Page 160 of Double Fault

Freaking Noah and his thoughtfulness. God, my heart pangs so violently I almost double over.

I love that man, but damn him for making me sad all over again.

I turn my phone on, not at all surprised when I’m greeted by a string of texts.

Noah: What did you get to eat?

Noah: Are you feeling okay? Jet lag?

Noah: Have you heard anything about the job?

Noah: Why aren’t you answering?

Noah: Is your phone not working?

Noah: You can turn airplane mode off now.

Noah: Did you turn your phone completely off?

Noah: Sabrina, please, I just want to make sure you’re okay.

Noah: I’m emailing you.

I can’t help but smile.

Me: Thank you for all the hair products.

He replies instantly.

Noah: You’re welcome. Don’t go radio silent on me again. Please.

Me: I think it’s better if we talk less. Just for now. It hurts too much.

Three little dots appear and disappear and appear again.

Noah: I see what you’re doing and NO. We’re not breaking up without even giving the long-distance thing a shot. We have to try, Curls. Just like you have to try this job. Okay? Talking less isn’t going to make you less sad. Those two things don’t equate, so don’t even go there. Now, tell me—what are you up to?

I can practically hear him lecturing me.

Me: I’m getting ready to make breakfast. It’s a little late, but I slept for a long time.

Noah: I have to get back to training. Enjoy your breakfast. I love you.

Me:

I slap a hand to my face and groan. The man tells me he loves me, and I give him a thumbs-up. I’m pathetic.

My need to shut down and protect myself might be the undoing of everything.

“I take it Noah has you looking at your phone with that pathetic puppy dog face?”

Startling, I set my phone down and spin to face Alyssa. “Is it that obvious?”

With a squeeze of my shoulder, she passes me and heads for the fancy high-tech stainless-steel coffee maker on the opposite side of the kitchen.

“Love turns us into the best and worst kind of fools.” She sets the coffee maker to brew, then turns and leans against the cabinets. “I obviously don’t know the gist of what went down, but are you okay? Is this what you want?”

I rub my hand over my face and pull out one of the stools at the island. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

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