Page 134 of Open To Negotiation

“I told you that if you want to go do something, I’m not stopping you.” I flipped to the next page of my book before it was kicked out of my hands. I looked over at him and the shit eating grin on his face. “Real mature. If the spine is ruined, you owe me a new one.”

“That’s what I’m known for, my maturity. And I’m pretty sure I can afford a new book. Since you don’t want to do anything, how about you talk to me.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked skeptically.

“When are you going to forgive Theo?” Noah’s voice was serious, the same way it had been every time he asked me.

“It’s not that simple.” I tried to push his legs out of my lap but he resisted.

Damn these men and their commitment to their workout routines and unnecessary muscle.

“Yes, it is.” This time he got up and moved to sit on the coffee table in front of me. “I’ve watched my parents be in love for my whole life, their marriage has lasted over thirty years. They fight and then come back together every time.

“It’s not easy, it’s taken work but I’ve gotten to see what true love looks like, every day. I know that I’ve never experienced that, but I know what it looks like and I see it when Theo looks at you.” His words were hitting me in the heart, it was one thing I never got to see myself growing up, unconditional love that stood up to the test of time. “It’s not just him, Q, I see it when you look at him too.

“It’s in all the small things he does, not just his words. He makes adjustments for you, he brings an extra sweater in case you get cold. He moves you to the inside part of the sidewalk and always holds your hand at the table. You lean into him when he’s next to you, when he’s tense you touch his shoulders and they relax. It’s love, Quinn, and it’s real and rare and fucking hard but don’t lose it.

“Fight, because he deserves shit for what he did, and then come back together.”

I didn’t know when I started crying but his words were getting to me.

“I’m scared of getting hurt again,” I whispered as he smiled at me.

“Of course you are, that’s fair. And there is no guarantee, especially because he said he would do this all the same way again. But is the risk of the pain worth not getting to experience that kind of love?”

“Damn it, Noah,” I said as I wiped my eyes, taking a few breaths to pull myself together. My phone ringing saved me from having to reply. “Hey Ash.” I narrowed my eyes when Noah started to smirk.

“I need you to do what I say and not ask questions.” Asher didn’t bother with a hello, he wasn’t great at phone etiquette.

“You know I’m never going to do that again.” I heard him let out an annoyed breath.

“I need you to come home.” I frowned and looked around.

“I am at your place…”

Noah’s smile grew, he seemed to know exactly what was going on.

“No, your home, Theo’s home.”

I bit my lip and started shaking my leg. “Why?”

“I said no questions.” I narrowed my eyes as I heard a voice on the other end of the phone, but I couldn’t make out what was said.

“Asher, the last time you called me and asked me to show up somewhere I was ambushed. Any chance that’s what’s going on now?”

It sounded like he covered the phone, more muttering I couldn’t make out.

“No.” He returned to our conversation, and I let out a laugh. I could picture him turning around to ask what he should do.

“Asher…”

“Quinn.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Put me on speaker.” I did the same since Noah looked like he was ready to jump in.

“Hey Q.” Will sounded sheepish.

“How did you know?” Oli asked.