It could, if she doesn’t let someone help her.”

Dexter

I was runninga few minutes late, having fallen asleep while watching a movie. The clock moved so slowly that afternoon.

Tracey watched, smirking, as I rushed back and forth, trying to get ready before running past her and out the door.

When I neared Noa’s building, I saw her standing outside, her head tilted back. Her breath came out in puffs that whispered into the night sky. She wore fingerless gloves on the hands that smoothed her hair back and she looked over as my car stopped in front of her.

“Have you figured it out yet?” I asked when she got in and buckled her seat.

She shook her head. “I likely never will. Doesn’t mean I can’t have theories. I have theories about tonight.” She didn’t touch the radio. She looked out the window, seeming content to let the time pass quietly again.

“What are your theories regarding tonight?” I was the one who didn’t like this quiet anymore.

“You have questions, and I have answers.” She shrugged, like it was an easy remedy. “It’s unfair to ask you to commit to someone when you have no idea what you’re getting into. I think my only worry is leaving here without you tonight.”

As we stopped at a red light, I looked over at her, my brows drawn and my pride wounded. “Can you give me some credit already? It’s frustrating how you think so little of me.” I didn’t want to argue; I wanted tonight to be peaceful. But as much as Noa brought out the best in me, she drove me out of my mind.

“I’m sorry,” she offered. Her hand reached for mine, and I became fine with being silent the rest of the drive.

The restaurant I chose was a little fancier than anywhere I’d taken Noa before. But it was New Year’s Day and I wanted it to be special—a new start for me and Noa.

“I won’t know anything on this menu,” she whispered to me. Her smile was nervous, her teeth behind her closed lips as we entered the restaurant.

“I figured we could be rebellious today.”

Her hand clutched mine, and I led her to the host’s podium. I cleared my throat, fighting my own nervousness. A lot was riding on this particular night.

“Reservation for two under Dexter Andrews,” I told the man, attempting to sound older, more mature.

Noa chuckled, and the maître d raised his brow at her.

“Yes, right this way.” He led us to a table and turned to leave after I pushed in Noa’s seat.

When I sat across from her, I noticed her eyes taking everything in as she took off her coat and gloves. I hung my coat behind my seat.

“This may be the nicest place I’ve ever been, Dexter Andrews.” Her hand found mine again across the table.

It didn’t escape my attention that she always said my name completely. And I loved it. Because Noa, for all her oddities, wasn’t lazy about anything. When she went, she went full speed ahead without a second thought.

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