The Summer of No Attachments (The Summer Friends #2) - Lori Foster Page 0,43

relaxed, as did his intent expression. “You don’t feel what I feel.”

Her heart tripped and she whispered, “What?”

“I hope this won’t insult you, but protectiveness is top of the list.” He considered that, then gave a firm nod. “I want to protect you. I want you to feel safe with me.”

Indignation was there, but it was overtaken by curiosity. “I think I do.”

He acknowledged that with a quick smile. “I want to get to know you better, too. Do you think we could do that?”

God, she wanted to, but... “I don’t know.”

“How about we try, and if at any point you feel pressured, just tell me. I’m not perfect, I know that. You need to know it, too.”

The grin took her by surprise. “I wasn’t under the impression you were.”

“Good,” he said, all too serious even with her teasing. “Let’s face it. There’s a good chance I’ll trip up every so often and I want you to know up front that you can call me on it.”

“So...we’ll be spending time together?”

“I hope so. Like this, just being out and about. Or on a date if you want. You’re close by so you could join Corbin, Justin and me for a movie in the evening, or a swim in the afternoon.”

“I don’t own a swimsuit.”

“So buy one. Or swim in a T-shirt and shorts.”

Warmth enveloped her. She wanted to. Suddenly everything he mentioned sounded exciting, fun and actually possible. Feeling a little giddy, she nodded.

“Awesome.” He leaned forward to look out the windshield. “I think the rain is lightening up a little. Want to make a run for the store?”

The soft laugh escaped in a rush. He was so casual about everything that it helped her to be casual, too. “Yes, I think I do.”

His smile matched hers. “Afterward, you want to grab a bite to eat somewhere? That is, if any place is open in this outage.”

She nodded too fast, then couldn’t help laughing again. “A lot of places have generators, so...yes. Okay.”

Being a seriously funny goof, Lang rubbed his hands together. “Well, this is all progressing more nicely than I could have hoped. Come on, I’ll race you.”

And before she even thought about it, Hope jumped out and took off through the rain, laughing freely, feeling absurdly happy.

Behind her, she heard the truck door slam and then the slapping of Lang’s sneakers right before he drew up alongside her. He even turned to run backward, goading her with, “Come on, slowpoke. Is that the best you’ve got?”

She ramped up the speed and shot past him, nearly colliding with the automatic doors. They opened and Lang was there, putting on a serious face for the gawking shoppers while she continued to snicker.

Fun. She was having honest-to-God fun, and with a man.

In that moment, she knew a whole new world had just opened up to her. She couldn’t wait to tell Ivey all about it.

Chapter Seven

Over the next month, Corbin and Ivey fell into a wonderful, comfortable pattern. Instead of Corbin and Justin visiting the clinic, they came by Ivey’s house at least three times a week. Justin got to play with Daisy, and Ivey got to enjoy them both. Most nights Corbin brought dinner with him so all she had to do was shower and change. Twice she had insisted on cooking dinner, and Justin made his food preferences clear. Meatloaf was his favorite, but he also loved her fried chicken, declaring it far better than what his dad got from the fast-food restaurant.

Maurice actually loved Daisy. When Ivey wasn’t home, the pups were kept in the mudroom, but they weren’t often alone. When the cat went over the barrier in the mudroom to use his box, he usually stayed to visit. Ivey had found them all together more often than not. It astounded Ivey, since the cat had never before met a dog he didn’t hate. Then again, Daisy was a very small, timid dog who treated Maurice like a friend.

Going up to the attic had become Ivey and Justin’s “thing.” That first time, my goodness, how Justin loved it all. She could still remember the awe in his voice as he looked around.

“Wow.” And then a few seconds later, “Wow. This is really all yours?”

“Collected over many years.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You see? I love all things horror as much as you do.”

“Maybe more,” he enthused, before oh-so-carefully lifting an original Alien action figure.

Feeling the excitement of her finds all over again, she made