“But you? How’s the singing gig going?”

If Zoe was disappointed by the shift in topic, she didn’t show it. She launched into an enthusiastic description of her new job, her hands gesturing animatedly. She was close to getting Adam back from her parents, and things were looking up.

As Noah listened, he couldn’t help but think back to the day Hannah had tricked Zoe into going to the coffee shop. It seemed so insignificant now, though it had been a big deal then.

Had he been too harsh with Hannah? She had apologized to Zoe almost immediately. Maybe she hadn’t meant to hurt Zoe…

“Noah?” Zoe’s soft voice broke through his thoughts, and Noah blinked to see that she was looking at him and that he hadn’t touched his whiskey in some time. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem really distracted.”

Noah forced a smile and took a sip of his drink. “Yeah, sorry. Just… a lot on my mind, I guess.”

Zoe nodded sympathetically. “I understand. Listen, if you ever need someone to talk to…” Her voice trailed off as the bartender called her name. “Oh, that’s my cue. I’ve got to get back on stage. It was really good to see you, Noah.”

“You too, Zoe,” Noah said. “Break a leg up there.”

As Zoe walked away, Noah couldn’t help but watch her go. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on fixing things with Hannah, not… whatever this mess was. Zoe was his ex; it was over. Their mate tie had been severed years ago, and he had no intention of rebuilding it.

Just then, a commotion near the door caught Noah’s attention. He looked up to see Drake striding into the bar, his eyes scanning the room like two arrows seeking their targets until they landed on Noah. Drake’s face darkened as he approached, his fists clenched at his sides. “I knew it,” he spat. “I fucking knew it.”

Noah stood up, confused and irritated. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Drake said, gesturing toward the stage where Zoe was headed. “I saw you two together. How could you cheat on Hannah?”

Noah’s temper flared. “You’ve got it all wrong. Nothing is going on between me and Zoe.”

Drake scoffed. “Right. And I suppose you just happened to be at the same bar where she works, looking cozy and intimate?”

“I didn’t even know she worked here,” Noah growled before Zoe could finish. “And what the hell are you doing following me, anyway?”

“Me? I’m protecting Hannah,” Drake shot back. “Someone has to do it, since you’re clearly not up to the task.”

Noah took a step forward, his wolf rising to the surface. Goddess, how he wanted to rip into Drake’s throat right then and there. “You don’t know a damn thing about me and Hannah.”

The two men stood toe-to-toe, the tension crackling between them like electricity. The other patrons in the bar had gone quiet, watching the confrontation warily, and Zoe could only stand nearby, wringing her hands.

But then, suddenly, all three of their phones buzzed simultaneously. Noah pulled his out, seeing a group text from Hannah. His heart raced as he opened it to see one word on the screen:

“WATERFALL!”