Entangled (63 page)

“Yeah, I’m a complete nervous wreck.”

“Babe, there’s nothing to it. It’s gonna be great.”

“How can you be so calm?” I start to babble about how I just want them to get along and I’ve never had to go through this introduction of boyfriends.

“Let’s just be ourselves, and it’ll be fine.”

“Am I just being paranoid?”

“No, you’re not. You’ve never been through this, so it’s natural to be nervous. But don’t be, I’ll be right here beside you. We’re in this together.” I believe that.

We pull up to the house, Noah shuts off the engine and shifts in his seat to look at me. His expression is serious. “I may tell you this a thousand times but I’ll never stop saying it. I’m so proud of you, Maddy. I’m so god damn proud of you, your strength is incredible. You’ve endured so much, yet you’re a selfless, kind-hearted, fearless woman. I left you during a shitty time and yet you forgave me. You were still able to look at me with such love, love I didn’t deserve. I can’t express my gratitude enough. I love you so much and feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Your heart, soul, you and you alone are mine. Always.” He wipes a tear from my eye that slipped out and more fall. It’s hard to keep my emotions at bay, when his heart is so opened to me. I wipe my nose on my sleeve. For the first time in a long time, it’s tears of happiness and joy that I’m crying. Noah leans in and kisses my face.

“I love you, Noah. Thank you for pouring your heart out. God, that was beautiful.” He smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I pull the mirror down to check my reflection and cringe. My eyes are red and puffy. I touch up my very faint make-up but apply some eye shadow and blush. “Maybe I should have saved that speech for after the meeting.” I squeeze his hand.

“I’ll take that speech wherever I can get it.”

“Let’s go, we don’t have much time.” He tugs on my wrist and I almost poke myself in the eye.

“Okay.” We get out of the car and walk hand in hand to the door. After taking a deep breath, I knock twice. Noah gives a light squeeze and I meet his gaze and smile. Knowing he’s beside me helps settle the fluttering nerves.

As I raise my hand to knock again, the door swings open. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you knock right away.” His hair is tousled and his shirt looks out of place. Noah and I exchange a look, suspicious.

“That’s okay; we just stopped by for a minute. Are you busy?” He hesitates for a moment, glancing behind him before opening the door and gesturing us inside.

“No, come in.” So many thoughts run through my head but I keep quiet. I look around, it looks and feels different from the last time I was here. It feels better, happier, inviting. “Dad, this is Noah, my love, my life.” I smile and my eyes lock with Noah’s. “Noah, this is…my daddy.” I grip my dad’s hand between us. They smile at each other, both very tall, almost the same height. My father looks healthier, like he put on some weight and his eyes aren’t as tired. He even has more color to his skin.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Walker.” Noah extends his hand and my dad shakes it.

“Please call me Joe. And it’s nice to meet you too. I’ve heard good things about you.” Noah smiles and takes my hand, kissing it, but keeping his attention on my dad. “Well, I have your daughter to thank for that. She’s an amazing woman.” His intense gaze traps me, taking my breath away, “She saved me.” My father glances between us and smiles, “Listen I don’t want to rush our visit, but I have some things to do.” Noah checks his phone.

“Oh sure, we should have lunch some time.” I tell him, nudging Noah in the arm. “Right babe?” He looks up from his phone, shaking his head.

“Yeah, sounds great sweetie. Would you excuse me a moment?” He walks away.

“So who is she?”

My father’s reaction confirms my suspicions. “How do you…what makes you..”

“Relax dad, it’s not like you were all that subtle about it when you answered the door with rumpled hair and your shirt looked wrinkled. It was obvious you were doing something.” He relaxes, dropping his shoulders. “Let me give you some advice though, next time you wanna hide your hot date, check for lipstick.” I point to his mouth.

He brings his hand to his lips, wiping the smeared pink evidence. “Shit, sorry. That’s embarrassing.” I wave my hand and laugh. “Really, it’s fine. I think it’s great. Where did you meet her?”

“Supermarket.” I can’t help but wonder what Noah’s up to.

“We’ll be out of your way.”

“Maddy, I’m glad you’re okay with this.”

“Of course, it’s time to move on.”

“Noah seems like a great guy. I’m glad you have each other.”

“Me too.” Noah walks back in and stands beside me. “Ready?” I shake my head.

We say our goodbyes and part. The car ride is quiet and the wheels in my head start to turn. “My dad is seeing someone. He’s dating.”

“Wow, good for him. I thought that was lipstick he was wearing. I didn’t want to say anything.”

“I told him when you walked away. I figured I’d save him from further humiliation. By the way, who was on the phone?”

“Spencer.” He keeps his eyes on the road. I know Noah misses him. He needs more guys to hang out with. Although he, Derrick and Landon have gotten much closer and I’m happy he has some male interaction. “I love you.” I say, reaching my hand to lay atop his knee. He laces our fingers together with mine.

“I love you too. I told you the meeting would go great.” He kisses my plam and drops my hand onto his lap. I let out a contented sigh.

We pull up to the apartment; Noah helps me out of the car. I’m ready for a nap or a shower. I need some coffee. I just want to sprawl out on the couch, I’m so deep inside my head and don’t pay attention when we walk in, my apartment is filled with bodies. People. Andi, Linda, Derrick, Landon, Nancy and even Spencer are all here, in my apartment.

“What the hell?” I look to Noah, confused. “What’s going on?” Andi hands me a cup of coffee and I inhale the aroma.

“It’s a great day, Maddy.” She says. We sit on the couch. Linda hugs me, appearing happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. Noah and Nancy converse for a minute before he leaves the room.

“So this day is about celebration.” Noah returns and holds a box in his hand.

“For?”

“For us, for new possibilities, a new life. Since we got back together, I wanted our lives to be different, better. We overcame a lot, you and me. We both faced a past of heartache and losses but we also reached the other side, stronger and more determined. Now we can put it all in the past and move on. I want you to move in with me. I want to fall asleep next to you every night, listening to the sound of your breathing, and wake up next to you every morning, bringing you breakfast in bed. And I want to make more brownies with you.” I giggle-cry, unable to stop my tears of happiness. “But most of all,” still holding the box, he lowers to his knees, “I want to make you happy in every way possible. It won’t always be roses and candy, but it’ll be worth it. I wanna give you many firsts in life.”

“What’s in the box?”

“Look inside.” I raise myself from the couch and gasp. “Oh Noah.” Elated and stunned and happy and excited, I grab my face, peering into the box at the most adorable face of a Jack Russell terrier, my favorite dog breed. The puppy whines, not liking being in a box. I reach into, lifting the pup into my arms. I cry as I cuddle the fur ball, my very own first ever puppy, animal, pet and companion.

“I take it you like her?” Noah whispers.

“No, no, no no. I love her. Oh my god, Noah this is…it’s wonderful. I’m so overwhelmed but in the best way possible. Yes, I’ll move in with you. Yes, yes yes. I love you so much. God, you make me so happy.” I kiss him as I’m weeping and my hold on the puppy tightens. She whines, breaking us apart. I kiss her wet nose, so in awe of her. “What should we name her?”

“Faith.”

“Faith.” I repeat, pleased with it, the way it sounds on my lips.

“Yeah, I’ve never lost faith in you. Ever. Me, maybe, but not you. You gave me hope that everything would be okay. I got my faith back because of you…and Lex too. But you opened my eyes, made me see the good in life.” He kisses me, gazing into my eyes.

“Faith it is.”

THE END