Page 49 of Stay With Me
Me: She had the best time with Sam. She said next time?they were going to do manicures. Then I had to explain to her what that was.
Abby: I will forever be shocked at how good with her he is.
Am: He’s a large child. It makes sense. It’s sweet though. Out of all of us, growing up, he was the one who wanted kids the most.
Abby: Really? That shocks me even more.
Pam: I can confirm. It was weird.
Me: I think it’s sweet. I can’t be mad because I swear Jess is still smiling today talking about it.
“Is that Noah? Is he almost home?” Jess asks as she sets her pencil down.
“No, it’s the girls. I’m going to start a load of laundry. Did you put your dirty clothes in the hamper in the laundry room?”
She smiles at me. “Yes. Do you want to see how good I wrote my name?”
“Of course I do!” As I walk around the counter, I hear Noah walk in the door.
“Hey, ladies,” he says as he walks to the safe and puts his gun away.
“Hi, Noah. Did you have a good day today?” Jess asks.
“It wasn’t bad. How was your day? What were you going to show Luna?”
“I was practicing signing my name! Do you want to see?”
“You bet I do.”
As he walks toward us, I’m fully captivated by him. My gaze lingers on him as warmth floods my body with memories.
I hear him clear his throat, causing my eyes to snap up to him. He smirks at me as he comes to my side and rests his chin on my shoulder, resting his hand on my side.
“What do you think?” Jess asks, proudly holding the paper she was practicing on in front of her.
“That looks so much better than mine,” Noah tells her, brushing his fingers against the skin on my stomach under my shirt slowly enough not to bring attention to it.
Pleasure swirls in my chest.
“No way,” she says, laughing.
“Yes, way. Hand me your pencil. I’ll show you.” Reaching out with his free hand, he grabs her pencil, and on the closest envelope, he signs his name. “See.” He puts the pencil down and shows her.
“No way. You can’t even read it! How does anyone know it’s you?”
I can’t help but laugh.
He shrugs. “They just do. Either way, you’re doing much better than I am.”
Jess keeps making fun of him as his stomach growls.
“What’s for dinner? It smells delicious. Sorry I’m a little later than normal. I just have to change quickly.”
“It’s okay, we made you a plate in the fridge,” Jess says.
“It’s just rice, chicken, and broccoli. There’s more than what is on the plate if you want more,” I say.
“I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll be right back,” Noah says and kisses my cheek.
