Page 55 of Marrying a Spy

Sophia wanted to protest more, but the two men walking into the shop drew her attention. Great. It was Noah and James. They paused at the entrance and were looking around the shop. When Noah’s gaze landed on her, he made his way toward her.

“What are you doing here?” Sophia asked, folding her arms. She hated the fact that just seeing him rattled her. She wished she was stronger. .

Noah’s gaze slipped over and then down to the teddy Kari held in her hand. As if she suddenly realized what she was holding, Kari tucked it behind her back.

Sophia hated that Noah looked flushed when he returned his attention to her. She could only imagine what he was thinking. Sure, if their marriage was for real—like she’d allowed herself to imagine last night—there would be a very good chance that he’d see that tomorrow night. But not anymore. Not when she wasn’t sure what to believe. Had he meant what he’d said last night? Or was it all a rouse to manipulate her?

Noah cleared his throat. “We need to leave.” There was a hint of worry in the furrow of his brow. Something had happened.

“What?” Kari asked. “Oh no. She’s not letting me throw her a bachelorette party, the least you can do is let me spend the day with her.”

Noah glanced over at Kari. “I’m sorry. We have to go. We have a…cake emergency.” He met Sophia’s gaze.

She swallowed. Something was really wrong.

“Cake? We just saw Rebecca. She didn’t say anything about that.” Kari scoffed.

Sophia smiled over at Kari. “I should go. He seems pretty desperate.” Reaching out, she hugged her best friend. At least someone in her life was consistent. Kari, at least, would never lie to her.

When she pulled back, Kari looked disgruntled. Sophia patted her arm. “I’ll be fine. You can kidnap me on the wedding day, and we can get our hair done together.”

Kari furrowed her brow but then sighed. “Promise?”

Sophia nodded. “Promise.”

They said their goodbyes, and Sophia turned to Noah. “Let’s go.”

James followed after them as they stepped outside into the bright afternoon sun. Sophia squinted as she glanced up and down the sidewalk. She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

James and Noah were silent. They looked stressed but not like danger was imminent. She slowly let out her breath as she followed after them. When they got to the car, Noah held open her door, and Sophia made a point of not looking at him as she got in.

James started up the car and they took off down the road.

Sophia glared at Noah. “Want to tell me what that was about?” she asked, folding her arms.

Noah glanced up at James and then over to her. “You weren’t safe.”

Sophia groaned as she watched the trees whip past them. James was definitely speeding now. Speeding…out of town. Worry rose up in her stomach. She straightened as she caught Noah’s eye.

“What is going on?”

When Noah pursed his lips, she wanted to punch him. “Why aren’t you telling me the truth?” She dropped her voice. “You promised.”

That seemed to hit its intended target. Noah’s expression softened.

“Sophia, I…” He swallowed. She could see the pull inside of him—his desire to be honest with her. He was confused and worried. And she wasn’t going to let up. She deserved the truth, and after all these years, Noah had to think the same.

“Someone’s following James,” he said.

She saw James’s gaze flick up into the review mirror.

“Noah,” he said his voice tinged with warning.

Sophia glared at James. She wasn’t surprised that he would attempt to halt Noah. When it came to lying, her father was king. He wouldn’t tell her the truth if his life depended on it.

“Why can’t he tell me this? He’s just being honest. You—you’ve never been honest. Not to me. Not to Ben. Not to mom.” Her voice grew quieter as she spoke. The memories of the people she loved came flooding back to her, strangling her throat and making it hard to breath.

James had grown quiet as he focused on the road. The whole car was silent. Fifteen minutes down the highway, James exited. After heading down a dirt road for a few minutes, he pulled off into a field and parked.

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