ut you? Howâs the singing gig going?â
If Zoe was disappointed by the change in topic, she didnât show it. She launched into an enthusiastic description of her new job, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. She was close to getting Adam back from her parents, and things were looking up.
As Noah listened, he couldnât help but think back to that day that Hannah had tricked Zoe into going to the coffee shop. It seemed so insignificant now, although it had been a big deal then.
Had he been too harsh with Hannah? She had apologized to Zoe almost immediately. Maybe she really didnât mean to hurt Zoe...
âNoah?â Zoeâs soft voice broke through his thoughts, and Noah blinked to see that she was looking at him and that he hadnât touched his whiskey in some time. âAre you sure youâre okay? You seem really distracted.â
Noah forced a smile and took a sip of his drink. âYeah, sorry. Just... a lot on my mind, I guess.â
Zoe nodded sympathetically. âI understand. Listen, if you ever need someone to talk to...â Her voice trailed off as the bartender called her name. âOh, thatâs my cue. Iâve got to get back on stage. It was really good to see you, Noah.â
âYou too, Zoe,â Noah said. âBreak a leg up there.â
As Zoe walked away, Noah couldnât help but watch her go. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on fixing things with Hannah, not... whatever this mess was. Zoe was his ex; it was over. Their mate tie had been severed years ago, and he had no intention of rebuilding it.
Just then, a commotion near the door caught Noahâs attention. He looked up to see Drake striding into the bar, his eyes scanning the room like two arrows seeking their targets until they landed on Noah.
Drakeâs face darkened as he approached, his fists clenched at his sides. âI knew it,â he spat. âI fucking knew it.â
Noah stood up, confused and irritated. âWhat are you talking about?â
âDonât play dumb,â Drake said, gesturing toward the stage where Zoe was headed. âI saw you two together. How could you cheat on Hannah?â
Noahâs temper flared. âYouâve got it all wrong. Nothing is going on between me and Zoe.â
1/2 Chapter 0229 +25 BONUS Drake scoffed. âRight. And I suppose you just happened to be at the same bar where she works, looking cozy and intimate?â
âDrake,â Zoe said slowly, coming back down from the stage, âwhat are you-
âI didnât even know she worked here,â Noah growled before Zoe could finish. âAnd what the hell are you doing following me, anyway?â
âMe? Iâm protecting Hannah,â Drake shot back. âSomeone has to do it, since youâre clearly not up to the task.â
Noah took a step forward, his wolf rising to the surface. Goddess, how he wanted to rip into Drakeâs throat right then and there.
âYou donât know a damn thing about me and Hannah.â
The two men stood toe to toe now, the tension crackling between them like electricity. The other patrons in the bar had gone quiet, watching the confrontation warily, and Zoe could only stand nearby with her hands wringing.
But then, suddenly, all three of their phones buzzed simultaneously. Noah pulled his out, seeing a group text from Hannah.
His heart raced as he opened it to see one word on the screen:
âWATERFALL!â
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