Page 5 of Stay With Me
“Yeah, we ran into each other walking out of the bathrooms,” I tell her.
“We just said hi to his mom. She was telling us she’s going on an extended cruise and will be doing some traveling that she’s been wanting to do,” Ann says as she hands me a menu. “Order anything you want. The food is great here.”
I take it, and after scanning it, I pick the sliders with a side salad. Our server, Antonella, comes and takes our order.
Before I know it, lunch is done, and we’re heading out to the bed-and-breakfast. As we leave, I give in and look over at Noah. He sees me and gives a small wave. I wave back and quickly catch up with Ann and get into the truck.
As Ann talks about how excited she is to show me around, I settle into my seat, and for the first time in a long time, hope fills my chest, like a weight I didn’t realize was on my shoulders is being lifted just by being in this town.
Part of me is scared, but another part of me is excited to see what the future holds.
TWO
Noah- Six Months Before Luna's Birthday Party
Ipullintotheparking lot at The Bar, thankful I found a spot tonight. With the farmers’ market getting busier every week, traffic at The Bar has increased as well.
It’s been great for the town. Seeing other people come to love my little town is amazing, but with crowds comes an uptick in work for us at the sheriff’s department.
“The text I got from Farmer Joe mentioned that Brian was bothering the girls and that he stepped in,” I say as I throw the truck into park.
“He’s given me the creeps from the moment I met him. I don’t know how he got a job at the sheriff’s department,” Sam says.
“His dad was the former fire chief before he retired a year or two back, and he and the former sheriff were best friends. I can promise you Mike would have never hired him, but he’s also never done anything that’s gone on record and could be used against him to get rid of him.” I look over at Luke, whose jaw is ticking. “Listen, I’m sure Am is fine. I know he’s been bothering her, but Joe and Sarah would have called the department if they felt it was bad enough.”
“I know. I just hate that she had to deal with it at all. I hate when men don’t understand that no means no,” Luke says.
“Don’t make me arrest two of my best friends tonight,” I say.
“Awww, we’re your best friends?” Sam says with a smirk.
I roll my eyes and open my door, and Sam asks Luke, “Are you going to stay at Am’s house tonight, or are you going to come home?”
“I’ll probably crash on her couch,” he says as we walk toward the door.
Sam bumps my elbow. “Are you going to make a move on Luna?”
“Nah, man. She’s the kind of girl you make sure she knows what she means to you first. That I’m not just here for a quick roll in bed,” I tell him honestly.
From the moment I met her last year in the diner, she took my breath away. Since then, we’ve spent time together in groups with either Joe and Ann, or when I see her at the farmers’ market, I make sure to do some of the shopping, or if I’m working, I’ll do some of my rounds with her.
It isn’t a lot, but those moments have pulled me out of the dark funk I’ve been in since Jenna left.
That day at the diner when I met her was the day my mom told me she wanted to start traveling now that she had retired. While I was happy that she was ready to do something for herself, a selfish part of me was mad.
I moved back to Griffin’s Den after my dad died to help her and be closer to her with my now ex-wife. Who left me because she didn’t like the small-town life.
I’ve fallen into a routine since she left, feeling more alone than I ever have. Then I met Luna, and she brought a light to my life I hadn’t seen in a long time. I’ve been taking my time. I don’t know her full story, but I can tell she’s running from herpast. She thinks she hides it well, but I see the glances over her shoulder and her lack of commitment to future plans.
She won’t leave Ann and Joe in a bind, but sometimes I wonder if each Saturday at the farmers’ market will be my last seeing her.
Once inside The Bar, I spot Joe and Ann at a table and walk over with Luke and Sam on my heels.
I stick my hand out to Joe. “Thanks for the call.”
He shakes my hand. “It’s my pleasure. I’m sure the ladies could handle it on their own, but it will be a cold day in hell if any of my family is picked on by that dickhead.”
I cross my arms and turn my head to look at Brian, who’s sitting at the table right behind the girls. When his gaze meets mine, anger flashes before his eyes soften and a smile takes over his face. I’ve always known he was a little off, since he’s always been a bully since school. He’s never taken to being told no. Well, unfortunately, unless one of the girls files a complaint about what happened tonight, my hands are tied.
