Chapter 89. Noah

Joan POV

"You're good? We could turn back if you want," Aaron asked, giving my thigh a reassuring squeeze as he weaved through traffic. I swallowed hard and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just dinner. I can handle it," I muttered, turning to the window, trying to calm my racing heart. Dinner with the woman who gave birth to me shouldn't make me this nervous, but it did. Maybe it was just my body's way of reacting. Aaron glanced at me as he turned the wheel effortlessly, one hand steady while the other rested on my thigh.

Alessia had sent me the address right after work, and I had spent way too much time picking out a dress. I shouldn’t care about impressing Luna, but a part of me wanted her to see that I turned out just fine without her.

My phone pinged, and I hesitated before digging it out of my purse. Shayne.

**Shayne:** *I have no idea if you're alive. Call me when you get this. I have news.*