Page 8 of Marrying a Spy

Chapter Three

“Are you serious?” Sophia said as she paced in the kitchen.

Simon, the chef, harrumphed as she bumped his elbow, causing onions to fly onto the floor.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, but she didn’t stop pacing. She had too much frustrated energy to work off.

“He seems sorry enough,” Jazzy said as she leaned her hip against the counter and folded her arms.

Sophia hated the fact that her aunt was taking Noah’s side. He’d been the one to leave her. He’d broken her heart. And yet, that didn’t seem to matter to Jazzy. Her aunt had always loved Noah, and that was apparent now more than ever.

But what Jazzy didn’t realize was that Sophia couldn’t welcome Noah back into her life. He was only there to work an angle. And it was only a matter of time before he got what he wanted and left.

“But—” Sophia’s voice wavered. She turned away so she could hide that she was breaking inside. She paused, trying to swallow her emotions.

An arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she looked over at Jazzy, who’d stepped up next to her.

“Honey, I’ve seen you push everyone away from you ever since your mom and Benny died. You’ve convinced yourself that you aren’t destined to be happy. To feel love.”

Her stomach twisted at the mention of her mom and Benny. They’d been her whole world after her dad left when she was eleven. And to lose them both like that? She shook her head. She’d decided to never get close to anyone ever again. That way, she’d never get hurt.

Which was why having Noah here was so hard. Despite her best efforts, he was chipping away at that resolve. Apparently, a heart doesn’t forget a history like theirs.

Then her shoulders slumped as she sighed. She knew what she needed to do. If she wanted Noah Elliot to leave, she needed to figure out what why he was here. He was relentless when he wanted something. Their past relationship was evidence of that.

Her mother had hated Noah and had basically forbidden their relationship. She’d said she saw too much of Sophia’s father in him. Sophia did what she could to stay away from him, but Noah was persistent and finally won her over.

Just to turn around and break her heart.

Jazzy didn’t seem to notice the internal turmoil going on inside of Sophia. She had a contemplative expression on her face, like she was trying to figure out how to convince Sophia to give Noah another chance.

Not wanting to start another round, Sophia gathered her courage and gently pushed away from her aunt.

“No use avoiding him. He’s just going to follow me everywhere,” she said.

Jazzy’s face lit up. “Yes. Go talk to him.”

Sophia hated how hopeful her aunt sounded. Nothing—nothing—was going to happen between them. She knew better than to fall for Noah again. She was going to keep him at arm’s length at all times.

Before Jazzy could respond, Sophia walked out the kitchen door and scanned the dining room. When her gaze landed on Noah’s dark hair and tanned skin, butterflies took flight in her stomach. She stifled a groan.

No. She couldn’t have any feelings for Noah. She hated him, and she’d make the resolve right now to hate him forever if she needed to.

Noah was off limits. Period.

Trying to muster her most confident walk, she weaved her way through the tables and plopped down in the seat across from him. He was studying the menu, and his gaze met hers when he glanced up.

“What do you want?” she asked again. She’d actually given him the opportunity to explain himself several times today. He was the one acting weird and aloof.

Noah closed the menu and set it next to him. He glanced around like he was about to discuss top secret information.

Sophia rolled her eyes. He was always so dramatic.

“Can we go somewhere?” he asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.

Sophia scoffed. “I’m working.”

She mainly worked at the Rusty Barrel because she hated sitting at home all alone with only her thoughts for company. Jazzy told her she worked too much, but Sophia needed it to survive.

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