The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster

Chapter Fifteen

Instead of going to the house and hanging out with Corbin and Ivey, Lang kept Hope out on the boat. Not that she minded, since she enjoyed being on the water. She now had a tan and badly tangled hair.

She was curious about his mother, about why he wouldn’t introduce her, but she never asked. He had his reasons, and they might be that he didn’t want her involved with more of his family. That didn’t really make a lot of sense, because she already knew Corbin and Justin.

But meeting a guy’s mom... That was a whole different deal. Maybe a little too familiar, especially if Lang wanted to keep things casual between them.

After all, they had kissed, but they’d never done anything more. Now, walking with him along the path from the dock to her home, Hope considered everything she and Ivey had discussed. She contemplated how to get things started. Something subtle, like a stroke over his hip. Or maybe she could put her hand under his shirt...

“You’re awfully quiet,” Lang said. “Tired?”

“No.” She kept pace beside him, aware of the heated scent of his sun-warmed skin and the sizzling awareness of being near him. “I was just thinking.”

“About?”

Getting you into bed.Of course she didn’t say that.

It was nice that Lang always seemed so interested in her, in what she thought and felt. Seeing it as a slight opportunity, she lifted a shoulder. “Us?”

Pausing, he looked down at her. “Us?”

What she wouldn’t give to be able to read his inscrutable expression. She saw interest, yes. Maybe a little caution, too. It almost appeared that he held his breath.

“I’ve been thinking about...things. With you, I mean.”

He stepped closer. “What about me?”

God, this was harder than she’d imagined. How dumb. They were both adults, and she was sick and tired of being so hamstrung by her past. She loved kissing him, and not once had he pushed for more. He didn’t even seem frustrated by her limitations, though they frustrated her.

It sometimes boggled her mind how or why she’d ever gained his attention. He was...everything. Strong, attractive, cocky and confident, even financially set. And yet he’d dedicated so much of his free time to her.

Lang was incredibly casual about her difficulties, which helped her to deal with them as well. With him, she didn’t feel damaged.

With him, she wouldn’t be.

She licked her lips, trying to find the right words—and they both heard a sound from the vicinity of her driveway. Almost like a car door.

Lang’s gaze went past her and he frowned.

Hope turned and saw a sleek red car in the driveway.

Company? She never had company. Why in the world would she now, when she was just about to make a proposition?

Lang’s arm went around her in what felt like a protective gesture. “Do you want me to see who it is?”

She considered it, but... “No.” She was different now, she reminded herself. She could handle something as simple as an unexpected caller. “Will you stay with me, though?”

His hand held hers. “It’s where I want to be.”

Oh good. That sounded promising, especially after the difference in their routine all week. She’d gotten so used to spending dinner with Ivey, Corbin, Lang and Justin that she’d been feeling a little left out.

But that wasn’t why she wanted to take things to the next step. Nope. She just flat out wanted Lang.

And with that decision, she got her feet moving through the lush grass. The sooner she got rid of her visitor, the sooner she could get things rolling with Lang.

They got closer...and she stalled.

A woman stood staring up at the deck over her garage, as if trying to figure out how to get up there. Her hair was shorter, and she was hugely pregnant, but of course Hope recognized her right away.

It had been four long years since she’d last seen her sister. Seeing Charity now sucked all the oxygen out of her lungs.

Like a zombie, Hope continued on until her flip-flops crunched on the gravel.

Charity turned, and her gaze locked on Hope’s. They stared at each other, each sister silently appraising the other.

Lang released her hand and instead put his arm around her shoulders. Very quietly, he asked, “You okay?”

She blew out a tight breath and nodded. “Lang, this is my sister, Charity.”

“Hi,” Charity said in a dazed voice, her gaze bouncing back and forth between them.

Lang studied Charity. “I’m Hope’s neighbor, Lang Meyer.”

Charity’s mouth lifted into a tentative smile. “A little more than just a neighbor, I think.”

“A lot more, actually.”

Hope felt herself blushing but wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the way Lang said that, as if they were committed to each other.

Oh, how she wished.

Taking her by surprise, Charity grinned. “Good for you, sis. I had worried... But here you are, looking so happy and with such a hunk.” Charity laid a hand over her stomach. “Oh, Hope. I’m so glad to see you.”

“No.” The word emerged as a hoarse whisper. Anger stirred, and by God, it felt good. Refreshing. Healing. “How did you find me?”

“Facebook. You have the town listed and the animal clinic where you work.” She glanced back at the house. “You even shared a pic of your new place—which is beautiful, by the way.”

The casual way Charity acted only fueled her resentment. “You can’t just show up here and act like nothing has happened.”

“I didn’t mean to do that.” Charity glanced nervously at Lang. “I was hoping we could talk.”

“It’s been four years.” She started to shake and couldn’t seem to calm herself. “Four years, Charity. I haven’t heard from you once in all that time.” You never even asked how I was doing. “I assumed I’d never hear from you again.”

“I know, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am.” Charity shifted. “For everything.”

Hope cut a hand through the air, dismissing her sister’s apology, surprising herself with the curt gesture. “Why are you here?”

“I guess I need to get right to it, huh?” Charity lifted her chin. “I’m pregnant, as you can see. I’m going to be a mother. You’re going to be an aunt.”

Good God. Hope fell back a step and felt Lang’s arm tighten around her. She hadn’t considered her own connection to the baby her sister carried. I’m going to be an aunt.

Seeing her retreat, Charity rubbed her forehead. “I know, it’s complicated, isn’t it? I hope eventually we’ll be able to talk it out, but the punch line is that I know my daughter will be better off with you in her life.”

“What?”She couldn’t have heard that correctly.

Big tears welled in Charity’s eyes. “I know that I was unfair. I know I was selfish and misguided.” She swallowed heavily. “Christ, Hope. When I think of my daughter going through what you did... I am so damned ashamed. I know down deep in my soul that I would never, ever turn on her the way we all turned on you.”

The words stabbed into Hope, piercing her newfound peace of mind. “Stop,” she whispered.

Instead, Charity took a step closer. “I would die for my daughter, Hope. I knew it from the moment I found out I was pregnant. She isn’t even here yet and I love her more than anything. She’s changed me.”

Hope shook her head. It couldn’t be that simple. Never, not in a million years, had she ever expected to hear an apology, much less an admission of guilt. At most, she’d thought she might hear from her family in passing, but as the years went by, she’d even given up on that.

This visit leveled her. Tears tracked down her cheeks.

“Mom and Dad should have done the same for you. They didn’t. I didn’t—and I’m sick with regret.” Charity drew a shuddering breath. “When I realized I couldn’t be like them, not with my own daughter, I knew I had to find you.”

Lang turned with Hope so that she faced him and his back was to Charity. It broke the frozen connection between their gazes, allowing Hope to gulp in needed air.

Cupping her face in his hands, he stroked away her tears. “What do you want to do, honey? I can tell her to go.” He waited a heartbeat, then added, “Or you can go inside and talk. It’s up to you. Whatever you want.”

Her mouth felt insanely dry, prompting her to lick her lips. She felt silly, but this was Lang, and she knew he’d understand. “You’ll stay with me?”

His smile held reassurance, and a promise. “I’ll be right by your side.”

That helped so much. She nodded. “I guess I should invite her in, then?”

“Might be a good idea to hear what she has to say.” His gaze searched hers. “You deserve an explanation.”

“Yes, I do.”

With a nod, Lang stepped to her side again.

Charity stood there, one hand still resting on her rounded middle, anxiety tightening her face. It was such an uncommon expression for her. Usually her sister was full-steam-ahead without a single doubt.

Not this time.

Hope cleared her throat. “Would you like to come up?”

Relief loosened Charity’s entire posture. “God, yes.” She looked around again. “I didn’t see a way to get there, though.”

“The stairs are inside the garage.” Knowing nothing about pregnant women, Hope asked, “Will stairs be a problem for you?”

“Not at all, but I can’t promise I won’t huff, and I’d dearly love to put up my feet.” She made a face. “My ankles swell.”

Something warm and familiar unfurled inside Hope. It was recognition of things she’d lost. An easy camaraderie with her one and only sister.

It was...love. Sibling love.

A new wash of emotion sent more tears trailing down her cheeks. God, how she’d missed her sis.

She hadn’t dwelled on it, not for a while now. What would have been the point? Bitterness was still there, but now it was more of a shadow than a sharp pain.

Trying to sort out the stew of conflicting emotions, Hope led the way into the garage and up to her small apartment.

Lang hadn’t been in here since the day he, Corbin and Ivey had helped her move. Tonight, she’d planned to invite him inside, but these were very different circumstances than she’d initially anticipated.

Though the sun hadn’t yet set, Hope flipped on a light to chase away the shadows and gazed around with pride.

It was a small space, but she’d made it her own in numerous ways. The furniture was for her comfort. The colors were to her liking. There were no personal photos, but she’d hung eclectic, affordable, textured art pieces that pleased her each time she gazed on them.

“How nice,” Charity said as she looked around. “This looks like you, Hope. I like it.”

The praise shouldn’t have mattered...and yet it did. “Make yourself at home. I’ll get us drinks.” Always in the past, she and her sister shared icy colas. She paused at the kitchen counter as a thought occurred to her. “Can you have cola?”

“No caffeine.” Sinking onto the sofa, Charity put her feet up on the poof footstool and sighed. “It isn’t good for the baby.”

“I have water or orange juice?”

“Water would be great. Thanks.”

Lang sat on the edge of a chair, elbows on his knees, his fingers forming a steeple. “You and Hope share a similar look.”

“More so before I got so big,” Charity said easily. She touched her hair. “I’ve always worn my hair shorter, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hope in makeup.”

“She doesn’t need it.”

Charity smiled. “No, she doesn’t. She’s always been naturally pretty.”

Before that could go on, Hope returned, handing a can of Coke to Lang and a bottle of water to Charity. “When are you due?”

“Three weeks, and I’m beyond ready. There are days when I feel like I might pop.” She took several long drinks of the water, then grimaced. “Mind if I use your bathroom? It was a long drive here.”

This was all so strange. She, Hope Mage, was entertaining her own sister as a visitor. “It’s there by the stairs,” Hope said, then watched as Charity hauled herself inelegantly from the seat.

Once she’d disappeared behind the door, Hope turned to Lang.

He slowly grinned. “Threw you for a loop, didn’t she?”

“Completely. I haven’t heard even a squeak from her since I left home so long ago. No calls, no cards. I assumed they’d all written me off.”

“Or maybe they’re just too proud to come after you. People do really shortsighted things, honey.”

“But for her to just show up here? Pregnant? I don’t know what to think.”

“Want my impression?”

Because her own thoughts were so muddled, she nodded.

“Coming to you face-to-face was a lot harder than a call, and a thousand times more sincere than a card. She made the trip because it mattered.” He brushed his knuckles along her jaw. “You matter. I think your sister realized it and she genuinely wants to make amends.”

Hope didn’t dare jump to conclusions. Not after so long. She glanced toward the bathroom door, ensuring it was still closed. “I suppose getting pregnant, knowing she’d soon be a mother, might have had some influence.”

“I know it did for Corbin.” He tugged Hope onto his lap, one arm around her back, the other draped over her thighs. “My brother was off doing his own thing, as far from settling down as a man could be. Now he’s changed literally everything in his life, all for Justin, and he did it without any qualms.”

Hope considered that. “I’m going to be an aunt.”

“A wonderful aunt,” he agreed warmly. “Your niece will be so lucky to have you in her life.”

From behind them, Charity said, “I agree.” Keeping a hand to the small of her back, she made her way to the couch again and settled gratefully onto the cushions. With no animus at all, she said, “I’m a selfish bitch, Hope, and I know it. But as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I desperately wanted to talk to you. I wanted to share everything with you. From the confirmation to the doctor to the ultrasound to my first stretch mark. God, it was so hard, not being able to call, to complain to you when I was sick, to tell you when I first heard the heartbeat.” Her eyes welled up again. “When she first moved...” Her bottom lip trembled. “I wanted my little sister so badly. Not being able to share everything with you really drove home how much I’ve missed you.”

Unsure what to say, Hope asked, “You’ve been well overall?”

“I puked my guts up for a month.” Charity made a face. “It was miserable, and you know Mom. She’s not exactly the nurturing type. But yes, the baby and I are fine. I was so excited when I found out I was having a girl. I kept thinking of all the things we did together.” She added to Lang, “Sisters are special.”

Lang lifted a brow at the irony of that statement, but he didn’t reply.

Hope felt obligated to fill in the silence. “You were far more adventurous than me.”

Charity laughed. “True.” Again including Lang, she explained, “I was all about boys, and Hope was happiest in a cozy chair with a book in her hands.”

“I can see that,” Lang said, and gave Hope a squeeze.

The humor slipped away under poignant memories. Eyes solemn, Charity smiled. “I always envied you that. How self-possessed you were. How you didn’t really need anyone.”

A rush of hurt got Hope back on her feet. “That’s not true.” She stared at the sister she’d once considered her best friend. “I needed my family.” The crack in her voice shamed her. Self-possessed? She, who had only just learned to enjoy a kiss? What a laugh.

“I know.” Subdued, Charity stood, too. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, sis, because I can’t forgive myself.” She swiped at her eyes impatiently. “Damn it, I’ve been so emotional since getting pregnant.” After a deep breath that she let out slowly, she faced Hope. “I’m not married. The second I got pregnant, Will took off. He wanted no part of it, so I’ll be raising the baby alone, and I’m okay with that. But you know, that’s two major strikes against me. First, my fiancé turned into the worst sort of—”

“Don’t say it,” Hope whispered with feeling. Don’t say molester.

Nodding, Charity went silent. Finally, with feeling, she said, “That was clearly a huge mistake on my part. He’s a bastard and I hope he comes to a very bad end.”

“That’s two of us.”

“So, loser number one. Then I hook up with Will, and he bails on me because we’re having a baby. It’s not like I planned it. He’s the one who didn’t...” She broke off again. “Sorry. It’s all so dumb, but honestly, I’m as responsible as Will. You’d think I was old enough to know better.”

Reeling, Hope asked, “He’s out of the picture for good?”

“God, yes. Mom and Dad are annoyed that, the way they put it, they have to tolerate another wayward daughter.” She swallowed heavily. “It really drove home the fact that you weren’t wayward at all. You had the guts that the rest of us didn’t. You stood up for yourself, and we were all... We were awful. You’re the best of us, Hope. I want you in my daughter’s life. Hate me if you want, but please.” More tears spilled over. A damn river of them. “Please. Love my little girl.”

There wasn’t enough oxygen in the room. With a sob, Hope reached out and grabbed her sister in a tight hug that was so long overdue. “I will,” she promised. “I already do.” In that moment, she knew that no matter what her sister had done, how she’d turned her back on her, how badly she’d crushed her spirit, Charity was still her sister.

Now and always.

“I don’t deserve you,” Charity whispered.

“Maybe not, but you’re stuck with me anyway.” Getting her arms around Charity wasn’t easy. Her sister had doubled in size. With a small laugh, Hope held her back. “Are you sure you aren’t carrying twins?”

Wiping her eyes yet again and totally ruining her carefully applied makeup, Charity sniffled. “Don’t even joke. I’m going to have my hands full with one.” She smiled. “Oh, Hope. I’m sorry. I’m so damned sorry.”

All Hope could manage was a nod.

Charity stroked a hand over her stomach, staring down at where the baby grew. “I laid awake one night, feeling her move and thinking about you, about what you’d been through. And...and I made myself think about my daughter. If something that awful happened to her.”

“Shh. Don’t.”

“But it could, because it happened to you.” Charity grabbed Hope in for another choking hug. “That means it could happen to anyone. I swear to you, I’ll take better care of her, though. I’ll protect her the way we didn’t protect you. I’ll do better. For you and the baby.”

So much emotion had worn Hope out. She realized Lang was quiet and when she glanced around, she found him standing at the window, his back to them as he looked out at the woods. He’d given them as much privacy as he could—without leaving her.

God love the man.

She certainly did. The realization made her laugh. She loved him so very much. Not because he was the first guy she’d been involved with since her assault, but because he was special, to his brother, his nephew...and especially to her heart.

“Lang?” She held out a hand.

Troubled, he looked at her, his gaze probing as if to be certain she was all right. “It kills me to hear you cry.”

That made her smile. “I’m okay,” she promised.

And she was. A year ago, she wouldn’t have been. Even a few months ago. But now, after having him in her life? She felt like she could do anything. And even if their relationship ended tomorrow, she knew she wouldn’t retreat back to that protective shell where she feared everyone and everything except her closest friend, Ivey. She would never again be that person.

Immediately Lang came back to her, folding her hand gently in his, tugging her close to his side. “Where are you staying?” he asked Charity.

“I have a motel room. It’s not far from here and if Hope is willing, I’d like to visit with her over the next few days.”

“I’d like that,” Hope assured her. “You’re on vacation or something?”

“Actually, I’ve relocated. It was time to get away from Mom and Dad. Not for good.” She gave a wry twist of her mouth. “For better or worse, they’re our parents, and they’ll soon be Marley’s grandparents.”

“Marley? That’s what you plan to name her?”

“Marley Mage. It has a ring to it, don’t you think? I’m still stuck on middle names, though.” She shot Hope a look. “Mom hates it.”

The grin took her by surprise. “I think it’s beautiful.” Marley Mage, her niece. She couldn’t get used to that—but she wanted to.

“I needed some distance from Mom and Dad, you know? When I see them, and I will, it needs to be a planned visit, not a day-to-day thing.” She chewed her lower lip. “I’ll actually be closer to you, now.”

“You moved here?” One surprise after another.

In a rush, Charity explained, “Don’t be mad, Hope, please. I’m not going to impose or anything like that, but I figured even if you hated me, you wouldn’t feel that way about Marley.”

“Of course not.”

“I meant what I said. You’ll be such a good influence on her, and no child can have too much love.”

Hope smiled at Lang, since he and Corbin had often said the same about Justin. “I agree.”

“I want you in our lives, but at least in her life.” She didn’t give Hope a chance to reply to all that. “I’m looking at a place only fifteen minutes outside of Sunset. I’ve started my own business. I’m a social media consultant for big firms. I help them get organized, show them where to put their advertising dollars and all that. I won’t be rich, but I’ll get by and I’ll have time with Marley.”

Hope looked from Charity to Lang and back again. For some reason, her sister’s uncertainty struck her as hilarious. It was such a comical look for her confident sister. “I know you, Charity. You’ll do great, I’m sure.”

“That means so much.” With a sappy smile, Charity picked up her purse. “Well. I should get going. I’m completely exhausted after my trip, but I had to see you or I knew I wouldn’t sleep at all tonight.”

“You have to go so soon?”

Expression softening, Charity said, “Tonight, I really am tired, and I didn’t mean to interrupt your plans with Mr. Hotness here.”

Lang laughed, taking the compliment in stride.

Full of uncertainty, Charity asked, “I hope you have time to visit more soon?”

Hope gave her a nod. “We’ll figure it out.”

“You are so amazing.” Digging in her purse, Charity located a card. “I have a new number, but give me a call, and I can be over in no time.” She hesitated, then asked, “Is your number different?”

“Oh, yeah, it is. I’ll text you so you have it, okay?”

Charity nodded. Her watery gaze shifted to Lang. “Take very good care of this one. She’s special.”

Lang drew Charity in for a hug, and Hope heard him say, “Believe me, I’m aware.”

Once Charity drove away, an uncomfortable silence settled around them. Lang kept his arm over Hope’s shoulders, so he felt how rigidly she still held herself.

He didn’t want to leave her, damn it. Not tonight. Maybe not ever. “Hope.” After turning her toward him, he lifted her chin. Her dark blue eyes were still liquid with emotion. He saw the faint tracks left on her cheeks from her tears and felt his heart wrenching. Leaning down, he kissed each cheek very gently. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Will you stay the night with me?”

Her blurted question hung out there, stealing his breath, making his brain scramble. Surely he’d misunderstood, right?

Yet she didn’t blink. In fact, she seemed incapable of blinking.

“Stay the night?” he repeated.

Three quick breaths later, she nodded—then promptly bit her lip. “Unless you don’t want to.”

“You mean...” It occurred to him that they were likely talking about two different things. His body had already leaped to lust-inspired conclusions. Knowing her as he did, he readjusted his thinking real fast. “You don’t want to be alone?”

Of course that was it. He drew her in against his chest, rested his jaw on the top of her head.

“Sure, honey, I can stay. I can camp out on the couch, okay?” He’d be close, but she wouldn’t feel uneasy about his nearness. He hoped. “It’s not a problem.”

“You want to sleep on the couch?”

Ah, hell. There his body went again. “I want to do whatever will make you feel better. Always.”

“You’re almost too nice.”

Was she laughing at him? Something in her tone made him think so. Lang set her back so he could see her face. “I care about you, Hope. You have to know that.”

“Yes, I do. I care about you, too...and I want you.”

Yeah, okay, no mistaking that one. “You mean...?”

She tucked back her hair and gave him a slight smile. “I can’t guarantee I won’t falter, but I really want you, Lang. Enough that I want to try.” She touched his jaw. “Would that be okay?”

His instinct was to crush her close, kiss her with all the hunger and need he’d kept under tight rein for so long. But they were standing in her driveway and she’d just had an emotional shock with an estranged sister.

The very last thing he would ever do was take advantage of her.

Her hand fell away and she took a step back. “You’re, um, thinking about it for so long, I’m starting to get nervous. Ivey swore to me that you’d be on board. If she was wrong, I think I’ll—”

Screw it. He hauled her in and kissed her—not the way he wanted to, but in the ways they’d indulged already. Hope enjoyed kissing, and God knew he loved everything about her.

“I’m on board,” he swore, once he came up for air. “I just don’t want to misstep and upset you.” Cupping her face, he said, “Promise me right now that you won’t hesitate to tell me if I do or say anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Nodding, she breathed, “I promise.”

He rubbed his mouth, his thoughts bandying about as he tried to settle on a plan. He’d need to let Corbin know—which meant Ivey would know as well. Not much was private when those closest to them lived a short walk away and were family.

Another problem was that he only had one condom on him.

Given Hope’s past and everything she’d just gone through, who knew if he’d even need it? But if he did...

At least he had that covered. One wouldn’t be enough for him, but for her? Damn it, he was already getting half hard. Insane. He was thirty years old, not eighteen. Hope deserved more than raging gonads. She deserved a lot of consideration and finesse and—

Hope grinned. “Will you promise me something, too?”

“Yes.” He’d promise her anything. Hell, he’d do anything, as long as she was happy.

“Will you try not to worry?” She stepped into him, her arms tight around his waist. “I don’t want to be treated differently.”

“Sorry, honey, but you are different.” How could she not know that? “It’s not only what you’ve been through, but the way you and I click. I’ve known plenty of women through my life, but none that I wanted more than you. And I don’t just mean sex, okay? If you find you can’t after all, that’s okay. I still want to be with you.”

With her face tucked against his chest, she asked, “For how long, though?”

Was that her worry? That if they didn’t go to the next step soon, he’d lose interest? Determined to get things rolling, he turned her back toward the garage and started in. “For as long as it takes.” After pressing the button to close the garage door, he urged her to the stairs.

Breathless, Hope rushed to keep up. “I don’t want you to have to wait.”

He didn’t want her to have to wait. He wanted her to experience everything, to get all the joy out of life that was rightfully hers. “I’m a big boy. I can handle it.” At the top of the stairs, he kissed her again. “I just prefer to handle it with you.”

“Lang.” She hugged him again. “You make my head spin, and you make me feel things I didn’t know I could.”

“I hope you always feel that way.”

Her eyes rounded at the word always. Yeah, he’d thrown that out there just to see her reaction.

Not promising.

Maybe she only wanted him to kick-start her sex life in gear again? What if she wasn’t as crazy about him as he was her?

No, he wouldn’t think that. Hope wasn’t the type to use anyone.

But he couldn’t let her delude herself, either. Plenty of people turned to sex when they needed an outlet. Him included. If that’s all Hope needed, he’d be there for her, but one way or another, he’d earn her love, too.

“You look drained,” he said. “Why don’t you take a quick shower? I’ll give Corbin a call.”

“You’re calling your brother now?”

The grin surprised him. “Not to gossip about you or what we do together. Corbin and I outgrew that a long time ago. But I live there, remember? He might wonder if I don’t come in. He has enough on his mind right now without thinking something has happened to me.”

“Oh yeah.” She shook her head. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I usually read to Justin before he goes to bed.”

“Darn. I’m keeping you from that, aren’t I? You could run home and just come back later—”

Pressing a finger to her soft lips, Lang quieted her. “I guarantee Corbin will be happy to fill in. He’s grumbled multiple times over me getting to do it.”

She heaved a heavy sigh. “You’re sure I’m not interrupting your routine?”

Silly Hope. The woman offered him sex, something he’d wanted within minutes of meeting her, and then she worried that it might inconvenience him.

“I’m sure.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Go on. I’ll be here when you come out.”

More than a little reluctant, she went into the bedroom and opened the closet. Lang dug out his phone and dialed Corbin while striding to the far end of the living area to look out over the deck. Her apartment was small enough that there was really no place to go for privacy, but at least this way they weren’t tripping over each other.

Corbin answered on the second ring. “Hey, what’s up?”

“That’s what I was going to ask you.” He glanced back as Hope left the bedroom and ducked into the bathroom.

“Get this,” Corbin said. “Mom took Justin with her to the RV park.”

Wow. That was a big step for Corbin to let the boy out of his sight. “No kidding. How did Justin feel about it?”

“He’s excited to sleep in the RV, and he wants to see the setup of the park. Mom described it to him, with a pool, a playground and a lot of other kids around. She made it sound exciting.”

“So you’re letting him go?”

“She swore she’d keep an eagle eye on him. You know how she is. She’s a good watchdog.”

Lang laughed. “That she is. I’m glad you agreed.”

“She’ll have him tonight and all of tomorrow, but they’ll be home in time for dinner.”

“Sounds good.” Then, with more gravity, Lang added, “He’s doing great, Corbin. Every day he’s more and more like any other kid.”

“Not so afraid of screwing up? Not as stunned every time something good happens?”

“Yeah.” That about covered it.

“Monday, Mom’s taking him clothes shopping.”

“Huh.” Lang heard the shower start and stared hard at the bathroom door, imagining Hope in there and what she might be doing. With effort, he drew himself back to the conversation with his brother. “I was there when you asked him about shopping for new clothes. He acted like you’d asked him to eat a whole jar of olives or something.”

“I know. That’s why I haven’t gotten him new stuff yet. I was biding my time until he got more comfortable, but all his clothes are either too small or too big. The thing is, Mom asked, and he agreed.”

“She convinced him?” Their mother could be very convincing.

Corbin laughed. “Actually, Justin whispered to me that it might hurt her feelings if he said no. Plus, Mom is going to let him pick out a few new books, too. He was totally on board with that.”

Nice. He could see their mom using whatever leverage was needed. The woman was a master at getting her way. “So this means you and Ivey have the rest of the weekend to yourselves?”

“We’re not running you off.”

Ha! No, Corbin would never tell him to get lost, but he’d probably be glad to hear he’d have some privacy. “Just as an FYI, I’ll probably be staying here for the night.”

Surprise hung in the air. “Here?”

“With Hope.”

After a slight, suspended silence, Corbin said, “Move with caution, okay?”

“Gee, thanks. What would I do without your advice?”

“Probably screw up.”

Lang chuckled. “Possibly—but I doubt it. Not with something this important.” Someone this important.

“I know,” Corbin said more seriously. “I’m just giving you a hard time. I’m glad to hear things are moving along. She deserves to be happy.”

“Agreed.” Could she be happy with him? God, he hoped so.

“Not that you need it, but good luck.”

The hell he didn’t. Right now he needed luck and control in equal measure. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”

Just as Lang put the phone back in his pocket, Hope stepped out of the bathroom. She wore a white, wraparound terry cloth robe, tied at the waist with a matching belt, had her towel-dried hair combed back, and she looked at him with great expectation.

Yup, he was definitely getting hard, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

Except love her and hope it was enough.