Page 33 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

THIRTY-THREE

Luna

“You’re still blushing,” Abby says as she turns off her car.

“Can we pretend it didn’t happen?” I ask, my blush deepening.

“We aren’t going to judge you. You should be proud,” she says.

“Ugh, I know. I don’t know why I’m so embarrassed,” I tell her as I open the door and hop out.

“I think it’s normal that you feel embarrassed. You feel like you were caught doing something wrong based on what you learned as a kid. You’re exploring your sexual side, and it isn’t a clear-cut path.” She rounds the front of the car and hits the lock button twice.

“I’m just glad it was you and not Jess who caught us.” I chuckle.

“I mean, I’m no parent, but she is ten, right? Probably should think about talking to her about it soon. My parents started talking to me about it when I started my period, so about eleven.” She shrugs, and I freeze.

When do I have to talk to her about that? Does she even know about that?

“Hey, you okay? I didn’t mean to freak you out,” she says, coming back to me.

“I’m okay. I mean, I will be. I just didn’t think about that part of parenting, I guess.” I shake it off, and we go inside and find our booth.

We don’t have to wait long before Am and Pam walk through the door with matching smiles. “Hey, ladies! I hope we didn’t keep you waiting. Luke dropped us off because my Jeep is in the shop to get a new speed sensor, and Pam wants to drink.”

“No big deal. Luna and I were just talking about how sometimes one of your best friends walks into the house you’re staying at and finds you and your boyfriend walking out of the pantry after having a quickie.”

My face flames again, and I cover it with my hands. “I thought you wouldn’t say anything!” I sigh into my hands.

“Tell me more,” Pam says, leaning toward me.

“Wait, I think we need beverages for this. I was just about to go place our order when y’all walked in,” Abby says as she scoots out of the booth.

Abby walks away, and I turn back to the table. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Oh, this is a very big deal. I mean, I know you guys did the sideways tango. That was the whole reason I took Jess for the day. But this is a whole different level. I feel oddly like a proud parent.” Am practically preens.

“I do too. Like our little Luna is ready to leave the nest,” Pam adds.

Thankfully, Abby is back quickly with our drinks—Am with her usual Coke, no ice; Abby and Pam have a beer; and me, with a vodka cranberry.

“I’m telling you, ladies, the look on Noah’s face was pure pride that they were caught,” Abby says as she sits down.

I can’t help but laugh at that because she’s right.

“He was pretty smug with himself,” I admit. “I’m not ashamed. I just have this war in my head that we were caught doing something bad, but it wasn’t bad?.?.?.”

In The Family, this was never a topic that would be talked about at any point.

“But was your first time everything you hoped it would be? I don’t regret mine, but I know some do,” Am says.

“I regret the first person I had sex with.” Abby lifts her beer and takes a drink.

Pam just shrugs. “I wish I would have waited for someone else.”

I don’t even hesitate. “No, it was perfect. He was amazing, and at no point did I feel like I couldn’t say no if I wanted to stop.”

“I knew he would be good to you. That man has it bad.” Pam smirks.

I smile because I have it bad too.

“Okay, so other than Luna finally losing her V card, what else is new? Anything?” Am asks, thankfully changing the subject.

“I’m finalizing the purchase of the diner this week. Ken and I are publicly announcing it as soon as it’s done,” Abby says, a wide smile splitting her face.

“I’m so happy for you!” I tell her and give her a side hug.

“I’ll cheers to that! Way to go, Abs! The diner is going to be in great hands.” Am brings her drink to the center of the table.

“I’ll second that.” Pam clinks her glass against Amelia’s Coke.

“Thanks, ladies. I think I’ll do a slight rebrand. Nothing huge, but locals will notice a difference. I want to do some updates to the interior and the menu. Not change everything, I just want my stamp on it,” Abby admits.

“I think that’s a great idea, and I don’t think anyone will give you a hard time. It’s not like you’re bulldozing the building down,” Am says.

“I think, for the most part, people will be okay, but there are always those few who aren’t.” Pam rolls her eyes. “And those aren’t the people you want around you anyway.”

“Hear! Hear!” Abby lifts her glass. “Luna, when is the FBI guy coming down to talk to you and Noah?”

I swirl my straw in my drink as I try to find my words. “Sooner than I would like. In like the next weekish.”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Am reaches across and squeezes my hand. “You won’t be alone. We’re going to be with you every step of the way if we’re allowed to be there.”

“It’s just not something I want to talk about with someone I don’t know. I’m glad Jess won’t be there because I don’t know what questions they’ll ask. What if the FBI coming brings attention to us and The Family finds us?” I admit the fears that have been plaguing me.

“Find you? I thought they were in Utah?” Pam asks.

I shake my head. “Noah found out from Special Agent Hunt that they left. Which shocked me because I never thought they would leave.”

“Wait, wait, wait. So this whole cult just packed up and left?” Am asks incredulously.

“Yup, and I haven’t heard from my friend Aspen in months. So I’m worried.” I bite my lip.

“We got your back and Jess’s. I’m sure you’ll hear from your friend soon. You know the mail sometimes takes forever here. What I do know is that no one is going to get to you guys. Not only will they have to get through us, but the whole town,” Abby says.

“Do you want any of us there with you when you have to talk to them?” Pam leans forward, resting her elbows on the table.

“I think Sam is going to watch Jess if he can take off.” I spin my glass between my fingers.

“I can keep her at the diner if you need me to. I’m sure I can find something school-related to help teach her,” Abby says.

“And you know she’s always welcome at the farm with me,” Am adds.

“I have some PTO, so if you need me there with you or if you need me to watch Jess, you let me know which one works for you.” Pam dips her chin in a quick nod before taking a pull from her beer.

“Thanks, ladies. I don’t think I could do this without you,” I tell them because I couldn’t.

These women came into my life when I didn’t realize how much I needed them and bulldozed their way into my heart, and I love them like a real family.

“Okay, that’s enough heavy shit. Let’s get drunk. Well, Am, you just keep drinking your Coke. We’ll get drunk for you.” Pam slaps the table, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest.

“I’ll get this round,” I say and go to stand.

As I do, my phone vibrates. I pull it out and see a text as I walk up to The Bar.

Noah: I hope you’re having fun with the girls. But I can’t wait for you to come home so we can finish what we started ;)

My blush creeps up my neck, and my heart rate spikes.

“Looks like that was a damn good text to give you a smile like that,” Sarah, the owner of The Bar, says. “You ladies ready for another round?”

“Oh, it was something alright.” If she only knew. “And yeah, we’ll take another round.”

Me: We’re having a great timeI hope you’re having a good night with the guys and Jess

Noah: The best time, but not as much fun as watching you come apart for me.

Me: Okay, I’m putting my phone away.

Noah: lol Okay. Text me when you guys are ready to go, and I’ll wrangle the guys up to gather everyone since I heard Am’s Jeep is in the shop.

Me: Thanks, Noah.

Noah: Anything for you, my Lunabella

“Here ya go!” Sarah places the last of our drinks in front of us. “Do you need help carrying the tray back to the table?”

“No, I think I got it. Thankfully, it’s early enough that it isn’t packed yet. Thanks!” I slip her enough money to cover the round plus a tip.

“Let me know if you ladies need anything,” she says as she starts to walk away.

When I get back to the table and pass the drinks out, Pam says, “Here’s to another great girls’ night.”

“Cheers!” we say in unison.

And it proved to be exactly the relaxing night out we all needed.