“Yeah, Noah told me when I had to lead her back to the farm.”
Tucker’s expression falls.
“You saw Noah?”
Making my way around the kitchen, I pour myself a glass of water.
“Did you tell him about?—”
“No!” I hiss, glancing towards the bathroom to make sure Addison is still occupied. Keeping my voice low, I continue. “I went over there ready to rip him apart for not keeping Rosie away from the vines and then finally tell him about…everything.” Taking a deep breath, I admit, “But when I saw him, it was just too much. I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t even process what I was feeling.”
His features soften as he trails behind me and rests against the kitchen island, facing me. “Do you ever plan on telling him? Or anyone else?”
“Yes, I just don’t want to end up in tears when I tell him,” I say, peeking down the hall.
“And what about your family?” Tucker questions carefully.
“Don’t like being the only one who knows, huh Tuck?”
He shrugs and crosses his arms over his chest.
“No, I don’t mind keeping your secret. But your brother keeps asking where Paul is and how he’s okay with you being here.”
“What?” My voice rises unintentionally. “Why is he even bringing up Paul?”
“Well, maybe because your family assumeshe’sthe father.”
“Dammit,” I curse under my breath and drop my head into my hands.
Since leaving New York, I haven’t thought about Paul once. It never crossed my mind that my family would assume he’s the father.
“Yeah. While it is entertaining to watch him get all defensive about you, and I am definitely not Team Paul, it’s hard to tell them they’re wrong without telling them why,” Tucker says.
“I know, I know. They deserve to know the truth.” Shaking my head, I finish off my water and turn back to Tucker. “But Noah deserves to hear it from me first before anyone else finds out.”
Before Tucker can respond, Addison finally appears in the doorway.
She stops in her tracks when she sees Tucker.
“Why are you here?” she asks, with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Tucker doesn’t miss a beat, whirling around with a mischievous grin on his face. “I wanted to see my favorite Jones.”
I stifle a laugh and grab my shoes from the closet.
“Fine. You saw her. Now you can leave. It’s girls’ night out,” Addison says cheerily.
“I know, that’s why I’m here.”
“What are you talking about?”
Tucker holds up his truck keys.
“Ma was worried about you ladies causing trouble and messing up her car. So, either she follows you around all night like a hawk, or I come along.”
Addison throws her hands up in exasperation and turns to me with pleading eyes. “She does realize we’ve both been out in New York City before, right?”
“Well, actually, I think she likes to pretend we just stayed home every night knitting,” I add with a smirk.