Page 21 of Chasing Infinity

“There’s a story in there somewhere, and I best be hearing it in the next thirty seconds.”

I chuckle at my friend but explain to her how Noah sought me out after the service, asking for a ride. It had made my stomach do all sorts of happy somersaults—the feeling of being sought after by a man like Noah is empowering. Especially when he came to me for help. He made it clear by his actions that he had needed me with him today, and I did my best to be present so I could help in any way I could.

I also told Grace about the ride back to the diner from the cemetery. Eli claimed my front seat again rather than going with Charlie and was particularly vocal about how he felt of Noah riding with me today. I had given Eli a firm stare and made a point that not only had the day been about Noah’s mother, he was also one of my oldest friends. Eli had grumbled about it, clearly not appeased, but had let it lie. Eli knows better than to push disagreements with me too hard. History has shown I’ve always won when it comes down to it.

“You better be careful with that,” Grace says. “I know you’re not interested in Eli long term, but he definitely is interested in you. And we’re both fully aware of how Eli feels about Noah.”

“I know. But I would hope that Eli knows that Noah’s still important to me and won’t push it too far,” I explain.

“You give him a lot more credit than you should, babe. He’s still a man, who happens to hold you on a very high pedestal. Just be aware of that. Also side-note, the mayor is coming this way. Look alive; he preys on the weak,” she whispers to me. At her words, my spine straightens, and my shoulders roll back. I can feel every muscle in my upper body come to attention to avoid getting caught off guard.

Declan McCoy steps into my view seconds later, a sly grin painting his face. I glance to his right and see Noah a few paces away, watching the interaction with observant eyes. His body is coiled tight as if he’s ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.

“Ms. Parks,” Declan begins. “I just wanted to give you my gratitude before I left. Thank you for making such a remarkable effort today. We had a great turnout, and it seemed everyone was pleased with the service.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” I reply to him honestly.

Declan hums and nods before looking towards Noah. “You’ve got a good one here, Son. I’d keep an eye on her if I were you, wouldn’t want somebody to steal her right from under your nose again, hm?”

I look at Noah just in time to see the full effect of his scowl towards his father. It only spurs Declan on, as he lets out an amused laugh and then excuses himself with another muttered thank you. Noah takes a few steps after his father before stopping and turning towards me. Where Declan’s eyes displayed strategy as if I was a little pawn in his game, Noah’s gaze exhibits sincerity.

“Thank you, Addison,” he says in his low voice.

I raise my eyebrows at the sound of my first name coming from his lips. I can probably count on one hand the number of times he’s outright called me Addison. Usually, in moments where he wants to get across how he’s feeling without actually saying it. Though my attention is entirely on Noah standing in front of me, I can see Grace bounce giddily in her seat in my peripheral vision.

“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure. Really.”

“I’m glad you were—” he pauses and considers his words carefully before saying them. “Thank you for being there today. I don’t know if I could have done it without you.”

“You could have,” I whisper. “You’re stronger than you think.”

A kind of softness that I’ve never seen crosses his face. My heart rate skyrockets and my stomach flips as I feel the full weight of his appreciation on me. Noah gazes at me for a moment too long before remembering himself. He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders the cool mask of indifference sliding onto his features muting the affection in his eyes. He dips his chin in my direction before heading towards the door. I manage to hop to my feet, trailing after him not quite ready for him to leave.

“Wait.” He stops. I glance back at Grace, who’s watching the events play out as if we were a bad soap opera. When I speak to him again, I lower my voice so only he can hear me. “Maybe it’s not my business, but when you took that phone call earlier today you looked really troubled about something. Is everything okay?”

Noah blinks at me before looking away and tightening his jaw, the muscles ticking methodically. “Yeah, Parks. As okay as it can be. I better go.”

“Oh,” I reply, deflating. Throughout today, I felt like we were making headway, getting back to the way things used to be. It felt good, as if the world was finally back on its correct axis, but I guess I was wrong. “Okay. Well if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.”

Noah doesn’t reply. He just dips his chin and turns on his heel, leaving my diner and me in his wake. I watch after him as he goes. His broad shoulders are tight and he walks with purpose, his feet striking the ground with every step. I press my lips together, suddenly regretting not pushing a little harder. Noah’s struggling, and I wish I could do more to help, but I suppose it’s not my place. With a resigned sigh I head back to the booth were Grace is sitting smugly.

“What?” I snap at her when I get close enough. She’s observing me like the cat who got the cream—her lips pulling up on one side in a smirk, dark eyes gleaming.

“That man is really putting up the good fight.”

“What does that mean?” I ask her, exasperated. “I’m way too exhausted for your riddles.”

“Oh, it doesn’t mean anything,” she says with a flick of her hand. “Just know that I’m fully invested in seeing where this leads over the next few days.”

“Grace,” I groan, dropping my head in my hands.

“Did you ask him if he wanted to stay on your couch?”

I peek over my fingers at her and then drop my arms onto the table with a dullthud. “Yes.”

“And?”

“And he said he’d think about it. It didn’t sound too promising. Noah is as independent as they come. No way he would accept a handout like that, especially from me.”

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