47. Zoey
ZOEY
I practically skipped out of the lecture hall. The exam I’d dreaded for weeks was finally over. I was confident that I had aced it. All those late nights studying had paid off. I couldn’t wait to tell Noah the good news.
I spotted him standing in the quad, hands shoved in his pockets, looking broody. Something was clearly bothering him, so I picked up my pace.
I kissed him when I reached him. “I think I totally crushed that exam.”
He gave me a small smile, but it was troubled. “That’s great, babe. l knew you would.”
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
He sighed heavily. “George is definitely behind the vandalism on the gym. He paid a rival gym to do it. And I also found some stuff out about my dad.”
“What did you find out?”
“My dad... he’s been betting on my fights. All these years, I thought he didn’t support me, but he bet on me every time. Every single time, no matter the odds.”
“Oh, Noah...” I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. I could feel the confusion radiating off him. His issues with his father ran very deep. “I’m so sorry about the gym, but isn’t your father betting on you a good thing?”
He rested his chin on my head and blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to think about my dad anymore. It’s good to know that he believed in me, but I wish he would have showed it. As for the gym and George, I no longer know who to trust. Except you.”
I tilted my face up to his. “Whatever George is up to, whatever is going on with your dad, we’ll handle it. I’m here for you. Always.”
Noah cupped my face between his hands. “I know, Zo. You’re my rock. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
My heart ached for him. “I didn’t know about the betting, but Christian did tell me he’s always supported you, even if he didn’t do it openly.” I shook my head. “I don’t understand why your father seemed so against you fighting, then went and bet on you.”
I actually had my suspicions about that, but I held my tongue. It was something Noah needed to hear directly from his father. “I really think you should talk to him. Get some clarity on all this.”
“Enough about my messed-up family,” he said after a moment. “What are your plans for the rest of the day? I’d really like to spend some alone time with you.”
I smiled softly, running my fingers through his sandy hair. “Well, I’m having lunch with Ro and my mother, but I’m free after that. And I’m sure Sam would be happy to have some guy time with Ro later.”
“I was thinking I might go see my dad today, but I have training with the kids, and then I have to meet the insurance claims adjuster at the gym.” He pursed his lips. “I promise I’ll talk to him soon, though.”
I understood the importance of that impending conversation. “I think that’s a good idea. In the meantime, let’s focus on the good stuff… like this alone time you mentioned.”
Noah chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest pressed to mine. “Oh, I like the way you think, Ms. Lester.” He captured my lips in a searing kiss.
I let myself get lost in Noah’s embrace, our troubles momentarily forgotten. But sooner rather than later, we’d have to face it. All I could do was pray that we’d weather those storms as strongly united as we were in this perfect moment.
Ro ran off to jump with his friend as soon as we entered the trampoline park. Mom and I settled on a nearby to keep an eye on them.
“So.” Mom crossed her legs and angled her body toward me. “How are things going with you and Noah?”
I grinned. “Really well, actually. I love him. More than I ever thought possible.”
My mother squeezed my hand. “I’m so glad to hear that, honey. You deserve happiness.”
I sighed, my gaze drifting to the colorful foam pits. “I do. And I believe Noah is the one who can give me that. But...” I hesitated, unsure how to verbalize my worries.
“But what, Zoey? You can tell me anything.” Her concerned expression prompted me to continue.
“Heather told me that Noah and I are fated mates. That we’re meant to be together. But he hasn’t brought it up at all. What if he doesn’t want to be my fated mate?”
She pursed her lips. “Well, have you considered that maybe he’s waiting for the right time? Or that he’s trying not to overwhelm you, given everything you’ve been through?”
I really hadn’t considered that. It was hard to think past my self-doubt. “I guess that makes sense. I just can’t help but worry sometimes. After George...” I swallowed hard.
“Oh, honey.” My mother put her arm around my shoulders. “I understand. But you’ve made so much progress. Don’t let those old fears hold you back from the love you deserve. Don’t let it do to you what it did to me.”
She was right. I had come a long way in rebuilding my confidence and sense of self-worth. I couldn’t let George’s abuse continue to taint my future.
“You’re right. I trust Noah. I know he cares about me. He loves me. I just need to keep working on letting go of those lingering doubts.” I leaned into her comforting embrace.
“That’s my girl.” Mom smiled proudly. “But are you sure you’re ready for this? From what I know, fated mates are a big deal, and it hasn’t been that long since you left George.”
“I am,” I said. “I truly believe Noah is the one for me. Fated mate or not, I trust him with my heart.”
She studied me. Finally, she said, “Then I support you completely. But please promise me you’ll keep being honest with yourself and with Noah, okay?”
“I promise.” I squeezed her hand gently. “Will you do something for me?”
She tensed. “What’s that?”
“Will you come with me to counseling? I asked Elaine, my therapist, if you could join us for a session. It’s not something she usually does, but she believes it will benefit both of us going forward.”
My heart hammered in my chest, and I watched her face intently, bracing myself for the rejection. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, but eventually she nodded.
“If she believes it’ll help you, I’ll come.”
I hugged her tightly. “Thank you,” I said softly in her ear.
As we watched Ro jump and laugh with carefree abandon, I made a silent vow. The next time I saw Noah, I would gather my courage and bring up the topic of fated mates. It was time to lay all the cards on the table and trust in the incredible bond we shared.
When we were getting ready to leave, Sam arrived to pick Ro up for the night.
“Hey, Zoey, Bridget.” Sam nodded at us, his gaze lingering on Mom. “You look nice.”
Mom smoothed down her hair self-consciously. “Thank you, Sam. It’s good to see you.”
There was some majorly awkward tension between them. Sam didn’t give Mom too much attention, but I caught her sneaking glances at him when she thought no one was looking.
Ro ran into Sam’s arms. “Grandpa! Ready for our guy’s night?”
“You bet, buddy. Say goodbye to your mom and grandma.”
After a round of hugs and kisses, Ro and Sam left. My mom tracked them with her gaze all the way outside, but Sam didn’t even glance back.
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued, and shot my mother a mischievous grin. “So, you and Sam, huh?”
Her face flushed. “What? No, it’s not like that. I just?—”
“Mom, I saw the way you were looking at him.” I nudged her playfully. “He has aged pretty well, hasn’t he?”
“Zoey.” She swatted my arm, but then the corners of her lips twitched. “Why didn’t you warn me that Sam had become such a silver fox?”
I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the parking lot. “Silver fox? Oh my God, Mom, I can’t believe you just said that.”
Her eyes sparkled with a light I hadn’t seen in years. “Well, it’s true. The man is like a fine wine—better with age.”
We giggled together, the earlier tension temporarily forgotten. It felt good to share a light-hearted moment with her, to see a glimpse of the vibrant, carefree woman she could have been.
I linked my arm with hers. “Come on, let’s go grab a coffee. You can tell me all about your newfound appreciation for Sam’s silver fox status.”
Mom shook her head, still grinning. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”
“I learned from the best.” I winked, leading her toward the car.
With Mom’s support, Ro’s happiness, and the promise of a future with Noah, I finally allowed myself to believe that everything was going to be okay.
I returned home to Noah’s later that night to find the house bathed in a soft, warm glow.
Flickering candles dotted every surface, their gentle light dancing across the walls.
Soft music played in the background, the melodic tune wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.
The tantalizing aroma of seafood filled the air, making my mouth water.
My heart skipped when I stepped into the dining room. Noah stood beside the table set for two. He looked up as I entered, his blue eyes shining with love and a hint of nervousness.
“Noah, this is incredible. What’s the occasion?”
He walked over to me, taking my hands in his. “I wanted to do something special for you, to show you how much you mean to me.”
My throat tightened with emotion. He’d gone through so much effort to create this romantic atmosphere. As we sat down to dinner, I decided now was as good a time as any to broach the subject of fated mates.
“Noah, can I ask you something?” I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. “Why haven’t we talked about the fact that we’re fated mates?”
He paused, his fork halfway to his mouth.
“I... Zoey, I’ve known from the first moment I saw you.
I’ve always wanted to tell you, but it never seemed like the right time.
You were going through so much, and I didn’t want to add to your stress.
” Noah reached across the table and put his hand on top of mine.
“And then, when you started making so much progress and growth in your personal life, I was afraid of scaring you off. I never wanted you to feel like I was upset about it or that I didn’t want this.
The more I got to know you, the more thrilled I became about our connection.
I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for me. ”
His words washed over me, soothing the doubts that had crept into my mind.
“How do you feel about it, Zoey?”
I took a moment to gather my thoughts. “Honestly, if you’d told me a year ago, or even when I first came back to town that I would be this happy and content to be cosmically tied to a man, I never would have believed it.
But here I am, and it makes my heart so happy.
” I smiled as I remembered Heather explaining fated mates to me.
“When Heather first told me about it, I thought it was a bad thing. That I’d be tied to you regardless.
But now, I see that you want nothing but the best for me.
You’ve shown me faith and encouragement, things I now know were lacking before, thanks to my therapist. I’m starting to believe that I deserve a good future. ”
“You deserve that and so much more,” Noah said. “but I should tell you, if you allow me to claim you, that’s it, Zoey. It’s forever. I won’t do it without your permission. Never. Only when you’re ready.”
Noah’s earnest words reassured me. George had told me about claiming—he’d always said he couldn’t do it because I was human. But this was Noah. I’d accepted that I was his fated mate, so having him claim me would be the next step.
As we continued our dinner, the conversation turned to our plans for the future. It was hard to picture it while George was still a very real threat.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid every time we leave the house,” I admitted.
“Even now, I’m stopping myself from calling Sam every five minutes to make sure Ro is okay.
I want to believe that we have a future, but before I can truly feel secure, I need to know George will leave me and Ro alone. ”
Noah leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as he spoke.
“I’ve been thinking about how to deal with George.
I can’t rely on Warman when we’re not seeing results.
” He paused, searching my face. “Zoey, if it comes down to it, will you be able to find peace if I have to...” He cleared his throat. “If I have to kill Roland’s father?”
My breath hitched. Damn. The gravity of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders. George was dangerous, but the thought of Ro losing his father, even one as terrible as George, made my heart ache.
“I’m not sure how Ro would feel about his father dying,” I admitted.
“But I know he doesn’t care about having George in his life.
He’s caused us both so much pain.” I laced my fingers through his.
“I trust you. I trust you to do what you think is best —for all of us. I believe in you, Noah,” I whispered.
“I believe in us, and the future we can have together.”
Noah’s grip on my hand tightened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “We’re going to make it through this. And when we do, we’ll have a bright future waiting for us.”