Page 47 of Already At Risk
Something in my stomach sank at the thought of distancing myself from them. I’d enjoyed that night on Natalie’s couch, watching TV with them, more than I cared to admit. I liked seeing Chloe’s excitement about her new bookshelf. Their home was warm and joyful, and I wasn’t sure if I’d just gotten too lonely as a recluse who lived alone, if maybe I was simply craving more human connection, to not spend most nights eating by myself, but I didn’t think that was it.
Which was why Noah’s glare was good for me. I needed this—the reminder. It would help me keep my shit together around Natalie when I felt increasingly like I was slipping, falling, something.
“Good. Okay.” Noah sounded satisfied.
But I wasn’t done. Because even if Noah was good, I needed to verbalize this—put it into the atmosphere. For myself, for him, for Natalie.
“I don’t take this lightly, Noah. It’s not just Natalie’s case that would be at risk. It’s my job, too. If I—” I cut myself off, looking up at the ceiling and knowing I shouldn’t spell it out any further, detail what Iwantedto happen when it came to his sister. “I could lose my ability to practice law, something I’ve been working toward my entire life.”
“And we don’t want that to happen,” Noah said, gripping myshoulder. “Because from what I hear, you’re pretty fucking good at your job.”
“I am,” I said, meeting his gaze, reassuring him. “And I’m incredibly close to a promotion I don’t want to fuck up.”
We both wanted the same things here.
Noah nodded. “Julian told me about that. I’m sure you’ll get it.” His lips kicked to one side. “Would some tickets to a Knights game help? I heard your boss is a fan.”
“I’m not interested in bribery,” I said with a lifeless chuckle. “But thanks.”
“I want to help.” An obvious sincerity rang through Noah’s tone. “With anything I can.”
“Appreciate it, man.”
I really did; it was more than I deserved after the fucking line I’d been tightrope walking with his sister.
With one last meaningful look, Noah strode past me, making his way to the bathroom, and I continued back to the table. I kept Noah’s reminders about how much was at stake for me and Natalie tucked into my chest as I walked, preparing to see her again, telling myself that I could do this. Icouldignore how fucking brilliant she was, how effortlessly beautiful she looked, how much tension simmered between us.
I concocted a plan in my head. It only spanned over the next few minutes, but at the moment, that was all I needed. I’d walk up to her, confirm our meeting time for her deposition, and then I’d walk away, simple as that. I’d leave this little London and Briggs family reunion and head home. Like a fucking professional.
It was a great plan.
Totally foolproof.
At least until I approached the table and found the girls still hovering together at one end of it, but this time with Natalie and Delilah included. Or, more importantly, until I overheard Gemma saying, “I think you just need someone to rip off the Band-Aid, you know? You deserve to get laid, girl.”
“I know,” Natalie said beneath her breath, confirmingthey were talking about her. My senses heightened; my body tensed. I stilled a pace or two behind her and noted the way her attention skirted to Chloe, clocking that she was all the way at the end of the other table, working on a crossword. “I just want to have a little fun and know that it’sjustgoing to be fun. Nothing too serious. Someone to experiment with. I don’t even know what I like. I never got a chance to figure it out.”
I don’t even know what I like.
The words bounced around my brain, both enraging and inciting me.
I bet I knew what she’d like.
Me.
“Oh, I’m sure we can find someone to fit that bill,” Gemma said, a bit playful and impish, like she’d been waiting for this moment where she got to set Natalie up for a long time. “A no-strings-attached arrangement withyou? There’d be a line out the door.”
Natalie swatted Gemma, like she was being ridiculous.
She wasn’t being ridiculous.
There would easily be a line out the door.
And fuck if I didn’t want to be the first one in it.
I wanted there to be zero competition about who that arrangement would be with, even if my strings already felt a little more than attached. I’d deal with that problem later.
A somewhat nervous laugh left Natalie’s mouth before she cocked her head to the side. “Do you know anyone? Preferably someone who doesn’t know my brothers.” She looked at Juniper across from her, and I felt my jaw harden at her question. “Maybe you’re the better person to ask, then. Not this one.” She cocked her head toward Gemma.
