Mom slowly turned and looked at Luke with rounded eyes, then she nodded.
I twisted and said to Luke, “Come with me.” I shoved the bags in Mom’s arms, gave her a peck on the cheek then walked by her, through the kitchen and into Hank’s room.
Luke fol owed.
So did Shamus.
I closed the door and turned to him.
“I’m going to take a shower. You’re going to be good, try not to be sexy or freak me out or anything like that. I’ve got to concentrate, preparing for a formal party is serious business. I don’t need distractions.”
His eyes went half-mast and his half-grin appeared.
“You’re doing it!” I accused.
His eyebrows went up.
I shook my head. “Never mind.”
Then I stomped to the shower.
* * * * *
Over an hour later, there was a knock on the bathroom door. I’d had my shower, done my formal party makeup and was putting the finishing touches on my hair (loads of soft twists and up in a messy knot). I was wearing Hank’s bathrobe. My dress, undies, jewelry, purse and shoes had been gathered and were al lying on the bed next to Luke (wel , my undies were hidden under the dress, Luke didn’t need to get any ideas).
Luke seemed to have no problem slipping into a Luke Zen Zone, lying stretched on Hank’s bed, Shamus at his side, eyes closed, saying nothing but seeming total y alert.
I opened the door, expecting it to be Luke.
It wasn’t Luke. It was Hank.
Shit.
Before he could open his mouth, I said, “I’m sorry about your house.”
“Roxie –”
“I should have cal ed to warn you but I’m running late getting ready.”
“Roxie –”
“She’s doing it to be nice, to say thank you for al you’ve done.”
“Roxanne, let me –”
“She can be a little overpowering, I know, but I swear it isn’t normal y this bad. I think she’s worried about me but doesn’t want to say.”
“Roxanne –”
“We can move the stuff she bought to my new apartment when I find one and I’l get rid of the stuff at the front stoop the minute they leave.”
His hands shot out and grabbed me at the waist. He yanked me to him and his mouth came down on mine.
Then he kissed me deep.
When he lifted his head I was dizzy and had forgotten my place in my jabbering apologetic explanation of Mom’s craziness.
“What was that for?” I asked.