That got him the reaction he expected. Her big brown eyes widened with shock. “Are you serious? Really?” The beautiful smile he loved burst upon her face. “Oh my God, when did this happen?”
“It’s only last week since he burst into our lives like a whirlwind, yet now it’s as though he’s been here forever.” He caught Brandon’s eye and gave him an affectionate glance. “He’s living at Esther’s now.”
Val folded her arms and shot him a pointed look. “Anything else you’d like to tell me?”
Here goes nothing.
“Brandon and I are dating.” He reached behind him, and Brandon grabbed hold, giving it a squeeze.
Surprise flared in her eyes, but she said nothing, her gaze shifting back to Brandon, now raking him with a critical eye. Of one thing Tash was certain: Val would speak her mind and tell him exactly what she thought of him dating Brandon.
“Well, this is quite the shock. I mean, it’s been five years since you’ve dated anyone, and now in one week you’re with Brandon. I assume it’s exclusive?”
“Of course it is; what kind of question is that?” he snapped at her.
“A valid one,” she shot back. “I mean, I’m sure you’ve noticed how much younger he is than you, Tash. Most guys his age aren’t into dating thirty-seven-year-old men.”
Before he swallowed his anger and answered her back, Brandon jumped in. “Valerie, I’m really looking forward to getting to know you better. You’re all Tash talks about. And once we do, I guarantee you’ll understand when I say I’m not your average twenty-five-year-old guy looking for the next party. I’m in this for the long haul.”
“You’re only twenty-five?” A shaky laugh escaped her. “Jesus, he’s even younger than me.” She unzipped her jacket and hung it on the coatrack. “Um, okay. This will take some getting used to on my part.” She stood before the two of them fiddling with the strap of her handbag. “You know I only want happiness for you. And if he makes you happy…”
Tash held her gaze, appealing to her loving nature with his eyes. He desperately wanted her approval. Valerie was the one who’d sat up nights with him after Danny’s death, when Tash’s world rose up so bleak and dark he never dreamed he’d be able to climb out of that void of despair. She’d stayed with him, held him as he cried, and helped him find, then mend the pieces of his shattered life.
“He makes me happy, and somehow, I make him happy too, though I pushed him away at first.”
“Your brother is persistent, but I refused to listen. ‘No’ isn’t a word I respond well to.” Still holding Tash’s hand, Brandon gave it a firm squeeze.
From the skeptical look in Valerie’s eyes, Tash could see she remained unconvinced. “You say you’re in it for the long haul. I wonder if you understand exactly what that means. I see you care for my brother. That’s all I can hope for.” Her smile was sweetly deceptive. “Of course if you break his heart, I’ll come after you with all the wrath of the harpies.”
Tash knew how violently overprotective she could be. Brandon swallowed hard. “I only want to make him happy.”
“Good. Then we both want the same thing.”
“The two of you are standing here discussing me as if I’m a marble statue. This relationship isn’t one-sided, you know. I have Luke and Ash watching me like hawks to make sure I don’t hurt Brandon as well.” He turned to Brandon. “Valerie works for Luke. She’s his personal assistant.”
“One big happy family,” Brandon quipped.
“We are. And I can’t imagine how happy Luke is to have you back.” Val’s caring nature kicked in then. “Where were you for all those years? I know they’ve been looking forever for you.” Her eyes grew misty. “I can’t even imagine how you all felt when you first saw each other. It’s like a movie. Come get a cup of coffee with me and tell me a little about yourself.” She hooked her arm in Brandon’s and pulled him away to the back.
Seeing his sister and Brandon chatting together completed a happiness circle that had once seemed impossible. It had nothing to do with the physical, although Brandon had ignited a sexual hunger Tash hadn’t known he possessed. It was the joy of togetherness—having someone to share the mundane with, and have it made special simply because it was the two of them. It flowed through him now, unchecked and uninhibited, like the shower of rain from a summer storm.
It didn’t hit him like a thunderclap or make him want to shout to the sky. Perhaps age brought wisdom, or maybe it was the cautious knowledge of how easily love and devotion can fade, leaving only the outline of a memory. He held his love for Brandon close, unwilling to share with anyone yet, even Brandon. This had never happened before to him, this instant attraction, the quick journey to love. It startled Tash, forcing him to question himself.
Yet hearing his sister and his lover share a laugh, he knew what was real and began to rebuild the trust in himself to believe what he knew in his heart. Itwaslove he felt for Brandon, not lust. It didn’t matter what other people thought. He knew what was true. As if he sensed Tash’s scrutiny, Brandon caught his eye and winked, giving him a slow smile that set his blood on fire. Tash couldn’t wait for tonight, when he would hold Brandon in his arms and make love to him.
The front door opened, and Luke and Jordan, along with Ash and Drew, walked in. They hung up their coats and grabbed coffee and headed to the back to greet Valerie and Brandon. With the addition of their presence, the center hummed with activity. Not for the first time Tash couldn’t help but wonder where he’d be without this group of people. They’d managed to invade his life and at the same time gave him a reason to want to start living again. His attention gravitated to Brandon, who now was engaged in a lively discussion about the Yankees with Drew and Luke.
He joined the group, and they headed to the back where the conference room was located. After they were seated around the long table, to his surprise, Brandon was the first to speak.
“I have two students from my school coming today around noon. They’re the ones I mentioned before. I wanted them to have a safe environment where they can study and get all the help they need. My plan is to work with them today.”
“I have Johnny working with Troy on the gun buy-back program.” Tash addressed both Jordan and Drew. “He showed up early and indicated he wanted to learn about computers, and I know Troy is good with them.”
Jordan nodded his approval. “Troy is a great choice to work with Johnny. He’s been where that kid was and is proof how far someone can go with hard work and dedication.”
“These kids need people to have faith in them and show that there is hope.” Drew’s brows knit together. “I wonder if Troy might want to be the office manager at the clinic now that Marly and Steve are going to be busy with college starting next September. I know they won’t be able to put in as many hours because of schoolwork.”
“That’s a great idea,” said Luke. “I know he’s close to finding housing, and this might tip it over the edge for him to get out of the shelter.”
