Page 9 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

NINE

Luna

As I finish making Jess’s lunch, I hear Noah ask her if she’s almost ready. It’s been a long week since Jess came to town. Today has been just as busy with a doctor’s appointment and her first round of shots, along with a full checkup. Noah and I both got boosters today as well.

On the way there, I told him about my first job and that when I cut myself, the owner had me go to the urgent care to make sure I didn’t need stitches, and I got shots when I was there.

At Jess’s appointment, we were told that anyone who will be around early on should be in good health and up to date on their immunizations for her health.

This was all news to me as I was never told that. I slightly freaked out since we took her shopping, but the doctor quickly assured me that she should be okay if she’s not showing signs of illness.

This past weekend, the girls and I took Jess to the park area where the farmers’ market is held and had a picnic.

Getting out of the house with the girls, including Jess, was exactly what I needed. A little escape from the whirlwind our lives have become since Jess arrived.

At first, Jess was overwhelmed, and the moment they realized it, they switched the topic to me and asked me about Noah. While I didn’t know how to answer a lot of their questions, I was happy to take the attention off Jess.

Slowly, Jess has begun opening up, and thanks to the girls, she opened up even more. She also started to become excited about getting tested for where she should start with school.

The girls talked school up like it was the best thing.

We looked into different options regarding Jess and school.

The principal, the school counselor, and two teachers have been a wealth of knowledge.

We agreed pretty immediately that waiting for the next school year to start wasn’t the best option, and after a lot of talks about the best route to take, one of the teachers, Cassidy, came forward and offered to work with her at the school during the summer for a small fee.

We offered to do it at the bed-and-breakfast or even at Noah’s home, but she stated that it might be better for her to get used to the school environment.

The school agreed, and today is her first day.

We did decide that we were going to try and treat it as real school, so Noah and I won’t be there with her, but Noah will check in during lunch to see how it’s going.

They’ll also call if they think one of us needs to come up there because Jess is struggling.

I wasn’t sure how this would work, but I shouldn’t have been surprised when they were so accommodating.

We had to talk to her about how she doesn’t start school today, that it’s just a half day for her to do some testing to see what her teacher needs to focus on.

I think I’m more nervous about her being at school without us than she is.

What if The Family finds us and tries to take her?

What if she runs away?

I shake my head when Noah calls my name. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you asked. Can you repeat it?”

“Hey, no need to apologize. Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yes, I mean, no, but yes. I’m just nervous, and she isn’t even staying the whole day today.”

Turning to face him, I take him in. His strawberry-blond hair looks like he just ran his hand through it, and he also looks like he shaved today. Which is a shame because I think I prefer him with facial hair. His work pants are unbuttoned as he tucks his undershirt in.

My ears heat with embarrassment as I check him out. He’s helping us out and doesn’t need me standing here ogling him, but I can’t get what he said that first night out of my head.

Us.

“Luna,” he groans. “You can’t look at me like that when we have to leave soon.”

“Look at you like what?” I ask as I tilt my head.

I think I know what he means, but I’m not confident enough to be sure. All I know is that every time he’s near me, my whole body is drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and I want him to kiss me like I’ve read about in my books.

He groans and buckles his work belt as he comes toward me. Taking my face in his hands, he says, “Like you’re ready for things to move at a level that you haven’t experienced. I’m trying to be good, but you make it so hard.”

“Hard? Would you like me to leave? I don’t want to impose.” I bite my lip as I try to work out what he’s saying.

He uses his thumb to pull my lip free. “No, Luna, you are not imposing. I want you here with us.”

“Then why don’t you kiss me?” I blurt out and snap my mouth shut.

He looks down at my lips, and my heart pounds in my chest, but instead of kissing me, he drops his head to mine. “Because if I start kissing you now, I won’t want to stop, and Jess is here and we have to go to the school.”

I release a nervous breath as I close my eyes. “Oh.”

His hands drop to my waist, and he pulls me closer. “Yeah, oh. Now let’s finish getting ready so we can head out.”

A door closes in the background, and I know Jess is coming to the kitchen.

When I try to pull away so she doesn’t see us hugging, he holds me close. “We aren’t doing anything wrong, and I don’t want to hide simple affection from her. She needs to see that a hug with the right person and with consent is normal.”

I just nod as he turns his head when she comes into the kitchen. “You ready to head up to the school, squirt?”

“Yes, sir,” she responds.

He smiles at her. “Just Noah, remember.”

She looks down at her shoes and says, “Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. Good manners are important, but with me, I’m just Noah. Let me grab the rest of my stuff, and we can head out.” He looks at both of us and then drops a kiss on my head.

When he steps away from me, I turn back to the counter and double-check her lunch box to make sure that everything is in there. Satisfied that it seems to be in order, I grab her water bottle from the fridge and hand both to her with a smile.

“How are you feeling about today?” I ask her.

“I’m nervous. What if I don’t know anything that they want me to know?” she says softly.

“That’s okay too. You’re smart and will learn quickly.” I reassure her. “Can I give you a hug?”

“Yes, please, I think I would like one.”

I pull her into my arms. “I know this is scary, but we’re together, and together we can do anything.”

She nods against my chest and tightens her arms around my waist.

I let her step back, and Noah calls out, “Alright, ladies, let’s head out before we’re late.”

Together, the three of us head to the car to take Jess to the school.