Page 74 of Return To You

Rose narrows those gorgeous dark green eyes of hers and snaps, “Because I’m sleeping on a mattress on the floor, Noah, the couch is more comfortable for you.” She shoves me but growls loudly when I don’t move. “And don’t change the fucking subject.”

Fucking finally….

I grin wide, but that only annoys her more as she shouts, “I’ve been working on the degree for two years, Noah! I was nearly done!”

I slam my lips down on hers, hoping to fucking God she hasn’t woken Diego.

She growls against my mouth, then bites my lower lip, making me laugh and pull back.

She glares at me, but I smile and cup her jaw, rasping, “All your credits are being transferred to your animal behavior course at Kingston University.”

Her mouth parts in shock, and I wait, ready for the fight she’s about to lose.

twenty-six

Rose

I blink,my mouth parting in shock at Noah’s words.

When I got the call from my advisor while at the diner, I was petrified; my only thought was how I would keep working two jobs before I burned out. Getting that degree was the only thing helping Diego and me out of this small apartment because I refuse to accept handouts from Noah and my dad.

I was already emotionally drained because my dad texted, begging me to talk to Alejandro because he’s apparently struggling with his guilt, and him and Vanessa are having problems. Then my advisor, Jean, mentioned Noah was the reason I’d been pulled off the program, and she can’t change the board’s decision, which means I’ve just wasted two years trying to get a degree.

All those hours, wasted.

Lack of sleep, time away from Diego, down the stupid drain….

I shake my head. “Noah, I-I can’t afford that course, and my scholarship can’t be changed.”

He half smiles and nods. “I know, which is why it is paid off in full.” I suck in a breath. He grins wide, gently rubbing his thumb along my jaw. “I know you want to reject it, I know you don’t want help, but Rose, you’re already starting to trust me with your heart; if you weren’t, then you wouldn’t be moving me in, testing me to see if I can like living here, to see if I’m still the same old boy who said he’d live in a cardboard box as long as it’s with you.”

My tears fall, but I shake my head. "I can’t let you do this, Noah….”

I know he has money now. I also know, through Barn and Cam, that he’s barely spent any of it, other than on his Mustang, house, and the ring, but that doesn’t mean I want a cent of it. Because I don’t.

He smirks. “It’s already done, and I didn’t pay for the whole thing alone.”

I hear his insinuation and instantly refuse, " No. I know I’m starting to forgive my father, that I’m letting him be a grandfather, but he kicked me out, Noah. He gave me an ultimatum: school or Diego. I don’t want anything from?—”

He butts in, “And you made the right choice, and he knows this. He loves you, Rose, and he loves our son. He knows he made a mistake, but he’s also proud of you because you never gave up. You became this strong, independent woman he and your mother always wanted you to be, not relying on his name or his money for your future. Let him do the right thing now, Petal. Let him help his daughter achieve her dreams. You’re not happy in the business program; you hate business, you always have, even when your father tried to force it on you, you refused. Animals, they are your calling, they always have been.”

My heart hammers, my breathing shallow. The only reason my father agreed to pay what the scholarship didn’t cover twoyears ago was because I was graduating a year early. Before that, he refused, thinking my career choice what ridiculous.

Biting my bottom lip, I admit one of my fears, “And what happens when I complete the nonpractical work online and have to go onsite for the practical, Noah?”

His eyes gaze into mine, his brows furrowed in confusion, before it clicks, and his eyes widen a little.

A smile graces his handsome face, and he rasps, “Is that what you're worried about, baby? Me touring while you’re doing what you love?”

I look down, not wanting to admit it, especially when, yes, I’ve slowly started moving him in to test him, but the trust isn’t fully there.

What if I’m stuck here, and he goes on tour, remembers how much more fun it is without me around, and leaves me again?

Pathetic, right?

Noah gently forces me to look up, and our eyes connect, and he whispers, “If that’s the case, then I’ll just have to ensure your practical is during our tour breaks. Where you go, I go. The boys agree. I won’t leave you again, Rose; I love you too much.”

I instantly refuse, “I can’t let you do that, Noah.”

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