Page 35 of Stay With Me
“You were on the run by yourself with no one to lean on. She has you and Noah standing next to her and helping her learn. You’ll make sure her journey is different from yours,” she tells me as Am walks in.
“I agree. You and Noah are doing a great job. She’s thriving and learning something new every day. I mean, she’s out here with us and having fun. She could have shut down and just sat in her room all evening,” Am says to me.
“And she asks great questions. For someone who didn’t go to school, she’s very well articulated for her age.” Pam chimes in.
“I worry she asks too many questions. What if someone gets mad at her or makes fun of her?” I ask them as I watch the pure joy on her face as she beats the guys at another race.
“If anyone gives her grief about asking a genuine question about something she doesn’t understand, then they’ll have to answer to all of us. And could you imagine if it was done in front of Joe and Ann? They already look at her like a grandchild,” Abby says.
They’re right. I know they are, but I remember the looks I would get when I would question something. So much so that when someone said something to me about it, it made me scared to ask the questions I had. So, instead, I would spend hours at a local library reading books and looking things up on the internet.
It’s how I practiced reading, and now the girls and I share books.
Except the books they read are different from what I was used to reading… Some of them still make me blush, but it’s why I can put some words to my attraction for Noah.
“So you and Noah look pretty comfy, huh? Sleeping in the same room yet?” Pam raises her eyebrows.
I can feel the blush creeping up my neck, thinking about our kiss last night. I shake my head. “No, I still sleep in the same room as Jess.”
“It’s about time he made a move and kissed you,” Pam says.
“Hey, it’s a big change, and they’re navigating at their own pace. Let them be,” Amelia tells her as she knocks her with her shoulder.
“I’m just saying. If he’s making her blush from a kiss, I can’t wait to see what happens after they have sex.” Pam laughs.
“Keep the sex talk down! We have a kid around now!” Am whisper yells at her.
“A little birdy told me the reason for this get-together tonight is to see who Jess vibes with more so Noah can take you on a date?.?.?.” Abby says with a giggle.
I shrug. “Before he kissed me, he said something about being told he wasn’t making his intentions clear and that was going to change. I don’t know what any of that means, but I wouldn’t mind some time with him, just the two of us.”
“It’ll happen sooner rather than later if the look he keeps giving you says anything,” Am says.
“This is totally off topic, but has anyone started the book we’re reading this month? It’sspicy,and I’m loving it so far,” Pam says.
“No, it’s on my list to do after Jess goes to bed tonight, though. I’m excited to read it,” I say.
“Text the group chat if you have any questions, like always. There are some new topics in this book, and we want to make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re reading,” Pam says.
This is why they make it so hard for me to want to leave. Jess hasn’t said anything, but I know she sees that I haven’t unpacked anything yet. It’s hard when I’m unsure of what my next moves will have to be.
But these women are the best of friends who don’t judge me because of my limited experience and the questions I have about how some things work.?
“Or she could just ask Noah to explain it to her,” Abby says with a laugh.
“Oh my god. No, I don’t think I could ask him,” I say quickly.
“I bet he would not only explain it but show you as well,” Am adds.
I shake my head with a laugh and look back at the living room just as Sam yells, “I swear you taught her how to cheat, Noah! There is no way you beat me that many times in a row. This game is rigged, I tell you! Rigged!”
Jess looks around with wide eyes as he raises his voice until she sees that everyone else is laughing at him. She leans in and whispers something to Noah, who looks around and whispers something back to her before she also joins them in a fit of laughter.
“I can’t believe Sam is so good with her. I didn’t picture him good with kids,” Abby says, and I glance at Pam out of the corner of my eye to see her reaction.
“Nah, kids love Sam. He’s the first to volunteer to babysit or do anything with the school when they need someone,” Amelia says. “He’s always been that way, even when we were growing up.”
“Probably because he was stinted as a child.” Pam laughs.
