Page 20 of The Fate of Us

“Where did you go?”

I never told Sera about this place. And I still want to keep it my secret. “I just got in the car and drove. Went to the coast.”

“How did Noah find you?”

“Well he is a cop; he has his ways.” Not a total lie.

“You don’t usually want someone around when you run away.”

“Yeah, well I needed him when I didn’t know I did.”

Sera exaggerates a gasp into the phone. “Are you telling me you aren’t as cold-hearted as you pretend to be?”

“Only around you,” I joke.

“So how has this affected you and Noah?”

I bite my lip thinking about the last twenty-four hours we spent together. Me pouring my heartache and pain into every word I said. And he was there for me, listening, holding my hand. “It’s been good,” I whisper.

“Good? You got to give me more than that!”

I sigh, trying to put it all into words without giving away too much. “He’s just been there. Listened. Supported me. With him, I don’t have to try.”

“Mmhmm. I see.”

“See what?”

“You’re in love with him.”

“I—I’m...” I don’t know why I’m keeping it from her or trying to make up some excuse. I am in love with him. There is no denying it.

“That bad, huh?”

“Fine,” I groan. “I’m in love with him. Okay?”

Sera laughs into the phone. “And how does that make you feel?”

“Are you my therapist now too?”

“I’m kidding, Anna. You sound happy despite all the shit you just found out. And that makes me happy. So what are you guys doing?”

“Well I ran here with no clothes so I am buying a few things. Noah wants to take me on a proper date tonight.”

“Make sure you buy some fancy lingerie.”

“Newsflash, Sera, he’s seen me naked.”

“Yeah, but fancy lingerie does something to a man.”

I shake my head at her. “I’m going to go. Need to be ready in a few hours.”

“Have fun tonight! And green lace will look best on you!”

I hang up my phone laughing. I am not buying fancy lingerie for Noah.

Noah brought my overnight bag when he came here, but I wanted something new for tonight. I end up buying a few shirts, a pair of jeans, and a gorgeous white and yellow floral wrap dress. I drive back to the cottage excited for our date tonight. I park my car in the street and gather my bags as I head down the boardwalk to the cottage. I nearly drop everything when I see Noah standing shirtless outside. And it’s not his body that has me in awe.

He is power washing the house, bringing out the vibrancy that it once had. I notice the broken boardwalk below my feet is repaired and the steps leading to the porch look new. I was only gone a few hours but Noah has made this place feel like it did when my great-aunt lived here.

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