The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

By the time I push my front door open, I’m ready to collapse face–first onto the nearest flat surface. My whole body feels wrung out, like I’ve just run a marathon I didn’t sign up for. My feet drag against the wooden floor, and I already imagine curling under my blanket with Blackle.

But when I look up, there’s light spilling from the kitchen. My brows knit together. I don’t remember leaving the lights on.

I pad quietly toward it, bag hanging off my shoulder, ready to grab something heavy if it’s an intruder–though honestly, at this point, they’d have to stab me to keep me from falling asleep.

Except it’s not an intruder.

It’s Lilly.

She’s standing in the middle of my kitchen barefoot, wearing the tiniest pajama shorts and one of those oversized T–shirts she always buys, since she thinks they’re more comfortable to sleep in. I can’t disagree on that.

She’s humming something under her breath while making what seems to be instant noodles. Blackie is sprawled out beside her on the counter, tail flicking lazily, perfectly content.

Funny thing is, Blackie is very comfortable with anyone she knows, but she does hate strangers. She’ll hiss and bare her teeth like a tiny little guard dog whenever someone unfamiliar steps into my house. While others have very social and friendly cats, I have the opposite… but I love her anyway.

I blink. “Lilly?”

She looks over her shoulder with that sly smile of hers. “About time you showed up. I was starting to think I’d have to eat this whole loaf by myself.”

Blackie meows in agreement, traitor that he is.

I shake my head, setting my bag down before picking her up. She curls instantly against my chest, purring like I abandoned her for weeks instead of hours. “You could’ve texted, you know.”

“And ruin the surprise?” She hops onto the counter, cross–legged, with a bowl. “Not my style.”

My lips twitch, but exhaustion wins out. I rub Blackie’s ears and sigh.

Lilly has a key to my house, just like I’m keyed into the security system at her penthouse. We decided on that the moment we got our own places. That way it’ll be easier for us to drop in on each other.

“Are you hungry?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No. You know Aunt Ava; she makes sure you don’t leave her house on an empty stomach. I’m completely full.” I gesture to my bag. “Actually, she gave me dessert since I couldn’t stay.”

That piques Lilly’s interest immediately. She leans forward like a cat who’s just spotted prey. “Dessert? What kind?”

“Panna cotta. With berries.” I pull the container out and place it on the counter.

Her grin widens and she immediately puts her bowl down.

“God bless that woman. She really is the best.” She slides off the counter, rummages through my drawer for spoons, and hands me one. “Come on, share with your favorite person in the world.”

1/2

“Are you sure you’re my favorite person?,” I tease, but I take the spoon anyway.

“Of course… who else would it be? Noah?”

We both explode into laughter at the sarcastle question. Yeali, Noah is the last person I would give that tille to Hot after all the pain he’s caused me. p

Honestly, it’s funny how he is one of my least favorite people. Loving him never erased the pain he put me through… so as much as I loved him, I also hated him in equal measure.

We settle at the counter, Blackle still warm in my lap, while we dig into the panna cotta. It’s creamy, light, and perfectly balanced with the tartness of the berries. Comfort in edible form.

For a moment, I almost forget the night. Almost,

Then Lilly speaks, “I came because I was worried.”

I glance at her, spoon halfway to my mouth. “Worried?”

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