Page 68 of Don't Take the Girl
"I'm going to go wait with Asha," I say, getting off my stool.
"Wait." He grasps my elbow. "Does she really think I'm that bad?"
For a fleeting moment, his armor cracks. Beneath that arrogant façade, tight lips, and smoldering gaze, I get a glimpse of something raw and unguarded: vulnerability. I know what it's like to wear a mask and pretend as though you feel nothing.
"She doesn't talk about you, Trigg," I say, meeting his eyes. "So, you tell me."
A muscle twitches above his right eye; it's subtle, but I catch it. He may have preferred I tell him all the reasons she hates him as opposed to not being a thought. But I won't manufacture comfortable lies. Asha has shared very little about their tangled past, and I'm trying hard not to pry, to stay neutral in this war between them, because I think whatever started it is unfinished. This endless feud isn't driven by hate but rather by the phantom pain of what could have been.
"I'm going to go wait in the car with her," I say, chucking my thumb over my shoulder.
He gives me a single nod before deliberately shifting his gaze down the length of the polished bar.
I collect my phone off the bar, and no sooner than I turn around, I hear Fisher say, "Noah Donovan, long time no see. How have you been?"
I close my eyes and count to ten. This can't be happening. I made things abundantly clear to him when I told him I wouldn't be returning to Willow Creek and that there was no future for us. I was intentionally hurtful to ensure he understood this wasn't a conversation we were going to come back from. I wasn't going to entertain his phone call six months from now because I was lonely or needed someone with whom I felt comfortable. I was done. We were done. So why is he here?
"I've been better, but I can't complain too much. I'm done with school and going home to help manage the family businesses so my father can focus on his campaign." I finally chanceacknowledging his presence, because I don't want to be rude. His eyes meet mine. "Can we talk?"
"I think we did that already," I say firmly but quietly. I don't want to draw this out any more than we already have.
He takes my hand and walks me away from prying eyes and ears at the bar. "You talked. I listened. Now it's my turn. I thought about it, and I think you don't know what you want. You've had years to tell me we were done, and you choose now to do it…when London's back. I don't think that's a coincidence."
Here he is. This is the man I expected to see when I showed up to talk after dinner with the girls. Instead, he gave me careful responses that told me absolutely nothing. This is the passionate speech I was expecting.
I sigh and close my eyes. This is my fault. I never meant to hurt Noah. I do care about him, but my heart is not in it. However, I don't believe his is either.
"Noah, I?—"
"I want a week," he says, his blue eyes pinned on mine with resolute purpose.
"A week?" I raise a brow in question.
"Yeah, a week to show you I'm the man you want." He moistens his lip and reaches for my hands. "I'm the man who stayed."
I release his hands and smooth the front of my high-low white boho dress. "Noah, this has nothing to do with London. I'm not leaving you for London." I pinch the bridge of my nose, regretting my choice of words. "I can't leave you because we aren't now and never have been a couple."
"Hey, babe, are you ready to go?" Trigg surprises me, choosing that moment to stroll over and throw his arm around my shoulder. "I don't think we've met." He extends his hand in greeting to Noah. "Trigg Hale, the man she wants."
Noah's eyebrows shoot up, his eyes darting between me and Trigg. "Is he for real?" He puts his hands on his hips. "This is the same guy that sent you flowers?"
"Trigg, now is not the time," I say with a smile through clenched teeth. His little stunt is not doing me any favors.
"Oh, I disagree. I think now is the perfect time." His arm tightens around my shoulder, and I can see the wheels turning in Noah's head. Trigg doesn't have a clue who Noah is or what he did. He has no idea the shitstorm he's causing with this little spectacle.
I pinch my lips and turn to Trigg, pushing him back a step. "What are you doing?" I grind out so only he can hear me.
"We had a deal," he reminds me.
"Noah has nothing to do with that, and your brother knows you and I are not a couple."
"You told him?" he questions with a hint of intrigue.
"Not exactly," I say. I wasn't entirely careful with my words. I didn't outright tell him I was colluding with his brother or that there's no way I could actually entertain any kind of romantic relationship with Trigg. Still, because we have history, I'm sure he knows. "You'll just have to take my word on this one. He knows something is up."
"Plan changed. Dallas doesn't like him, so he stays," he says, looking over my shoulder at Noah, who is intently glaring back.
"I don't know what you're playing at, but I won't hurt London."
