She nods and takes a breath before taking the first step down the stairs.
MASON
The clacking soundof Holland’s strappy sandals on the stairs has my full attention. Beck’s too. He talks a big game about a lot of things, but the way he loves his sister is something so beautiful I know it will last.
Her smile is huge as she sees me waiting in the living room with a corsage of purple flowers to match her sparkly purple dress and the tie around my neck.
“You look beautiful,” I say, holding out my hand and twirling her around when she takes it.
She giggles, the skirt flying out around her as she moves. Lana’s eyes are full of tears as they meet mine, and I wink becausethisis everything.
A rumble sounds outside and everyone’s eyes widen as we head for the door. I’d taken my truck to get washed today but I wanted to give Holland the option. The old fleetside truck is painted a matte black with roll down windows and circle headlights. It’s got that classic feel, and Otto’s brother had been nice enough to let me borrow it for the evening.
“We can take my truck,” I say to Holland, her little hand clasped in mine, “or we can take that one.”
Bodhi steps out of the driver’s seat and gives everyone a small wave and a nod. “Will you teach me how to drive that?” Beck asks and I grin.
“Of course.”
“You can teach me first,” Lana says, her eyes going unfocused as she stares at the truck, no doubt thinking about my hand over hers on the shifter, the vibrations of the tires on the road making it so much more than just a simple drive.
I clear my throat, making her smirk, and I hope she knows she’s going to pay for that later.
“Hi Bodhi!” Holland yells, waving her hand and forcing him to cross the grass to meet us. His expression is soft as he looks at her, his smile small but present on his face. I know what he sees when he looks at her.
Audrey.
I see her too.
“You look very pretty, Holland,” he says, and she blushes before closing the distance and wrapping her arms around his waist. He hugs her back before pointing at the truck. “Did you decide?”
“That one.” Holland points to the old truck, and I fish my keys from my pocket and hand them to Bodhi so he can take mine home.
Home.
The house we’d hidden away in when we’d first landed in Blackstone Falls three years ago doesn’t hold the same feeling as it did back then. Because my sense of home has shifted.
To here.
Swallowing down that realization, I slip the corsage onto Holland’s wrist and pose for all the pictures Lana wants before helping my girl into the truck as Bodhi gets into mine.
“How come they get to go on a date? What are we, chopped liver?” Beck complains with mock indignation.
Lana snorts as she ruffles his hair. “What do you think we should do?”
“I’ll let you buy the burgers and I’ll get the ice cream,” he says seriously, even though he can’t hide his smile.
Pretending to think it over, Lana waits only a few seconds before holding out her hand to Beck. “Deal.”
“Nice!” he cheers before pointing a finger at me. “You kids don’t stay out too late.”
“I’ll have her home at a reasonable time,” I say with a salute which he returns with a laugh before he pulls Lana toward her car.
It’s the perfect night, and I wouldn’t mind doing this forever.
35
LANA
