Page 59 of Just One More Temptation

The door pushed open and Dylan walked inside. “Daddy, I don’t feel well. My stomach hurts.” She was holding on to her belly and she didn’t look well at all, her pallor a slight gray.

He rose to his feet. “Did you overeat Grandma’s cookies? And have too much birthday cake?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t hungry for cake. And I only had a couple of cookies.”

Placing the back of his hand on her forehead, he frowned. “You feel warm. Come on. Let’s get you home so you can rest. Go tell your sister we need to leave. I’ll be right there.”

He turned to his sibling. “Thanks, Liam. I owe you. When you find the right woman, I’ll be there.”

His brother’s eyes widened in mock horror. Or was it real? “So many women, so little time, bro. Settling down isn’t for me.”

Noah shook his head, knowing Liam’s carefree attitude about women was a result of that painful breakup with his ex. “For now, Liam. For now.”

He spent the next twenty-four hours taking care of Dylan who’d ended up with a stomach virus. And for the twenty-four hours after that, it was Dakota’s turn. Noah was spared, as were the adults who’d been around them at his parents’ house, thank goodness.

Though he’d wanted to get in touch with Fallon, the twins kept him completely busy, either taking care of them when they were sick, changing sheets, or laying beside them when they didn’t feel well. As much as he’d love to reach out, anything he had to say to Fallon needed to be done in person.

***

Without the galleryto use for her painting, Fallon holed up in the second bedroom of her house and buried herself in her dark mood, from her music choice to her artwork. She ignored her phone, both calls and texts, wanting nothing more than to be alone. Once she worked the pain out of her system, she’d show her face again but she wasn’t ready.

The frustration she felt at being stuck by her needs and Noah’s desires was overwhelming. She was as irrationally angry at him for being uncompromising as she was with herself. And the fact that the majority of the calls and texts she avoided had been from Brooke and nothing from Noah didn’t help.

Her phone rang and a message came in from Brooke.I’m outside your door. Open it or I’m using my key.

“Fine!” She put down her brush and wiped her hands on a rag before walking through her apartment and opening the door. “Come in.”

“I will, grump. What’s going on? Why are you avoiding me? And your dad? And your brothers? Everyone is asking me what’s wrong with you and I haven’t a clue.”

Fallon sighed and gestured for Brooke to follow her to the kitchen. “Want something to eat or drink?” she asked.

Brooke shook her head. “No. I want answers. I’m worried about you.”

No sooner had she started to speak than the tears began to flow. Somehow, she managed to repeat the story from Sunday, how she’d walked away from Noah and the girls, and she hadn’t heard from him since.

“Oh, honey. Why didn’t you answer? I would have been here and helped you through it.”

She sniffed and grabbed the box of tissues she kept on the counter. “I wanted to suffer.” After blowing her nose, she tossed the tissues in the trash and washed her hands. “Seriously, I just wanted to wallow.”

Brooke slung an arm over her shoulders. “Have you eaten anything?”

Fallon shook her head. “Not much. Some crackers.”

“It’s ice cream time then.” Brooke opened the freezer and pulled out two pints of ice cream. “Vanilla or cookie dough?” she asked.

Thinking of how she and Noah shared a love of vanilla, she chose the cookie dough. Would avoiding his favorite flavor help make a healthy break? She had no idea.

A few minutes later, she and Brooke were curled into the family room couch, each taking an end and sharing a blanket over their feet while eating ice cream out of the containers. They didn’t talk. There was nothing to say that could change how Fallon was feeling, no suggestion that would let her and Noah meet halfway.

But she was happy to have company, glad her best friend pushed past the barrier she’d erected to the outside world and forced herself in.

At least she felt less alone.

The doorbell to her apartment rang and she glanced at Brooke.

“Expecting anyone?” her friend asked.

Fallon shook her head. “Make them go away,” she muttered.

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