Page 43 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

FORTY-TWO

Luna

With a sigh, I tap my fingers on the counter as I study Jess’s supply list for school. I’m going to have to ask Ann if I can pick up a couple more shifts because Jess will also need clothes.

I never realized how expensive school was, not to mention how expensive clothes are, but school will be good for her. Being around people outside of The Family is already doing good things for her. Slowly, I’m starting to see her act like a kid, something we couldn’t do back home.

We were forced to grow up too fast.

There was always something to do, whether it was tending to the animals, working in the gardens, cooking, cleaning, or helping care for the younger children.

I look over my shoulder as I hear tires on the gravel driveway, and my heart flutters as my smile grows, knowing that Noah is home.

I need to talk to him and let him know where I want to contribute more, like the girls said, but I’m afraid I’m going to ruin what we have. I know he’s going to take a look at this list and just start buying some things online before I can, but I want him to realize I can help.

I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and I can take care of Jess. I hate that I feel like one day, he’ll think I’m using him when I’m not.

I need to just have this conversation with him. It won’t be that hard.

Will he tell us to leave for even bringing this up? I shake my head. No, he won’t do that. Noah is the best person I know. He’s patient and understanding, but still, I’m nervous about how he’ll take it.

“Hey, baby, how was your day?” he asks after coming inside, bending over to take his shoes off and setting them next to the door.

“Good, we’re starting to get the Halloween bookings at the bed-and-breakfast, so it was a busy one. How about you?”

He stows his gun and Taser in the wall safe before walking back toward me.

“It was slow. We’ve been trying to find the squatters since we found more evidence of them around town, and we’ve been investigating vandalized buildings, but I can’t help but feel like we’re missing something.

” He drops a kiss to the top of my head.

“What are you looking at?” he asks as he puts his walkie on the charger.

“Just thinking and looking over the list of school supplies I have to get Jess.”

I discreetly check him out while his back is to me. I never thought I would be drawn to a man in a uniform, but he makes it look so good. As I get to his face, I realize he’s looking over his shoulder at me. My cheeks heat, knowing I was caught, and I just shrug.

“It’s okay, Luna. I check you out too.” He smirks. “What’s on the list?” he asks, walking toward me.

I unlock my phone and scan the list. “A backpack, five notebooks—specifically, one of each color, six if she takes a language class—glue sticks, pencils, and binders. And that’s just part of the list. Why do they need all this stuff?

Schools don’t supply a lot of it?” I ask as he brackets his arms around me and his warmth surrounds me, calming me down.

“Schools have limited funding. They do what they can, but it’s not enough. The list looks easy enough. We can go shopping for it whenever you want. Jess will be excited to pick some of this stuff out.” He kisses the side of my head.

“Uh, about that.” I tilt my head and look at him.

“What’s up? Is everything okay? Do you not like the school? We can look into homeschooling her first year.” He pulls out the stool next to mine, scoots it closer, turns my stool, and pulls me so that I’m between his legs.

“What? No. I love the school.” I pause. “Well, it’s the only school I have experience with, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but they’ve been so helpful, and I think going to school would be good for her.

It’s none of that, though. I know we’ve talked about it, but I feel like I’m taking advantage of you and this situation,” I say.

“I don’t expect you to pay for everything for Jess and me. ”

“It’s a good school, but I want you to know there are options for her if you aren’t comfortable with it.

” He brushes a stray piece of hair out of my eyes.

“I know I’ve said it, but you aren’t taking advantage of me.

You do a lot of the chores around the house as well as cook most of the meals.

You don’t know how much I appreciate that. ”

I shake my head. “That isn’t the same.”

“It is the same. You do so much for Jess and me, on top of working.”

“I’ve just been independent for so long that without having bills or buying things for my sister, it makes me feel like I’m using you, and I’m not.

I love being here with you. I don’t know if I could navigate this path I’ve found myself on without your help, but I fear that one day, you’ll wake up and resent me for everything. ”

His eyes never leave mine, and he caresses my arm.

Nerves mixed with desire start to churn in my stomach.

Did I just ruin one of the best things that has happened to me since leaving The Family?

“This is important to you?” he asks.

Words are stuck in my throat, so I nod.

“Okay. Acts of service is my main love language, and taking care of you and Jess brings me joy, but I never want you to feel like you aren’t contributing enough to our household. How about we make a deal?”

“What kind of deal?”

“I’ll continue to pay for everything regarding the house, but if it involves Jess or anything the two of you want to do, I won’t offer to pay for it, unless you ask for help.”

“I want to pay for half the groceries too.” I counter.

He narrows his eyes and smirks. “You drive a hard bargain, my Lunabella. Fine, you can also help pay for half the groceries.”

“Also… you mean your household? Right?”

“Ours, baby. If I have it my way, both of you will be here with me for a very long time.” He brings a hand up and cups my cheek. “Now give me a kiss to seal the deal.”