Page 92 of Double Fault

Noah: I’ll make reservations.

“What did he say?” Maddie is back, dancing on the tips of her toes in front of me.

“Come on, tell us,” Ebba pleads.

“We’re going on a date.”

“Yay!” Maddie cheers and Ebba claps.

Next door, the unmistakable laughter that belongs to Noah rings out.

I heave a sigh. “No more truth or dare. It’s time for bed, missy.”

Frowning, she crosses her arms and lowers her chin. “It’s not even that late.”

With a pointed look at the clock, I say, “It’s a lot later than you usually stay up. We can start a movie, but we all have to lay down in our sleeping bags, okay?”

“Fine,” she agrees with a huff.

I braid my hair loosely, then dig my silk sleeping bonnet out of my bag and put it on.

Ebba pulls hers out too, and with her lips pursed, Maddie studies each of us.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a silk bonnet,” I explain, running my fingers over the fabric. “It helps protect your hair.”

Maddie’s mouth ticks down. “I don’t have one. Do I need one?”

Warmth blooms in my chest at her concern. “Not necessarily. You have a different hair texture, but honestly, a bonnet is beneficial for all hair types. I have an extra one if you want it.”

She nods, her eyes lighting up. “Yes, please.”

Ebba braids her hair while I search through my luggage. When I find it, I pull out the bright pink material with a flourish.

“Found it.”

Ebba takes it from me and puts it carefully on Maddie’s head, making sure to secure it so it’s tight enough to stay on but shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

When it’s in place, Maddie touches it gently and beams. “Look at us. We all match.”

My heart melts. This little girl has no idea how much better she’s made my life. “That we do.”

Ebba starts the movie while Maddie wiggles her way into her sleeping bag, and fifteen minutes later, she’s out cold.

When she starts snoring lightly, Ebba says, “Let me know when the date is. I want to help you get ready.”

My heart skips a beat at the realization: I’m going on a date with my boss.

“I will.”

It takes a little while, but eventually I drift off to sleep as well.

CHAPTER 25

NOAH

I didn’t planto crash Maddie’s teatime—okay, that’s a lie; I absolutely made the reservation for three people—but I only did it on the off chance I had a little free time. And I really, really didn’t think I would. When I mentioned to Fisher that I wanted to join them, he worked his magic and got me out of training early. Sure, they made me hit every goal we had for the day before I left, but the brutal workout was worth it.

---