Jonathan chuckled wryly, "And you're still going for it?"
"Absolutely!" Norah retorted stubbornly.
Jonathan fell silent for a moment before asking, "Do you blame Estelle?"
After all, Xavier's rejection of Norah surely took Estelle into account.
Norah shook her head immediately, "Of course not. I'm not that unreasonable. Sure, I have a crush on Xavier, but Estelle is just as important to me as a friend. Plus, she's my aunt-in-law!"
Jonathan nodded, "Good that you know it."
Norah pleaded, "Jonathan, I'm an adult. I've finished grad school; I know what I'm doing. My feelings for Xavier might’ve started out of curiosity, but they're not just a novelty anymore. I'm certain about them."
"But Xavier doesn't like you that way!" Jonathan said bluntly.
Norah's face fell, "Jonathan, that's a bit harsh."
"Truth hurts!" Jonathan retorted.
Norah fell silent, knowing all too well how sharp Jonathan's tongue could be. It was still difficult to handle when on the receiving end.
She confessed, "Xavier used to avoid me, but now we've come to an understanding. He won't stop me from coming to the restaurant, and I'll follow the rules, just friends for now."
Jonathan scoffed, "Taking care of him upstairs is hardly 'just friends' behavior."
Norah disagreed, "Estelle's here too; she looks after Xavier as well, probably more than I do."
Jonathan's expression darkened.
Not wanting to provoke Jonathan further, Norah quickly explained, "Estelle's genuine with friends, but she only treats you differently.
"Jonathan!" Norah looked at him with puppy dog eyes.
He thought for a moment, and then spoke gently, "I can pretend I don't know anything. But you need to be careful, especially before you're sure about Xavier's feelings. Don't be too forward, got it?"
He trusted Xavier's character; after all, the guy was Estelle's comrade-in-arms. But he worried Norah might act impulsively, which led to her doing something silly.
"Got it!" Norah chirped immediately.
Then she hesitated, "If, and I'm just saying if, Xavier and I get together, and my folks or grandparents object, you have to back me up, Jonathan!"
Jonathan snorted, "You should be more worried about whether Xavier will agree."
Norah brimmed with confidence, "Estelle landed you; I'm sure I can do the same!"
Jonathan wanted to point out that it wasn't the same thing at all, but before he could get a word in, Zachary approached with his easygoing voice, "Hey Norah, the food is ready. I'll bring it up for you."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Someone needs to send a new picture of Trevor to Oliver and Luke so that they will get their requested reports to Gonzalez asap. If they didn't know, now they know what awaits them if they continue to disrespect and NOT follow orders....
Well, well, well. I love how Gonzalez sent out the warning that he's the CEO and either they will acknowledge him as such or get their due diligence. I'm waiting to see how the Franco family will be walking on eggs and come into a new understanding of Gonzalez taking charge. Thank you so much for the five updates....
Adrian is hoping that he has a chance with Norah and will do everything and anything in his power to keep Norah and Xavier apart....
Thank you for the updates. I hope that Norah will remember Xavier and their relationship before the accident and that they will ever be to....
Thank you, thank you for the updates today, which is also my birthday. The saga continues. I really want Norah and Xavier to be together... but he has to want Norah....
May we have updates please. Thank you....
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....