But hedidseem to get more attention when he wore blue, as evidenced by the look Julia had given him in the hallway that afternoon, and the awkward rejection he’d just delivered to Darcy.
His phone vibrated as he left the office a little after five, and he fished it out of his pocket.
“Hey,” he greeted.
Graham, his friend since college, got straight to the point. “You up for a kick-ass climbing trip next month?”
Noah reined in the flurry of adrenaline and told himself not to get too excited. “Where?”
“Why is that always your first question?” Graham asked. “You know I only plan trips to the best places. I do my research.”
“I know.” But it was the thing that mattered most. Noah unlocked his car and sat down. “So, where?”
“Washingt—”
“No.” He started his car, and the audio automatically switched to his speakers.
“Come on, man!” Graham’s voice was three times louder, and Noah quickly dialed down the volume. “It’s Index. A hidden gem of climbing glory, and May’s the perfect time to go. I’ve got two other guys who are in.”
The desire to say yes—to climb the magic land of granite that was Index, Washington—pulled hard on his willpower. He was careful to keep his voice steady and firm. “That sounds incredible. You can tell me all about it when you get back.”
A heavy sigh echoed through the car.
Noah said nothing.
Finally, Graham said, “Can I say one thing?”
“Whatever it is, it won’t change my mind.”
“Nathan always wanted to climb Index.”
Noah paused before pulling out of the parking lot and rubbed a hand across his forehead. “I know,” he said quietly. “It’s still a no.”
“So you’re just gonna climb in Colorado for the rest of your life? That’s it?”
Noah shook his head, even though Graham couldn’t see him. “Not for the rest of my life.” He paused. “At least I don’t think so. But for now? Yes, that’s how it is.”
Graham grunted. “Fine. We still on for tomorrow night?”
That was one thing Noah appreciated about his friend. He was easygoing, didn’t hold grudges, and could move on to another subject in a heartbeat. Noah and Graham in particular knew how to dance around difficult conversations, and smoothly maneuver topics that could cause pain and regret.
Graham was the only other person who’d been there the night Nathan died, yet they never spoke of it. The fact that he said Noah’s brother’s name at all during this call was a step further than usual.
“Yep.”
“Great. Let me know if you change your mind, okay?”
“I will,” Noah said.
But he knew he wouldn’t.
“So, was I right about the blue shirt?”
Noah scowled at the coffee table centered in his living room—currently covered in chicken wings and carrot sticks—and didn’t respond.
Mia grinned and nudged his shoulder with hers. They sat beside each other on his couch, eating wings and watchingThe Bachelorette. He thought the show was beyond ridiculous, but Mia loved it. “I knew it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered, reaching for another wing. If he didn’t covet the look in Mia’s eyes when he wore blue, he’d throw out the damn shirt tomorrow.