“Oh, I don’t think it can be better than what Elizabeth and I came up with,” Rubin warned.

Imani gave him a level look. “Twenty bucks.”

Rubin offered his hand. “I’ll take that bet, and I’ll be taking your money.”

“Please! You’re comparing the creativity of dancers to drycleaners?” Imani snorted.

Noah thought about reminding them that they didn’t even know if the annual window painting contest was on and decided he didn’t have the energy. Imani and Rubin left, too busy trash talking to say goodbye.

Noah took the moment of peace to put his head down on his desk. He had nearly twenty seconds of time to lament his beverage choices from the night before when another knock sounded.

A sallow-looking Paige winced at the decibel of her knuckles on wood. She cleared her throat. “Got a minute?”

Noah gestured toward his visitor’s chair. His eyelids went from half-mast to wide open when Cat slunk in. She was wearing oversized sunglasses and a hat as if hiding from the paparazzi. He wanted those glasses off. Wanted to know if she was looking at him, thinking about last night. One night, one—well, several—kisses, and he was already looking at her differently. He knew what the satin skin of her stomach felt like under his hands. Knew how she tasted. Knew the weight of her breasts as they filled his palms.

And now he was nauseated and hard.

Paige and Cat wearily took their seats, and Paige produced three sports drinks and a bottle of ibuprofen from her bag. With gratitude, Noah pounced on the tablets she doled out and knocked them back with a swig of hot pink liquid.

“Ungh,” Cat groaned, following suit. She pulled off her glasses and rubbed her slim hands over her face. Those gray-green eyes had enough red around them to make Noah wince. “Yeah? Well, you’re not looking so hot this morning either,” Cat grumbled.

Paige held up a hand. “Hang on. Before we head back down Scream at Each Other Lane, I’d like to broker a truce.”

Cat met Noah’s gaze. There was a lot being said by those bloodshot eyes. They had more complicated problems now than just intensely disliking each other.

“What would this truce look like?” Noah asked diplomatically.

“Frankly, I’d love to say that we can just allow you two to avoid each other. But we all know that’s not a possibility. There’s too much work to be done, and Noah, we need you on our side. I hope you can believe that we’re not here to exploit anyone. And if you and Cat can agree to be civil to each other, I think we’ll all be better off.”

“Agreed,” Cat said, catching Paige and Noah off guard. “What?”

“I agree, as well,” Noah announced. Cat arched an eyebrow at him and studied his face.