Chapter 196

Then he asked, "What did Noah want with you?" "He confessed to me." "What?" James looked up, stunned. "Did you say yes?" "Of course not. I don't even like him." James felt a wave of relief wash over him, a grin creeping up on his face—one rival down. When the elevator stopped at Maria’s floor, she hobbled out with her crutch, still clumsy from using it for the first time. Her steps were all over the place like she might topple any second. James quickly followed to steady her. "Let me help you to your door." The familiar scent of fresh grass and leaves lingered in the air. For some reason, it calmed her down the moment she breathed it in. "Let Grace help you out these next few days. I’ll send her a thank-you red packet. You focus on resting. Ella would be worried otherwise." "Got it." "I'm just upstairs. My phone’s always on. Call me if anything happens." "Didn’t you say to let Grace do the running around?" Maria chuckled. "She’s still just a kid, small frame, can’t handle much." James