Page 11 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)
ELEVEN
Luna
Walking into one of the cabins to start the beginning-of-summer deep clean, I think about the last couple of weeks since Jess has arrived. My stress level hasn’t gone down, and I’m fighting the urge to pack Jess up and leave.
Even with all the stress, it’s been some of the best weeks of my life that I can remember. Noah has been patient and welcoming, and Jess seems to be doing okay with the transition so far.
While I trusted the school professionals, I wasn’t sure how she would do with going to her summer school tutoring lessons at the actual school, but she seems to be settling in well. She’s exhausted every day, but everyone tells me that’s normal.
As I walk back to my cart with all my cleaning supplies, my phone vibrates, and I smile, thinking it might be Noah.
Seeing that it’s the girls’ group chat makes me smile wider because I love these girls. Even though sometimes I just smile and nod when they talk about things I don’t understand.
Amelia: Any updates on your relationship with Noah?
Pam: How is my niece? Is tutoring still going okay?
Abby: What they asked.
Me: Updates on what? I haven’t gotten over my embarrassment when I asked him to kiss me a couple weeks ago.
Amelia: That’s an update?.?.?. I was hoping for a “we’re going on a date” kind of update, but?.?.?.
Abby: Probably something sweet like “I can’t do that with Jess around.”
Pam: Please tell me that he’s kissed you?.?.?.
Me: Yeah, on my head.Maybe he just wants to be friends, and he doesn’t like me and is just helping me out?
Abby: Oh, he likes you, alright. Carter told me you’re the first person he’s shown interest in since his ex left him.
Pam: The man moved you into his house and volunteered to be an emergency foster for your sister. He likes you. Wait, his ex?
Amelia: Agreed. I think he is trying to go slow.Also, what Pam said?.?.?. his ex?
Me: I just don’t understand this. Why don’t people just say what they think and feel? Why is there so much guesswork?Do you think he still likes his ex?
Abby: Absolutely not. The story isn’t mine to tell, but I promise, he wants nothing to do with his ex.
Amelia: Yeah, he doesn’t come off as the I-miss-my-ex type.
Pam: I have a plan. What if one of us watches Jess, and you can have a day with just Noah?
Amelia: Normally I’m nervous when Pam says I have a plan, but that’s a pretty good plan.
Pam: All my plans are good. Look at you, stupid in love because of my plan.
Abby: She is right?.?.?.
Amelia: Whatever. I hope you all feel my eye roll.
Me: Do you think Jess will think we don’t want her around if we do this?
Abby: No, it’ll be fun. It’ll be good for her. But you have to present it right.
Me: Okay, Pam?.?.?. What’s your plan?
Pam: Leave it to me. I’ll make it happen.
Me: Um okay?.?.?. I have to go back to cleaning. We have a check-in later today, and I want to get ahead as much as possible.
They all say bye, and my chest tightens as I think about my relationship with Noah changing. He can do so much better than me. A runaway with no formal education, no identification, and a ten-year-old sister who is now my main responsibility.
He could have anyone.
What if we have to leave?
My stomach drops just thinking about leaving Griffin’s Den. But I’ll do whatever I have to keep Jess and this town safe because going back to The Family is not an option at this point.
Shaking those thoughts from my head, I go back to cleaning and focus on the things I can control because that’s all I can do right this moment. It isn’t much. But it’s something.