Page 153 of Chasing Infinity

I narrow my eyes and focus on the sidewalk in front of us. “When you sayorganization, what does that mean?”

“A lot of bad stuff, Parks. Pretty much anything nefarious you could dream up, he’s probably done it.”

“Oh,” I respond, unsure what to do with this information. It’s not lost on me that Noah’s still being vague. But if the things his father has done are indeed that bad, I’m not sure I really want to know. “I wish you would’ve just told me all of this before you left.”

He sighs. “Yeah, in hindsight, I wish I would’ve too. Probably would’ve spared us a lot of heartbreak. But I did what I thought was best at the time. I’m sorry that I hurt you.”

I turn my head and give him a smile. “I forgive you. I just want to be able to support you, and I can’t do that if you don’t let me in.”

“I know. There are things that I can’t tell you still, just because of the nature of the case. Even though I’m not on assignment anymore, I still have a responsibility to keep things confidential. But I promise I’ll do my best to keep you in the loop from now on if it comes down to it.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I appreciate that.”

We finally round the corner, and my diner comes into view. I’m fully chilled to the bone now. I look up at Noah, hopeful that he’ll be game for my next idea. “How do you feel about stopping in and getting a hot chocolate or a coffee?”

“Is that what the doctor ordered?”

I laugh and nod my head. “As your nurse, I must insist that we listen to the prescribed recommendations.”

“Then I suppose we’re making a pit stop.”

Noah and I walk the rest of the way toward the diner. As soon as we’re inside, my staff all offer ushellos. We go up to the counter and take a seat at the barstools. Jack saunters over and gives us a grin.

“Hey lovebirds, you just popping in?”

“Could you get us each a hot chocolate please?” I ask my friend. “It’s freezing outside.”

“Absolutely,” Jack taps the countertop twice with a flat hand. “Coming right up.”

While we wait, a few of my employees swing by our table. I check in with them, asking how their day has been. They also sayhito Noah, asking how he’s been feeling.

Our drinks come just a few minutes later, and we both take grateful sips. I’m still reeling from our conversation on our walk, my brain processing all that Noah both told me and didn’t tell me. He stays quiet next to me, stacking the sweetener packets, knocking them over, and starting the process again.

“Hey, Addie,” I’m pulled out of my thoughts by Jack, standing in front of me, giving me a sheepish smile. “I was wondering if you could help me with submitting payroll. I think I have it all finished but I want to make sure it all looks right before I submit it.”

I glance at Noah, and he gives me a smile, silently telling me he’ll be fine without me.

“I think I’m going to head back upstairs and rest for a bit,” Noah tells me as soon as I make it back to the counter where he’s sitting. I glance at him and do a double-take. He’s gone completely pale, the pallor of his skin contrasting with the dark circles under his eyes. Suddenly Noah looks as if he hasn’t gotten good sleep in weeks.

“Are you feeling okay?” I ask him, concern seeping through my whole body. I thought he was doing better today, but maybe I pushed him too hard.

He nods weakly, and I can tell he’s trying to ease my worries. “I think so. I just think I need to lie down for a while.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

He shakes his head, “No, it’s okay you can stay down here if you want. I’m just going to sleep.”

“Okay,” I say, leaning toward him and pressing a kiss against his cheek. “Give me a call if you need anything.”

Noah smiles at me and then disappears upstairs.

I spend the next few hours working. Grace pops in for her shift and fills me in on the updates surrounding her new endeavor. I can’t lie and say I’mnothappy for her—her whole face lights up with excitement when she tells me about it—but still, deep down, I’m a little salty about her abandoning me with such short notice. Things will be fine, and I’ll continue to support her, but it does sting a little.

For a few hours, it feels like everything is back to normal. It’s just Grace, Jack, and me running the show. I don’t think about how our mayor is apparently a high-level criminal out to get his son, and I don’t worry about what that means for our future. All I focus on is doing what I do best.

Since Noah’s accident, I haven’t been down in the diner as much as I usually am. Getting the time to be here now is lovely. My regular customers are happy to see me, each asking how Noah and I are doing and if there’s anything they can do for us. I get a few offers for casseroles which I gratefully decline, but it’s always the thought that counts.

After a while, I decide to head back home to check on Noah. I trek upstairs and reach for my keys, stopping short when I see my front door cracked open slightly. I hear a deep voice booming from inside my home. Quietly, I take a few steps closer, listening to see if I can discern who it is.

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