Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Stone
“ N oa? What are you doing here?”
Not the most appropriate words to say to her after all this time, but it’s all I could think of once I lock eyes with her, and the years that separated us shrink into minutes.
She’s in scrubs , is my first thought.
She’s still so beautiful, is my second.
Noa’s thrown her waist-length, dark brown curls into a pile on top of her head.
Even from a distance, her moss-green eyes are vibrant and pure.
A natural red flushes her cheeks. Same with her lips, which she used to chew on constantly and probably still does.
While the scrubs are boxy, her breasts round out the fabric, and if she turns around, I’m positive her lower half would do the same.
It's a thought I keep to myself, watching her with a mix of curiosity and caution as she
rises from the rocking chair, her hands coming together in front of her and picking at her cuticles.
“You’re a nurse.”
I say it as a statement. I’m not one to form questions when I’ve entered an unfamiliar environment, preferring to study the situation first.
Noa responds with a jerky nod.
“You wanted to be a chef,” I correct.
I distinctly remember her choosing a culinary school in Paris over moving to the west coast with me.
Carly responds to my question with an unnecessarily phlegmy scoff. I scowl at her. “Nice to see you, too, Carly.”
“Oh, the pleasure’s all mine, dick.”
I give a mute shake of my head and open the door behind the driver’s seat, collecting my luggage.
“What has made you deign to come back here?” Carly asks, sauntering down the porch steps and heading to a cherry-red Mercedes I assume is hers. It’s not Noa’s taste, but the scrubs have thrown me off. Did I get it wrong? Is Noa a doctor now?
I refuse to look like an idiot, so I say to Carly, “You must not keep up with the news.”
“Gimme a minute.” Carly holds up a finger and stares at her phone. “I need Google you and all the corporations you’ve stripped down to its bones to see which disgruntled employee has sent you enough death threats to put you into hiding.”
“Funny and original. I can see why you’re a lawyer now.” I lift both duffels and move to get past her. “Your rise in vocabulary gave you away.”
Carly’s brows twitch, unimpressed with my ability to assess her in a mere glance. “This town hasn’t missed you one bit, William Stalinski.”
It’s my second grimace since pulling in, and I’m almost successful at hiding it again. Noa’s lashes flutter down like she knows I’m ashamed, and she’s ashamed.
“I don’t go by that name anymore, as you’re aware.”
“Oh, apologies .” Carly flutters a hand against her chest before rounding to her side of the car. “I’d hate for anyone to know the truth of Stone Williams.”
I respond with my trademark tight-lipped, fully dimpled smile. “Drive home safe, Carly.”
Carly makes a face at me. “Not until Noa gives me the go-ahead to leave.” She folds her arms against her car’s roof and calls, “You okay, No?”
“Fine.” Noa’s pained expression looks anything but. “I’ve gotta head home soon, anyway, to feed Moo.”
“Moo’s still alive?” I don’t control the hopeful inflection in my tone in time.
“Of course you’re more concerned about a goddamned cat ,” Carly mutters, then slips into her car.
She slams her door shut at my question and revs her engine.
I don’t bother to watch her drive off when gravel spews against my pants as she reverses out, too focused on Noa fidgeting in front of me.
My strides lengthen when I think about whether she still smells the way she used to, like vanilla and oranges. I can’t help but want to close the distance.
I reach the top of the porch steps, dropping my luxury suitcases to my feet. “Hello.”
My voice comes out rougher than intended, but damn , it’s so good to see her.
Noa does nothing I’d expect. She doesn’t leap into my arms or burst into tears or scream at me for not saying a word to her all these years. Nothing a standard scorned woman from my past would do.
No, all she does is stare at me quizzically. Almost … appalled.
I attempt to brush it off. “I’m used to people freezing in my presence, but not in a way where they look horrified.”
Noa blinks. “I—you just surprised me, is all.”
I spread my hands. “I didn’t expect you here, either, visiting my mother after all these years.”
Noa’s response is to further commit to her appalled expression. “Does it look like I’m visiting her?”
“Yes.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “No, Will—sorry, Stone. I’m not visiting her.”
My chin notches at her tone. “I’m asking what you’re doing on my mother’s porch. Not that I mind, but …”
Noa stares at me. “Is this funny to you?”
I frown. “No. Is my expression communicating that this is humorous?”
She ducks into my vision. I control my instincts enough not to react to her sudden proximity.
“Will, I need to know if you’re kidding right now.”
“Stone,” I correct.
“Okay, stop with whatever emotionless corporate assessment you’re doing and be serious.”
“Corporate assessment?” I echo, allowing the question to come forward. It’s annoyance that tightens my voice and not the effort of lifting my luggage when I add, “I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry for that. I truly am.”
A decade ago, I would’ve sworn up and down that it was impossible to snuff the light out of Noa’s eyes. The wiser, jaded me knows better since I’m the first one who managed to do that to her.
“It’s been ten years, Noa. You can’t possibly hold on to hate that long. Not you.” I cock my head. “Or is it the opposite? Do you think chatting with my mother will bring you closer to me?”
“You think I’m here because I’m pining for you?” Noa holds her hands to her face, growing red with anger. “Oh my God , you have it so backward.” She spins away, pacing her side of the small porch. “I expected your new life to make you cold, but not obtuse.”
I frown at her back. “Whatever’s going on with you, I wish you the best. I’m going inside now.”
She whirls with a dawning expression. “You really don’t know what’s going on, do you?”
Noa reaches for me, but I dodge out of her way. “This was nice, but I’d like to unpack now.”
One of my greatest pet peeves, one I haven’t been able to shake since I was a kid, is not understanding what’s right in front of me when everybody else seems to. Of all people, Noa should’ve remembered that.
“Will—Stone—wait, please. I need to explain.”
But I’ve already shut her down.
Shoving the door open, I call, “Ma?”