“This casserole is delicious,” Zoe said, mouth full of pasta, waving her fork. “You made this, Hannah?”
I nodded, though I’d barely touched my own food. “I did.”
“Ah. Well, you’re a good cook.”
Noah snorted. “It still shocks—” He stopped, noticing my glare, and quickly shoved more pasta in his mouth. I narrowed my eyes and looked away.
Seeing Zoe eat so heartily diminished my already meager appetite. This whole ordeal with Noah and her in the hospital had destroyed my appetite, but now it was even worse. Soon, I gave up entirely, pushing my plate away. To avoid scrutiny, I made tea in the kitchen.
I doubted Noah or Zoe noticed. Noah gave me a strange look when I got up, but was too preoccupied with Zoe, asking if she needed anything every five seconds like a doting husband, to question my lack of eating.
He hadn’t asked me the same questions when I hit my head. My skull still throbbed, a scab forming beneath my hair, but he hadn’t asked about it once. Maybe he’d already forgotten.
Finally, Zoe pushed away her empty plate. “I feel so much better,” she said, hand on her stomach. “Although, all this moving around is making me sore…”
“Here.” I approached her with her pain medication and water. “You should stay ahead of the pain.”
“Thank you.” Zoe took two pills and drank some water. When finished, she stood slowly, gripping the table for support. “I should probably lie down.”
“I’ll take you to bed,” Noah said quickly, grabbing her elbow. He didn’t notice me quickly turn away to hide my grimace.
“Actually,” Zoe said, “I wanted to ask… would you two mind staying tonight? I’m afraid of falling and hurting myself if I need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.”
Before Noah could answer, I blurted, “Of course.” But I was thinking, Noah will likely be more comfortable here. Since he’s so used to sleeping here.
I didn’t say that, of course.
“You two can stay in my guest room,” Zoe said as Noah led her away. “There are towels in the linen closet.”
As they disappeared, their voices fading, I knew I wouldn’t sleep next to Noah. Sighing, I checked my phone—even considering calling an Uber. It wasn’t as if both of us needed to be there.
But my feet were too tired to move. As soon as I sank onto the couch, I felt like I might not be able to get back up.
Chapter 0134 + 25 BONUS
And in fact, with Zoe and Noah gone, my eyes fluttered closed. The scent of the vanilla candle lulled me to sleep, and I began to think I could sleep comfortably on the couch…
But just before drifting off, I was abruptly awakened by a hand on my shoulder. I snapped my eyes open and jerked my head up to see a fresh plate of casserole hovering before me. Noah’s green eyes stared sternly down at me as he thrust the plate closer. “Eat.”