Page 31 of Stay With Me
I can picture him watching videos on how to do math “the new way.”
Me: Yeah, it’s math?.?.?.Now go back to work, so you aren’t late
Noah: Ugh, I hate math?.?.?.See you soon, Lunabella
I lock my phone and place it face down before setting everything on the counter.
Paper rustles from behind me, and I look over my shoulder to see Jess packing up her schoolwork.
I still feel like I have to pinch myself to believe that she’s here.
I want to ask her more questions about how she got here and how she got away, but Noah and Melissa, the case worker, said I should just focus on building a relationship with her and let the therapist ask most of the questions. Looking up at the calendar, I see that her next appointment is this week. She was supposed to see her therapist this morning, but the therapist had to move the appointment back due to an emergency.
As I open the cabinet to get the bowl I’ll need, I hear my phone again.
This time, it’s the girls’ group chat.
Amelia: I heard Noah got called into work. We’re still good to come over around five for dinner?
Pam: And they say we gossip.
Abby: They’re worse than we are, for sure.
Me: Yeah, he said he should be off between five and six. So he’ll get here once he’s off.
Abby: Do you need us to bring anything?
Me: No. I think Noah bought the whole grocery store, and I ordered pizza. It’s the first processed food Jess has tried, and she loves it.
Pam: Of course she does. Pizza is the best food.
Amelia: Top three, Mexican is the best.
Pam: You can literally never have the same pizza twice.
I can’t help but laugh. They have this argument at least once a week.
Abby: I love breakfast food.
Me: I just love food.
Amelia: Preach.
Pam: Soooo tell us what it’s like living with Noah?.?.?.
Abby: Yes, tell us all.
Amelia: I thought we said we wouldn’t do this over text and we would save it for girls’ night?!
Me: Well, he told me he wants to be more than friends?.?.?.
Amelia: Duhhhh
Pam: We told you that?.?.?.
Abby: Tell us more.
Me: Well, he did kiss me.
