Page 25 of The Catcher
Chewing slowly, Noah replied, “He only told his sister.”
“And she’s how old?” McKenzie probed further.
“Twelve,” Noah answered.
“Well, we can officially scratch her off the list…” McKenzie began, but Noah cut him off.
“Be right back,” Noah said abruptly. He set his cutlery down and wiped his mouth with a napkin before rising from his seat and crossing the room, his steps purposeful as he threaded his way around the tables.
“You didn’t strike me as someone working for DoorDash,” Noah remarked sarcastically as he approached Natalie. She turned, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“Collecting lunch for the staff,” Natalie replied.
“Huh, that’s odd. I figured you as someone who would have had it delivered or sent out one of your assistants,” Noah commented, his curiosity piqued.
“Because I come from money?” Natalie raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable.
Noah leaned against the counter, his posture relaxed. “No, I just didn’t think Daddy would approve. You know, what with him being so big on appearances.”
The clerk behind the counter handed Natalie the bill, and she tapped a gold credit card against the machine to pay. “Thanks,” she said politely before collecting a bag full of food and turning to leave.
“Like I told you, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Have a good day,” Natalie added as she exited the restaurant, her voice trailing off.
Noah watched her go, a flicker of regret crossing his features before he glanced back at McKenzie observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow. Noah followed her out to the parking lot. “Hey, uh, look, I didn’t mean anything by it,” Noah said, his tone apologetic as he caught up to Natalie.
“Yeah, you did,” Natalie replied. She continued to walk, though now backward, facing him. “And you have every right to, what with all that you’ve been through. My father hasn’t made things easy.”
“Neither has mine,” Noah admitted, closing the distance between them.
“But it’s understandable. You think the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
She stopped walking, and Noah approached her cautiously. “Listen, I was thinking about our last conversation a few months back. What I said, it came off rude. I apologize. I didn’t know if I could make it up to you. Maybe lunch?"
Natalie held up the bags of food she was carrying.
“Right. Um. I meant dinner. Sometime this week?”
She studied him for a moment, her gaze searching. Noah could tell she was contemplating his offer, assessing his sincerity. They both had their angles and hidden agendas, but neither was willing to reveal them just yet.
“I’ll need to check my schedule with one of my assistants, as looking at my phone is exhausting,” she joked lightly, a small smile playing on her lips.
Noah smiled back.
“How’s this evening?”
“Um…” Noah glanced back at the restaurant, where McKenzie was watching them with a knowing grin. “Well, you see, we have an investigation,” Noah explained, trying to find an excuse.
“That prevents you from eating?” Natalie teased, raising an eyebrow.
“No, um, okay,” Noah relented, feeling flustered.
“I’ll text you my address,” Natalie said as she returned to her car.
“I’ll give you my cell,” Noah offered.
“No need, I already have it,” Natalie replied casually, reminding Noah of the contact information he had provided when he first came to High Peaks.
“Of course you do,” Noah chuckled softly as he watched her walk away.
