I haven’t felt this way since Sarah. I didn’t think I could. And you’re right. The timing is awful and the circumstances are a disaster. And there are about 50 reasons this won’t work. But I’m falling, too, and it scares the hell out of me. Victoria moved closer, and Noah stopped thinking entirely. She kissed him, soft and uncertain, and he kissed her back, feeling like he was standing on the edge of something vast and dangerous and worth it.
When they pulled apart, Victoria was smiling. That was Yeah, we should probably talk about Yeah. They sat there, foreheads touching, breathing the same air. Noah’s phone buzzed. Tessa, Emma’s asleep. All good here. Stay out as long as you want. I should get back anyway. Noah said early morning tomorrow. Emma has soccer.
Soccer every Saturday. She’s terrible at it, but she loves it. Victoria pulled back slightly. Can I come to soccer? Is that weird? I want to meet her properly, not just hear about her. Noah’s heart did something complicated. You want to meet my six-year-old daughter at her soccer game? if that’s okay. If it’s not too fast or too much, it’s terrifying, but yeah. Yeah, you can come.
They made plans for the morning. 9:00 a.m. The wreck fields on the west side. Victoria kissed him again before getting in her car, and Noah drove home, feeling like reality had shifted sideways. Tessa was on the couch when he got back. She took one look at his face and grinned. That good, Tessa? I think I’m in serious trouble. The good kind? I have no idea.
After she left, Noah checked on Emma, fast asleep, her triceratops clutched under one arm. He stood in her doorway for a long time, thinking about tomorrow, about Victoria meeting his daughter, about all the ways this could go wrong. His phone buzzed. Victoria, thank you for tonight, for the park, for being honest, for making me believe this might actually work. Noah typed back.
Thank you for the same. See you tomorrow. Fair warning, six-year-old soccer is chaos. I can handle chaos. Sleep well, Noah. You, too. He got ready for bed, but sleep felt impossible. His mind raced with everything Victoria had said, the investigation. Richard’s inevitable retaliation, the fact that she was falling for him, that she’d said it out loud, that he’d said it back.
Around 2:00 a.m., his phone rang. Victoria, sorry, she said when he answered. I know it’s late. I couldn’t sleep. Me neither. I keep thinking about Monday, about what happens when this all starts. Having second thoughts? No, just scared for you. For what this might do to you? Noah sat up in bed. Victoria, listen to me.
I’ve spent four years being scared. Scared of losing my job. Scared of rocking the boat. Scared of not being enough for Emma. I’m done being scared. Whatever happens Monday, we deal with it together. Together. He could hear her breathing on the other end of the line. Noah, what we talked about tonight about falling for each other. I meant it.
But I need you to know I’m not good at this. At relationships, at letting people in. I’m going to mess up. I’m going to pull away when things get hard because that’s what I do. Then I’ll pull you back. What if you can’t? What if I can? Victoria laughed softly. You’re very stubborn. Pot meet kettle. Fair point. A pause. I’m really coming to soccer tomorrow.
If you want to. I want to. I’m just nervous. What if Emma doesn’t like me? Emma likes everyone. But Victoria, you don’t have to impress her. Just be yourself. What if myself isn’t very good with kids? Then you’ll figure it out together. That’s kind of the theme here. I’m really glad I didn’t bail on that blind date. Me, too.
They talked for another hour about nothing and everything, about Emma’s dinosaur obsession and Victoria’s terrible college roommate and the completely mundane details of their lives. When they finally hung up, the sun was starting to rise. Noah got maybe an hour of sleep before Emma bounded into his room, already in her soccer uniform, demanding breakfast. Big day, daddy.
We’re playing the Tigers and they’re really good, but coach says we can win if we try hard. Noah made pancakes, managed to get syrup only on the table and not the floor, helped Emma find her cleats. At 8:30, his phone rang. Marcus, please tell me you didn’t do something stupid last night. Define stupid.
Noah, I invited her to Emma’s soccer game. Silence. Then you what? She wanted to meet Emma. I said yes. You introduced your daughter to a woman you’ve known for a week. Not yet. That’s happening in 30 minutes. Are you insane? What if this doesn’t work out? What if Emma Emma gets attached? And then Marcus, I know the risks, but I can’t live my life in whatifs anymore.
I like her. She likes me. Emma’s going to meet her eventually if this is real. Might as well be now. Marcus sighed. You’re completely gone for this woman, aren’t you? Completely. Then I hope she’s worth it for both your sakes. At the soccer fields, Emma ran off to join her team. Noah stood on the sidelines with the other parents, checking his phone every 30 seconds.
At 9 exactly, Victoria’s car pulled into the parking lot. She got out looking nervous, dressed in jeans and a light sweater. Not CEO Victoria, just Victoria. She spotted Noah and walked over. Hi. Hi. I brought coffee. I didn’t know if you’d had any yet. She handed him a cup. Also, I’m terrified. Don’t be. She’s going to love you.
