“That’s two months away.”
She smiles. “Yes, and you’ve been amazing and patient with the whole situation. I appreciate it, and am happy to wait until October for rent. Please, it’s the least I can do.”
“Deal,” I reply. Instead of shaking my hand, Jenna tugs me in for a hug.
“I’m so glad you like it.” She pulls away and offers me the keys. “Here you go. You can move in anytime.”
“Might as well be today,” I say with a smile.
Jenna and I walk back to the studio where our vehicles are parked.
“Thanks again,” I call out and wave before driving away toward Noah’s place.
Honestly, I’m torn. It’s a relief to have my own place again. Noah’s house is comfortable, and I feel more than welcome there, but it’s not mine. I’ve stayed there because he’s kind and I needed somewhere to go.
Being close to the studio and back in town will be nice, although I haven’t hated the commute from Noah’s property.
I will have to drive out there to see my eagle, but that’s okay.
I walk into Noah’s farmhouse and take a deep breath. It smells like Noah here, and that’s something I will miss. I’ll miss being able to see him almost anytime I want.
But will that really change? I walk into the bedroom and start filling my bags with my few belongings.
It’s not like Noah and I will stop seeing each other. We can still go on dates or spend the night at each other’s houses. He’s just a short drive away.
The relationship doesn’t have to change.
I carry my things out to the Jeep, then go back in and walk through the house, making sure I don’t forget anything.
The kettle Noah bought is sitting on the counter, next to the coffee pot. I didn’t see a kettle of any kind at Jenna’s.
I’m sure he won’t mind if I borrow this one until I have a chance to go and buy one.
I quickly write him a note, leave it on the counter by the coffee maker, and head out, excited to get settled in my new digs.
Chapter Ten
~Noah~
“Fal?”
It’s been a shit day. We lost an owl to lead poisoning, and one of the other owlets that Fallon and I saved that day on the highway is sick. We don’t know why.
It’s damn frustrating.
I’ve been looking forward to coming home and seeing Fallon all day. She’s a balm to my soul and always lifts my mood.
But she’s not here.
I wander into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and see a note on the counter. Maybe she’s going to be late?
Dear Noah,
Good news! Jenna has a rental for me. I checked it out this afternoon, and it’s perfect. So I’ve moved in. The address is 689 Lookout Ave. Feel free to come by anytime! I hope you had a good day. I’ll see you soon. Oh, and just let me know if I owe you any money for utilities or anything.
XO,
Fal
P.S. I borrowed the electric kettle.
I read the note twice, certain I’m hallucinating. She left?
She fucking left?
No phone call, no text. Just a quick and dirty note on the counter as if she’s been my roommate for the past couple of weeks.
Maybe that’s all it was for her.
I shake my head. Bullshit, it’s more than that for both of us. She’s just too fucking stubborn to admit it.
I crumple the note in my hand, grab my keys, and speed toward town in my truck. I’m not going to have this conversation over the phone. We’re going to do this in person.
Fallon’s Jeep is parked in the driveway, and Jenna’s car is parked at the curb.
Good. Fallon can tell Jenna she’s had a change of heart and won’t need the house after all.
I walk in without knocking and find the pair of them in the bathroom.
“I promise, this leak was not here this morning,” Jenna says with a sigh. “Damn it.”
“It’s a sign,” I say, startling them both. Fallon turns to me with wide, green eyes. “That you’re not supposed to be here.”
“Hey, Noah,” Jenna says with a smile and looks back and forth between Fallon and me. “So, I guess I’ll leave you two alone. I cut off the water to the faucet so it should be okay.” She stops, bites her lip, then waves. “Bye.”
“Bye,” Fallon whispers, watching me. “You’re mad.”
“Oh, fuck yeah, I’m mad.”
“Noah, we both knew that I wasn’t living there permanently.”
“Did we?” I advance on her, wanting to crush her to me, but I wait. She stomps past me into her bedroom, pulling her things out of her bag.
“I never said I was staying with you forever,” she adds, and it’s like a blow to the heart.
“Are you saying this was just a convenient, fun time for you?” I ask, my voice deceptively calm. “Am I the schmuck here, Fal?”