Page 77 of Stay With Me
“I’m just glad it was you and not Jess who caught us.” I chuckle.
“I mean, I’m no parent, but she is ten, right? Probably should think about talking to her about it soon. My parents started talking to me about it when I started my period, so about eleven.” She shrugs, and I freeze.
When do I have to talk to her about that? Does she even know about that?
“Hey, you okay? I didn’t mean to freak you out,” she says, coming back to me.
“I’m okay. I mean, I will be. I just didn’t think about that part of parenting, I guess.” I shake it off, and we go inside and find our booth.
We don’t have to wait long before Am and Pam walk through the door with matching smiles. “Hey, ladies! I hope we didn’t keep you waiting. Luke dropped us off because my Jeep is in the shop to get a new speed sensor, and Pam wants to drink.”
“No big deal. Luna and I were just talking about how sometimes one of your best friends walks into the house you’re staying at and finds you and your boyfriend walking out of the pantry after having a quickie.”
My face flames again, and I cover it with my hands. “I thought you wouldn’t say anything!” I sigh into my hands.
“Tell me more,” Pam says, leaning toward me.
“Wait, I think we need beverages for this. I was just about to go place our order when y’all walked in,” Abby says as she scoots out of the booth.
Abby walks away, and I turn back to the table. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Oh, this is a very big deal. I mean, I know you guys did the sideways tango. That was the whole reason I took Jess for the day. But this is a whole different level. I feel oddly like a proud parent.” Am practically preens.
“I do too. Like our little Luna is ready to leave the nest,” Pam adds.
Thankfully, Abby is back quickly with our drinks—Am with her usual Coke, no ice; Abby and Pam have a beer; and me, with a vodka cranberry.
“I’m telling you, ladies, the look on Noah’s face was pure pride that they were caught,” Abby says as she sits down.
I can’t help but laugh at that because she’s right.
“He was pretty smug with himself,” I admit. “I’m not ashamed. I just have this war in my head that we were caught doing something bad, but it wasn’t bad?.?.?.”
In The Family, this was never a topic that would be talked about at any point.
“But was your first time everything you hoped it would be? I don’t regret mine, but I know some do,” Am says.
“I regret the first person I had sex with.” Abby lifts her beer and takes a drink.
Pam just shrugs. “I wish I would have waited for someone else.”
I don’t even hesitate. “No, it was perfect. He was amazing, and at no point did I feel like I couldn’t say no if I wanted to stop.”
“I knew he would be good to you. That man has it bad.” Pam smirks.
I smile because I have it bad too.
“Okay, so other than Luna finally losing her V card, what else is new? Anything?” Am asks, thankfully changing the subject.
“I’m finalizing the purchase of the diner this week. Ken and I are publicly announcing it as soon as it’s done,” Abby says, a wide smile splitting her face.
“I’m so happy for you!” I tell her and give her a side hug.
“I’ll cheers to that! Way to go, Abs! The diner is going to be in great hands.” Am brings her drink to the center of the table.
“I’ll second that.” Pam clinks her glass against Amelia’s Coke.
“Thanks, ladies. I think I’ll do a slight rebrand. Nothing huge, but locals will notice a difference. I want to do some updates to the interior and the menu. Not change everything, I just want my stamp on it,” Abby admits.
