She listened carefully, taking in the nuances and the implications and treating them all with the same kind of deference. If life and motherhood had taught her anything, it was patience. She listened as Noah backed away from her, taking with him his prior openness and willingness to help her. It was his prerogative.
Her eyes on her salad, she swallowed thickly, past the lump of unease in her throat. Even as her face flushed slightly, her gestures remained calm and measured. Even as her breaths came a little faster, the rest of her struggled to understand. It was what he'd reproached her with, after all.
Setting her cutlery aside, she moved to take a sip of her water and made a point to avoid his eyes. He could have the last word.