Page 40 of Aria

I offered my hand to Bear in greeting. "Hi, there. You'll watch over Sam tonight and make sure no more monsters get in, right?"

Sam nodded the teddy bear's head.

"Good." I leaned over and pulled the blankets up over Sam's small frame. "It was very nice meeting you today, Sam. I hope we can see each other again soon."

"Maybe next time we can read books together and you can tell me more stories."

A warm smile tipped my lips. "I’d like that. Goodnight." I clicked off his lamp and watched as he turned over, already dozing off into a peaceful sleep.

When I headed back into the living room, I noticed Noah was still sitting on the couch where I'd left him. A reflective silence welcomed me as I approached.

"You made a big impression on him today," Noah said. His eyes never left me as I returned to my place beside him on the couch.

Plopping down, I pulled a pillow into my lap. "You have a special little boy, Noah. I mean that.”

Samuel Hayes was a smart, funny, and compassionate kid. He hadn't been traumatized by his father's travels or lack of a maternal figure like I’d originally feared. Noah was doing a good job.

Noah propped his feet up onto the black leather ottoman and inched closer to me. "I worry about him sometimes."

I held my breath, waiting for him to continue. Was Noah finally going to share some insight into his mysterious past?

"I wonder if I'm doing the right thing, you know?" he continued. "Raising him as a single parent—a parent who’s gone all the time. I mean, I've sabotaged numerous relationships because I'm afraid of someone getting too close to Sam. But seeing you with him today…" Noah trailed off, looking up and catching my gaze. He was both tense and soft; a contradiction. "Seeing you with him makes me wonder if Sam really does need a woman in his life.”

Conflict radiated off him. I reached over, giving Noah’s knee a reassuring squeeze. "Look, I'm no life expert… as I'm sure you're well aware," I said, dipping my chin. "But I can tell you this—you're his father. You know what's best for him. If something told you to break off those other relationships, then there was a reason for that. Trust your instincts because your instincts have served you well. He's an amazing little boy."

Something changed in Noah's expression… a wall came tumbling down. He was staring at me with such intensity, I felt bare and vulnerable beneath his gaze. Had I said too much? I was about to pull away from him when his own hand came down on top of mine, sending an odd charge between us. My heart stuttered, and I froze when Noah’s thumb flicked across my knuckles.

"Thanks," he said. “I needed to hear that."

I nodded slowly before gently pulling my hand out from under his grasp. "Y-Yeah, of course. That's what friends are for," I stammered, massaging my hand to cease the strange tingling. "Hey, I should probably get going. It's getting late." Forcing a smile, I pulled out my phone to search for an Uber.

"Right,” Noah said, rising to his feet.

I felt his eyes on me, like he wanted to say something. My head popped up, almost afraid of what his words might be.

"Thank you… really.” He tucked his hands into his khaki pockets and began rocking on the balls of his feet. It was clear Noah Hayes didn't make a habit of being the sentimental type. "I know I said that already, but it meant a lot… what you said. I don't have many people to talk to about this stuff, so it's nice to have someone who will lend an ear."

I softened, happy to see that my words had made an impact on Noah. "Maybe we can do it again sometime."

"I'd like that."

An hour later, I was back at my apartment with a fat cat in my lap. Misty purred as I ran my fingers through her soft gray fur, and I jolted when my cell phone buzzed beside me on the nightstand.

I was expecting to see a “goodnight” text from Devon, but was surprised when Noah's name flashed across the screen, instead. Tapping on his name, I couldn't help but smile when his message popped up.

Noah:Citizen Kane still sucks.

CHAPTERELEVEN

CHELSIE

Iawoke to the sensation of a strong arm around my waist and a warm body pressed up against my back, absorbing the rhythmic motions of his chest.

Rolling over, I let my eyes settle on the handsome face of Devon Sawyer.

My boyfriend.

Even though months had gone by, it still took getting used to. I pushed aside a strand of hair that had fallen over his forehead and pressed a kiss to his lips. Devon stirred, but didn’t wake, so I increased my efforts by running my hand down his bare chest and into his boxers, grinning when his eyes fluttered open.

---