Chapter 58: Madison

The memory of our dinner together the other night, the charged glances exchanged over dimly lit plates, lingered in my mind. And later, at my door, the air had been thick with unspoken words and a tension that was almost palpable. 

I knew, deep down, that he may never be mine again—yet I couldn’t quell the need to be seen by him, to be wanted in return.

As I descended the stairs, Noah’s gaze found me, lingering just a moment too long. A surge of warmth flooded through me, a silent answer to my unvoiced question, and I couldn’t help but smile, a mix of triumph and trepidation dancing in my heart.

We drove to Noah’s private country club, the car filled with Chris’s excited chatter. The club was grand, with its sprawling lawns and elegant buildings that spoke of quiet luxury. Inside, the indoor pool area was a haven of blue and white, the water’s surface still, steaming, and inviting.