ust as I was about to open the door, however, a firm hand shot out and shoved it shut once again. I stopped in my tracks, my hand still lingering on the doorknob, as I looked up to see Noahâs tall form towering over me.
âWhy are you leaving?â he whispered, leaning closer. âWhat about the car?â
I simply shrugged and placed one hand on my hip. âI figured you could call the driver to come and pick you up whenever youâre ready,â I said, glancing around the comer to see Zoe still bustling around the kitchen with a satisfied smile on her face. âAlthough, you seem cozy enough here. Maybe you should stay. here for a few daysâ
Noah visibly bristled at my words, his ears turning a new shade of red.
âWhy would I stay here?â he growled.
I didnât bother to answer; I simply tilted my chin down at him and shot him a scathing look through my eyebrows before roughly yanking the door open, causing him to lose his grip and stumble backwards. I then held my hand out flat and waited.
Noah clenched his jaw for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth across my face, before he finally sighed. Fishing his car keys out of his pocket, he plopped them in my hand and stalked off.
Without so much as glancing back, I strode down the path to the car and drove away.
Pulling the car over to the side of the road, I put it in park close to the small sign and peered through the windshield.
âBake Sale,â the sign read. âChildrenâs Center Fundraiser.â
My stomach was growling again, and the idea of a muffin sounded appetizingâand besides, I didnât feel like going home. Out of spite, I felt like taking Noahâs precious car on a bit of a joyride. Maybe I would take it to the next town over for some shopping later, too.
As I walked inside the small community center, I was immediately hit with the sweet scent of confections and the sound of soft music. Tables were scattered around containing various baked goods, and I slipped my sunglasses up onto my head as I browsed.
âLuna Hannah? Is that you?â a soft voice suddenly asked. I lifted my head to see a middleâaged woman in an apron walking up to me, a group of young children watching from afar.
âHello,â I said with a smile. âHow can I help you?â
The woman beamed at me and wrung her hands a bit as she nodded her head toward the kids. âIâm Maggie, one of the instructors at the preâschool. The kids recognized you and wanted me to ask if youâd like to join us for our dreamcatcherâmaking session.
Quirking an eyebrow, I peered past the woman at the group of kids; they were all quite small, wearing matching little aprons and watching with wonder on their tiny faces.
Instantly, I felt whatever anger I had been feeling before ebb away. I offered the woman a grin and nodded. âIâd love to join.
Thank you for inviting me.â
I followed the woman to the kids, who shyly greeted me with bashful looks on their faces. Crouching +25 BONUS Chapter 0130.
down to each of them, I greeted them all by name, taking my time to comment on their hair or their face paint or their aprons.
Over the next half hour, I joined in on the dreamcatcher session; I sat on the floor with the kids, helping them to properly wrap the string and attach the beads and feathers.
It was moments like thisâbeing with the children, surrounded by their innocence and the sounds of their tinkling laughterâthat I felt most at ease. In fact, I had all but forgotten about Noah and Zoe by the time our dreamcatchers were finished, and I even agreed to stay for another arts and crafts session as well.
âThank you, Luna Hannah!â one of the little boys said, holding his dreamcatcher up triumphantly. âNow I can tell everyone that I got to play with a Luna!â
I laughed and pinched his cheek. âAnd now I get to tell everyone that I got to play with you kids,â I said.
Suddenly, however, a familiar male voice cut through the din of tiny childrenâs laughter.
âFancy seeing you here.â
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