Page 169 of Double Fault

“Can I think about it?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around the information she’s given me.

“Yes, of course.” Head lowered, she smooths the napkin in her lap. “I would love to hire you, but the open spot at my school may not be the job for you right now and that’s okay.”

I should be jumping up and down, eager to take the job. It’s everything I’ve wanted for so long. Instead, my heart aches without Noah and Maddie.

“Try not to stress about it,” she says. “Everything will work out in the end. That’s what I tell my students.”

The whole way home, my mind races. I’m more confused than ever, and I have so much to think about.

CHAPTER 42

NOAH

“Does love make everyone this annoying?”

I arch a brow at Elias, who’s sitting across from me. I’m not sure why, when he saw me sulking in the café across from our hotel, he thought it would be a great idea to bother me.

“Do you enjoy forcing your presence on people who don’t want it?”

He grins, his teeth a bright white in the sunlight. “Immensely. Granted, I’ve never been in love, but the way I see it, the most logical thing to do would be to call Sabrina up, tell her you miss her, and ask her to come back.”

Brow cocked, I eye him over the rim of my espresso cup. “No.”

He rolls his eyes. “Explain it to me, then, because I don’t fucking get it.”

“One day you’ll fall in love?—”

He scoffs.

“You will, Elias, I promise. And when you do, you’ll understand. Loving someone means being willing to do just about anything for them, even if it makes you miserable. I hired Sabrina knowing this wasn’t her ultimate goal. I didn’t plan onfalling in love with her, but regardless, this gig was never going to be a forever thing for her.”

“Shit changes,” he argues. “She fell in love with you too. The whole world can see it. She wasn’t even swayed by my charm.”

I bark out a laugh. “Your charm?”

Rearing back, he scoffs. “You’re a straight man, so naturally, my charm doesn’t work on you. But trust me, there are plenty of people out there who can’t resist it.”

This asshole. I shake my head, but I can’t help but grin.

“Since we’re friends,” he goes on, “I feel uniquely qualified to give you advice.”

“Oh?” I laugh. “We’re friends now, are we?”

“Shut up. You know you like me.” He holds up the small menu and scans it.

Shit, looks like the fucker won’t be leaving me alone any time soon.

He’s right, though. Unfortunately, he’s grown on me. In all honesty, I think I liked it better when I hated his guts. It was so much easier to ignore him back then.

“All I’m saying is, I know you’re trying to be all selfless over here, butwoo.” He wiggles his fingers. “Big fucking deal. You look like you cry yourself to sleep every night, and the skin under your eyes is so saggy you should probably borrow some of my sister’s moisturizer.”

“Um… that’s mean.” Damn it. What’s with the Johnson siblings and their concern about the bags under my eyes? Are they really that bad?

“I can be meaner. Would you like me to add a little razzle dazzle?” He rubs his fingers together like he’s sprinkling salt on a dish.

“Not particularly.” I sigh. “How about you just get to the point?”

“The point is…” He leans across the table. “Actually…” He cocks his head to one side. “I’m not sure what my point is. All I know is if I was this down bad for a chick, I’d do something about it.”

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