Page 6 of Stay With Me
“Thanks for helping, Joe. I’m going to take Amelia home now,” Luke says before walking toward the girls’ table.
“Anytime.” He turns back to Sam and me. “If you need me to, I can drive Luna home.”
I look over at him. “No, I’ll take her home so you two can enjoy your night out. You guys don’t get out and treat yourselves enough.”
Joe smirks at me while Ann reaches over and pats my shoulder. “Thank you. We’ll see her when we get home.”
I give them a nod and make my way over to the table. A chuckle escapes me when Sam complains to Luke about his very public claiming kiss of Amelia, which in a small town will let everyone, including Brian, know who she’s with.
A soft laugh catches my attention, and I look down at Luna, who has a blush trailing down her neck. When she looks up at me, my breath catches as it always does with her beauty.
“Are you sure you don’t mind driving me home? It’s not out of your way, right?” she asks.
“Of course I don’t mind. It’s on my way home.” Mostly a lie. I pass my mom’s house on the way to the bed-and-breakfast where she lives. I’ve been meaning to stop by and pick up her mail and mow the lawn, so I can crash there and do it in the morning.
“Okay, if you’re sure.” She gives me a shy smile.
“I am. It’s no trouble at all.” I reassure her as everyone gathers their things. “Do you know if the tab is paid?” I ask Am.
“Yeah, it’s all taken care of.” She waves me off.
We make our way to the exit, and when we get to Am’s car, Pam and Amelia pull Luna into a hug. She looks to me, and I point to my truck.
She turns and starts to walk that way and stumbles a little on the gravel. I grab her elbow to steady her. “Whoa there, are you okay?”
“Yeah, must have just lost my footing a little.” She giggles.
My hand slips from her elbow and comes to rest on her lower back, guiding her as we walk to the truck. I help her get in and make sure she is buckled in before I shut the door and hop in the driver’s side. Backing out of the spot, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Looking over, I see Luna has turned toward me.
“Are you sure this isn’t out of your way?” she asks again.
“I promise. This is not an issue at all.” I reassure her.
“Okay. Thank you for driving me home . . .?I mean, to the bed-and-breakfast.” She quickly corrects herself.
“If you live there, it can be your home. Home is where you make it and not an exact place. At least that’s what my parents taught me,” I tell her as I turn down Main Street.
“They sound nice. Do they live here in town still? I don’t think I’ve seen your mom since the day I met you at the diner.”
“Technically, yes, she still lives here. She’s just been traveling. My dad passed a while back.” I turn into the bed-and-breakfast’s long driveway. “Which cabin do you live in?”
“Four,” she tells me.
I make a right and follow the signs to cabin four, pulling up and wishing I had more time with her. “Wait for me to come around and help you down,” I tell her as I put the truck in park.
“Okay,” she says softly.
Once on the passenger side, I open her door and offer her my hand. I hear the soft click of the seat belt disengaging before she places her hand in mine.
The moment her eyes meet mine as she hops down, I know I’m well and truly fucked. I will follow this woman to the ends of the earth. I’ve only spent a handful of moments with her, but it’s like my soul recognizes her on a level that I can’t even begin to explain.
I let go of her hand and place it on her lower back, guiding her to the porch. Feeling like a teenager on his first date, I stop in front of the door, and she starts to fiddle in her purse for her keys.
“So, um, would you like to go out to dinner sometime?” I ask her, running a hand through my hair.
“Um, yeah, I think I would like that. I’m just not sure when or if I will have time since things are picking up here at the bed-and-breakfast.”
A smile splits my face. “We can figure it out. Sleep well, okay?”
