Chapter 160: Reconnect

NOAH

I shook off that vague worry now, though, as Deacon and Emma climbed the porch steps. Emma's expression was guarded as she approached me, and I noticed that Deacon kept his hand on her back. They both stopped a few feet short of me.

Emma cleared her throat. "Hello, Noah. You look-good." Her eyes roved down me, and one of her brows rose. "I didn't realize this was the kind of party where people could go shirtless."

I tossed back my last swallow of whiskey. "Em. You look good, too." I smirked. "You should know that in my mind, topless is always an option when it comes to you." Ignoring her small gasp of outrage, I shifted my gaze upwards a little. "Deacon. Glad you could both be here today. Gotta wonder who's saving the world at St. Agnes while you're gone, though."

I'd meant the words to be a light jest, just a little tease, the way we always joked around. But I could see from the way Emma's eyes flared that she wasn't taking it that way.

"I'm happy you're feeling better, N