Page 58 of Marrying a Spy

Instead of just standing around her house, looking like an idiot, she marched into her room proclaiming that she needed to pack. That was partly true, but mostly, she wanted to get away from Noah. How had things changed so quickly between them?

How had they gone from engaged to this…nothingingness? This crazy, lonely place, where the secrets between them were as isolating as fog after a warm summer’s day.

Was this it? Was this the end? She shook her head as she grabbed her suitcase from the closet and set it on her bed. She wasn’t going to let herself cry over him yet again. Over her lifetime, she’d cried too many tears for Noah, and she was tired of it. If he was going to keep things quiet, then so was she.

Determination to be strong rose up inside her as she shoved her clothes into the suitcase. After this, she was leaving this town. It was time she started a new life for herself. She needed to get away from James and from Noah. They didn’t deserve to be a part of her life anymore.

She was done living in the past. Hoping that, somehow, she could change it. She needed to decide right now if that was how she was going to keep living her life.

She hesitated as she took a moment to stare at her reflection in the mirror.

“You can do this,” she whispered under her breath. She squared her jaw and narrowed her eyes. Sure, it wasn’t a look that was going to scare anyone, but for the first time in a long time, she felt strong.

She was no longer going to be a product of her past. She was going to stand up and speak for herself. Have a voice against those who hurt her.

Feeling more confident, Sophia turned back to her suitcase and zipped it up. After getting her toiletries from the bathroom, she slung her bag over her shoulder and wheeled out her luggage. Noah was leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms folded, and James immediately stopped talking once she entered.

They straightened and looked over at her. “You ready?” Noah asked.

Sophia nodded. “Yes,” she said with the most confident voice she could muster.

Noah studied her and then glanced down at his watch. “Kari should be here any minute.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Let’s go over the plan one more time.”

Sophia sighed. “Kari’s going to take me to the engagement party at Summits. I’ll dance around in the crowd. After a few minutes, I’ll make my way to the bathroom, slip out the back, and meet up with you.”

“And Kari—” Noah started.

“And Kari will find someone who has the same hair color as me and keep talking to her like it is me.” Sophia finished. She glanced over at Noah. He’d grown quiet, as if he was examining her words.

“You’ll do great,” James said.

Noah didn’t look as confident as James sounded, but Sophia didn’t care. It wasn’t about pleasing either of them. It was about cleaning up this mess that James had made—and coming out of this alive—and then leaving. Walking away and not looking back.

“Great,” Sophia said just as the doorbell rang. She nodded to both men and then made her way to the front of the house.

Kari’s eyes widened as she took in Sophia’s clothing.

“That’s what you’re going clubbing in?” she asked, stepping to the side to let Sophia pass by.

“I’m not really going for the party,” Sophia said. She’d told Kari that Noah’s crazy ex-girlfriend was making threats against her. That’s how she explained the suitcase, the non-party, and the quick getaway she was going to need to make.

Kari took the bait, hook, line and sinker. Sophia hated that she had to lie to Kari, but if what James was saying was true, she didn’t want to endanger Kari’s life as well.

Sophia climbed into the car as Kari headed over to the driver’s side and started the car. Kari immediately started talking about work, her husband, and the party. Sophia settled back in the seat, letting the familiar sound of Kari’s voice wash over her. It felt good to cling to something familiar when everything around her was so disorienting.

Noah was like a completely different person. James? Well, she didn’t really know him enough to know if he was acting weird. Plus, she needed to prepare herself for a different life once this was all over. One without the black cloud of history hanging over her. And right now, that thought made her feel happy.

Well, as happy as she could be without the man she loved in her life. But what else could she do? Noah wasn’t talking to her. He was shut up tighter than a clam. One thing she was certain of, once he got like this, leaving was his next step.

This time, she wasn’t going to be the one left behind. This time, she’d be the one doing the leaving.

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