Page 47 of Before We Fell

He barely looked at me through his black-framed glasses, perched low on his nose. “Your old office is still empty, sir.”

Sir. I hadn’t been called that in months. I definitely didn’t miss that.

I quit thinking about it and hurried to my office. I’d blown half of our break on thinking about Lauren and my life instead of doing something about it, so I was already dialing her number, phone ringing at my ear before I reached my office and flicked on the lights.

The large corner office was empty save for a black leather couch I’d spent way too many uncomfortable nights sleeping on.

“Noah?” Lauren’s voice drifted through the phone and my grip tightened. “Everything okay?”

“That’s what I was calling to ask you.”

She huffed a soft laugh and I settled into the couch, sliding down until my ass was at the edge and my head was against the back cushion. Immediately, so damn tired.

“What are you girls doing?”

“I’m teaching Riley how to shotgun a beer and roll a joint.”

Her answer was such a surprise, a burst of laughter punched through my throat. “How’s she doing with that?”

“Her technique with the papers needs some work.”

Goddamn. This woman. Everything she did or said was completely unexpected.

I fought a yawn and closed my eyes. “Not sure the school would like knowing this.”

“Probably not,” she giggled. “I figure you won’t tell.”

“Your secret is safe with me. But really, how’s Riley?”

I missed her. She talked more. Laughed a little bit. I’d taken to declaring Wednesdays fun night which was why we’d been out at the restaurant earlier this week in the first place. She’d wanted to wear a pretty dress I hadn’t seen, which meant Mom had been shopping, and I had to take her someplace worthy of it. Somehow, on those nights, I was able to be her uncle again. Not the man in charge of her, the guy who’d spent years spoiling her rotten. Based on the fact she talked to me more, laughed more often, and screamed less at night, I figured it was working.

The braiding…that was another story, but at least she let me help her brush it now.

“She’s good, Noah. Pizza will be here soon, and we have some movies planned on Netflix.”

Another yawn hit me, and I couldn’t hide it fast enough. Covering my mouth, I barely muffled it. But damn, I was tired, and yet, I liked hearing Lauren’s voice. It was soothing, sweet in a way I’d pegged her being a teacher even if I didn’t know she already was.

“You sound tired. Are you on your way back?”

“God, I wish. We’re taking a quick break, but we’ve got hours more work to do yet.”

“Oh. Well if you’re tired, I don’t mind Riley staying the night here. If you’re tired now, you don’t have to get on the road.”

“I’ll be there. It just might be late.”

“Okay. Is there anything else you need then?”

You. I was wise enough not to say it, but with my eyes closed, all I could imagine was Lauren, curled up next to me on a Friday night, no pretense we were only together to help Riley. No pretense at all. I could sit and fall asleep to the quiet hum of her voice while she talked about her day at school and not give one single shit I was no longer living in a high-rise condo bringing down high six figures a year.

“I like that she’s with you,” I blurted. Smooth, asshole.

“What?”

“Riley. I like sitting here, hours away, imagining her with you. She’s probably giggled herself silly all afternoon, hasn’t she?”

There was a beat of silence, and then her voice, quiet as if she was trying to hide it from Riley. “Noah, are you okay?”

“Yeah, just saying, I like the idea of sitting here, thinking of you and Riley together. I like that a lot.”

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