Once and Again - By Lauren Dane Page 0,55
of what they’d spoken about in the Honey Bear and of the situation with Pamela. She’d added that she believed very much that Lily loved him and wanted to be with him. She’d agreed to come to Beth’s house that night for dinner knowing he’d be there.
He loved her, this amazing woman. He smiled as he looked up at the clock and made a decision.
School was nearly over and there’d be no reason not to stand under her window holding his boom box if he had to.
Lily pulled into the driveway and worked up the energy to heave herself free and into the direction of her apartment. Her mother had decided to check herself into the hospital for exhaustion and detox. It had been unbelievably painful as she’d hugged Lily, thanking her for the push. She’d looked small and fragile, and Lily had felt like a traitor.
Nancy had drifted off with an incredibly awkward hug after their mother had gone from sight down the hallway. Her help had been unexpected, but in the end, invaluable. And not just to their mother. Funny how sometimes fate could turn your opinion of someone on its ear.
Thankfully Beth picked Chris up from school and took him back to her place until Lily got free. The last thing she wanted to do was have a big dinner with these people who’d most assuredly become her family in the time since she’d been back in Petal. But she supposed it was what she needed, and that’s what kept her moving.
She raced home first to take a shower. She desperately needed to wash the day from her skin before she went to see her brother.
Nathan waited on her top step with a pie box from the Sands. She paused midway to look at him. He’d come to her. The intensity of her relief brought tears to her eyes. She hadn’t allowed herself to really admit how much she needed him to come for her.
“What kind of pie is that?”
“Lemon meringue. I’ve got a coconut cream too.” He pointed to a bag near the door.
Oh someone was getting lucky very soon. “You were supposed to give me some space.”
He grinned. “I have a problem with authority. I’ve known this since the second grade.”
“You did bring pie. That goes a long way in my book. I suppose I can let you in for a slice or two.”
She moved past him, breathing him in as she did. She motioned him into the house once she got the door unlocked.
He came in and put the stuff on the kitchen counter near the fridge. “Lock the door.”
She wanted to giggle and clap her hands with glee but managed to grin as she hurried to do it.
“Beth said to tell you she and Jake are taking Chris to a movie and pizza. We’ll meet them for pizza after the flick. Chris told me he knew I was sweet on you and he thought it was okay as long as I was nice to you. And stuff. Eloquent and heartfelt.”
She leaned in to him, burying her face in his neck. His arms wrapped around her and held on tight.
“I’ve missed you. I’m glad you came for me.”
“I would have come earlier when my free period was up but I got sucked into yet another meeting. I’m sorry about your mom. But I’m glad she’s getting help.”
“I need to shower this day off. Come with me? I’ll tell you.”
He took her hand and they headed to the bathroom. “I missed you too. It’s been hard not to barge in here, to be satisfied with a phone call or texts.”
“I was beginning to get annoyed that you hadn’t disregarded everything I said and showed up looking just like you do now.”
She took her blouse off and tossed it in the laundry.
“I’m going to make every effort not to think about fucking you in every way possible while you tell me. It’s going to be a herculean effort, just so you know and can compensate me accordingly afterward.”
She tiptoed up for a kiss. “You’re good to me.” She turned the water on and then got naked.
“I’m coming in. Even if I can’t violate you just yet, I want to touch you.”
“Damn you’re good with that mouth.” She stepped under the spray and watched as he undressed to join her.
She closed her eyes and got her hair wet. “Just getting her into the car was interesting. She’s strong for a little woman. And then she cried the