Page 78 of Love Spell

Noah looked away first, panting.

“Noah?”Timo finally lowered his voice.“Why don’t you want people to know we’re engaged?”

Another pause, Noah’s mind racing, before he said, “I should go.”

He snatched up the toiletry bag and rushed for the bedroom to stuff his last things into his rolling bag, the backpack ready on the bed.He shouldered the pack, only to run into Timo blocking him at the bedroom doorway.

“Why?”Timo asked again, glaring at Noah, his voice forceful but not raised.“What did I do?It’s not just about this morning.Have you never been comfortable with me?No matter what, I can’t win?I don’t have to be your boss anymore.If you want out of the prop shop, that’s fine.In fact, we don’t have any choice but for you not to work in Britain at first.”

“No.”Noah focused on the doorframe.

“Do you think I’m too old for you?Because I get that there’s an age difference but I don’t see why it has to be a big deal.”

“No.Get out of my way,” Noah said softly, intent on every syllable.

To his surprise, Timo stepped aside.

Noah rolled his bag over the hardwood for the front door, Timo with him.

“Then what did I do?”Timo asked.“Are you embarrassed by me?Are you taking something out on me?Why don’t you want people to know I love you and want to marry you?”

“It’s not you.”Noah dropped his key and fob on the entry table.

“Then what is it?”Timo caught his arm.“Noah, tell me why you don’t want people to know we’re engaged.I don’t feel like that’s too much to ask.”

Noah wrenched his arm away.“I have t-t-to go.”

“No, talk to me!”Again, Timo stepped into the door in his way.“Just tell me why.”

“I’m not a prisoner here!”Noah yanked at the door, which hit Timo.

“What is it?Is it about your family?About your mom and how she was treated?”

Noah stopped, face downturned, jaw working, chest feeling stepped on by an elephant.

“They’re not here.You don’t ever have to go back there.They don’t have to be involved.And if you want them to, I’ll be with you.”

Noah’s knuckles were white on the door handle, the cold metal painful with the force of his grip.His other hand clutched the handle of his rolling bag with equal force, as if dragging a tree.Still, he couldn’t entirely keep them from trembling.

Just go.Just go and get to a hotel and sort things out.Sort what out?Going home?You have no home.

Noah shook his head.“It’s not them.I lied about that, about my family being the reason I’m not out.”

“And the reason you’re not out is also the reason you don’t want anyone to know you’re engaged?”Timo was almost touching him, right in his face but maintaining a gap.“Engaged to a man?”

Noah gulped, still looking at Timo’s shoes, and nodded.

“Tell me.”

“No.”

“Come back, sit down, and tell me.”

Blinking fast, Noah pulled at the door but Timo didn’t move.

“Please.”Timo started to lift a hand but again refrained from touching Noah.“Tell me what’s really happening.Then, if you still want to go, go.But please tell me.”

“I’ve never told anyone,” Noah whispered.