Regan waved for me to follow her to the front of the house, where narrow wooden steps led to the second floor. More family pictures lined the staircase, and I stopped when I spotted what must have been Reid’s senior portrait. He wore a buttoned-up white shirt and no trace of a smile.
“He looks so serious,” I said with a laugh.
“That’s Reid for you. He picked out that shirt himself. Mom asked him to go more casual, but he wouldn’t budge.”
I continued following her up the stairs. They let out at a short hallway with four identical doors.
Regan walked to the one on the end and opened it. It was small, with a twin bed and posters lining the wall. “Here’s the room. Don’t get jealous of the glamorous life I lead.”
“I lived with my gran until I was twenty-two,” I offered. “Honestly, I kind of wish I’d have lived with her longer, instead of shacking up with my ex.”
“Yeah, it’s not so bad. I moved out for college, so sometimes I miss my independence, but Mom and Dad are alright. Can’t beat the savings of living at home.”
“Exactly,” I said.
Regan rifled through her top drawer before producing gray sweatpants and a maroon t-shirt. “These work?” she asked.
“Perfect.”
“I’m sure my mom will supply a toothbrush and all that. She loves company, so you two being forced to spend the night is, like, her dream come true.”
“Reid doesn’t stay here much?”
“He does more now…now that he’s single.”
“Oh, got it.” I didn’t want to pry.
Thankfully, Regan didn’t seem to like to stay quiet, because I didn’t even have to push for her to share more on the subject.
“Meghan—his ex—was fine. She just wasn’t very…warm. She didn’t like to do stuff with the family. Her own parents lived across the country, and she only saw them for holidays. I hate to say that I was relieved when he got the divorce, but…it’s like I got my brother back. He’s here every week now and I can go over to his house whenever.”
“She didn’t let you come over?” The idea shocked me.
Regan shrugged. “Not really.”
Family was important. I’d always been desperate for a big one, but the little one I did have, I cherished. And even Paul, for all his faults, had never denied me that. He was actually really great with Gran, albeit irresponsible. He’d drive her to the casino, they’d hit the slot machines until past midnight, and be excited about winning twenty dollars—even though they wouldn’t tell me how much money they put in. Honestly, the way he had been with her was one of the main reasons I’d stayed with him as long as I had. The memory was welcome. It had become so easy to remember the bad that I’d forgotten there had been good parts to that relationship, too.
“That sucks. If I had a family like yours, I’d be over here all the time.”
She laughed. “You’re welcome to them.”
“I appreciate your willingness to take in strays,” I said with a self-deprecating laugh.
She eyed me. “You’re more than a stray. Reid really likes you.”
That caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure how to respond. “I-I don’t know,” I said. Even though I kind of did. Despite all of my insecurities, there was something undeniable there. The chemistry practically crackled. And now that he’d kissed me, it felt like we were both ready to face whatever was going on between us.
“He likes having you around. Which is a surprise, because hehateshouseguests. He even told us explicitly not to stop by unannounced while you’re staying with him, so you don’t feel uncomfortable.”
My face twisted into one of horror. “Oh no, please stop by.” The last thing I wanted to be was the reason Reid spent less time with his family. “Seriously, any time. I would have been happy to meet you, or get out of your way, or whatever. Don’t not come over on account of me.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry about it. He hates when we come over without warning, or at least hesayshe does. I’m not sure I buy it.”
“You’re family. You don’t need an invitation.”
A slow smile crept onto Regan’s face. “Exactly. You get it. I knew I’d like you.”
I stepped into the upstairs bathroom and changed into the sweats Regan had given me. Regan came out in her own flannel pajama bottoms, and we went back downstairs. Reid and his parents were all scattered around the living room.
