Page 61 of Marrying a Spy

Chapter Twenty-One

James and Noah seemed rushed when they got to the safe house. In record time, they had unpacked the car and were wheeling the luggage through the house. Noah was agitated—Sophia could feel the stress emanating from him. Was he really that worried?

She doubted that Georgie or any of his men knew where they were. She didn’t even know. But, from their taught lips and stoic expressions, James and Noah were worried about something.

“Hey,” Sophia said as she reached out to grab Noah’s arm. He hesitated before glancing over at her. “What’s going on? You two okay?” She nodded toward James.

Noah gave her a smile, but his posture remained rigid. “We’re fine. Just ready to get this all behind us.”

She eyed him for a moment before letting him go. He was keeping secrets. It was written all over his face. She knew she shouldn’t care. He didn’t need to answer to her anymore. They were done. Finished.

Even though her heart broke every time she looked at him. Or thought back to those moments they’d shared earlier in the week. It didn’t matter. Noah was leaving and so was she.

She forced a smile and walked into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.

James and Noah walked in a little while later. They had on their boots, and both were sporting an uneasy expression. She eyed the two of them. “What’s going on?” she asked.

Noah stepped forward. “James and I are going to do a perimeter sweep. And then we have some business to take care of.” His voice dropped as he glanced over at her.

Worry exploded through her body, but she played it off. “Okay. Well, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.” She closed her eyes for a second and turned to focus on the brewing coffee.

“Are you going to be okay?” Noah was standing next to her. She couldn’t see him, but from the sound of his voice, she knew he was right there. Within arm’s reach. If she just turned…she shook her head. Thoughts like that were what got her in trouble in the first place.

“I’ll be fine, Noah. I’m a big girl.” She filled a mug and then lifted it up and held it between her hands. She stepped to the side as she turned so that there was more distance between them.

Noah’s brows were furrowed as he watched her. She could tell that he wasn’t sure what to think. She smiled, hoping it would ward him off.

He stared at her for a moment longer before he nodded. “Don’t let anyone in before Bobby from the agency gets here. The safe word is ‘Santa’s round belly.’”

Sophia repeated it, and Noah nodded.

He glanced over at her once more. Unsure what to do, she met his gaze. Big mistake. She could see what he was trying to hard not to say. That he loved her. She dropped her gaze. She didn’t want to hear him say it. They were done. There was no use opening up old wounds.

“We should go, Noah,” James said, stepping up next to them.

Sophia took a sip of her coffee. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

Noah’s jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes and then ducked his head. He moved to the front door and pulled it open. An arm wrapped around Sophia’s shoulders. Startled, she glanced over to see James was next to her.

“I know it doesn’t mean much, but I hope you’ll entertain your old man. I love you, and if you want, I’d love to see you again. When this is all over, maybe things can be different.” James was studying the floor.

Sophia wasn’t sure how she felt about the hug or his words, so she just nodded. “Yeah. We’ll see,” she said.

James squeezed her shoulders and followed after Noah. He shut the door behind him, leaving her alone.

Overwhelmed by the silence, a sob escaped her lips. She couldn’t hold her emotions at bay any longer. This entire week had been one stressful moment after another. All of it leading to this moment. James and Noah leaving to do something that felt they couldn’t tell her about.

She held her hand over her mouth as she closed her eyes. She allowed all the emotions and feelings that had been bottled up inside of her loose.

Suddenly, she was whipped around as two strong arms surrounded her. She didn’t have to open her eyes to know who was holding her. She could smell his cologne and feel the familiarity of his body pressed against hers.

Noah.

Even though she’d told herself they were done. Even though she knew that her heart might never mend from letting him in, she wrapped her arms around him and reveled in the feeling of him next to her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. His breath was warm on her ear.

She nodded into his shoulder. “I know.”

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