Chapter 173: Lunch

NOAH

"Thanks for meeting me today, Juliet." I stood up as she approached my table in the quiet little restaurant. "I appreciate it."

She stepped just close enough for me to take her hand and offered me her cheek. "Well, I always enjoy a good grovel. And the chicken salad in this place is to die for."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I held her chair and then took my own seat. "I know it's one of your favorite places for lunch."

"Yes, it is. Convenient to both the stadium and my house." Unfolding her napkin and smoothing it over her lap, she looked up at me expectantly. "All right. The small talk is over. The groveling can begin right now."

I took a moment to sip my ice water. "I'm not here to apologize or-as you say-to grovel. I don't feel as though I have anything to be sorry for. I think I was perfectly within my rights in being angry last week when I found out you'd been lying to me-and lying to Alison, too."