Chapter 8 Wait. Noah Just Said My Name?
Noah was sitting on the floor with his trains again when I walked into the living room.
I dropped down beside him.
"Good morning."
He looked up at me quietly.
Then back at the train track.
"Alright," I said, grabbing one of the track pieces. "We need to expand this operation."
Noah watched as I connected two pieces together.
I pushed a train forward slowly.
"Look at that. Very efficient railway system."
He moved another train toward mine.
I gasped dramatically.
"Teamwork?"
He blinked.
Which I decided meant yes.
After a few minutes I stood up.
"I'm getting juice. Do you want one?"
Noah looked at me.
Then he nodded.
I pointed at him immediately.
"You nodded!"
He stared at me like I was being ridiculous.
Which was fair.
Still.
I hurried to the kitchen and grabbed two juice boxes before walking back.
Ryan and Sebastian were already in the living room when I returned.
Ryan spotted me first.
"Amelia."
"Hi."
Ryan dropped onto the couch like he lived here.
Sebastian stood nearby, calm as always.
Ryan glanced at Noah.
"So how is the quiet king today?"
"He nodded," I said proudly.
Ryan blinked.
"No way."
"Yes way."
Sebastian looked down at Noah.
"That is progress."
Before Ryan could say anything else Dominic walked into the room.
His eyes immediately moved to Noah.
Then to me.
Ryan leaned back on the couch.
"Your son nodded."
Dominic looked unimpressed.
"Noah nods."
Ryan pointed at me.
"To Amelia."
That made Dominic glance at me again.
I lifted the juice box slightly.
"He also said dragon yesterday."
Ryan whistled.
"Big day."
Sebastian stayed quiet but clearly interested now.
Ryan leaned forward toward Noah.
"So Noah."
He spoke casually.
"Do you like Amelia?"
The room went quiet.
Noah looked at Ryan.
Then his eyes moved slowly toward me.
And then he spoke.
"Amelia."
My brain stopped working.
"He said my name!"
Ryan burst out laughing.
Sebastian looked genuinely surprised.
Dominic didn't move.
His eyes stayed on Noah for a moment before shifting to me.
Noah calmly went back to drinking his juice like he hadn't just caused a dramatic moment.
Ryan shook his head.
"Okay that's impressive."
Sebastian nodded slightly.
"Very."
Ryan grinned at Dominic.
"Looks like Amelia is the favorite now."
Dominic's jaw tightened just slightly.
And for some reason that tiny reaction made my stomach do a weird flip.
Which I immediately ignored.
Because Noah had just said my name.
And that was way more important.