“Darling,” Mrs. Silva cooed, rushing over to Heather and wrapping her in a hug. “We were worried. Why didn’t you call us tocome get you?”
“I’m sorry, Mom, Dad.” She hugged her father then Charlotte. “Things were crazy and I was more than a little overwhelmed. I let Scott take care of me and handle everything.”
“How are you feeling now?” Charlotte asked.
“And why didn’t you come home?” Her mother’s posture was stiff, her arms crossed tightlyover her chest.
Tugging on a button of his shirt, she said, “I’m better. Scott offered to let me stay here since I obviously couldn’t go back to my house.”
Tears filled her eyes and he wanted to rush over, hold her. Her sister filled in for him.
“I brought you stuff to wear,” Charlotte said, holding up a bag she’d brought in with her. It had the Silvaggio’s name on it. “Figured you wouldn’t havemuch with you.”
“We would have been here sooner except Charlotte insisted on stopping at the downtown store to get you these.” A frown appeared as he glanced at his youngest daughter.
Scott searched Heather’s face to see if she was embarrassed to be found in his apartment, wearing his shirt. It didn’t appear that way.
“Thank you, Char,” Heather said, taking the bag from her sister. “I think I’ll get dressed if everyonedoesn’t mind.”
“I’ll come with you,” Charlotte answered, her impish grin directedat her parents.
Great, that left him alone with Heather’s parents. From the curious look on Charlotte’s face it might be a while before Heather satisfied her sister’s questions.
“Can I offer you some coffee, Mr. and Mrs. Silva?”
Heather’s dad sighed and nodded. “I’d love some. And please, it’s Domenicand Nicoletta.”
Moving his hands to indicate they should sit on the couch, Scott shuffled toward the kitchen. The T-shirt was still in his hands so he pulled it over his head and began to make coffee. Looked like round four was being postponed due to interference. Damn.
* * * *
“Thanks for bringing me something to wear,” Heather said as they entered Scott’s bedroom. “I was wearing a tank and shorts. They’re coveredin burn holes.”
Charlotte glanced around. “A girl’s got to have something better to wear than—” She pointed to Scott’s shirt that Heather had grabbed when she’d heard her dad’s voice. “Although you are totally rocking the boyfriend look.”?Plopping on the bed, Heather reached in the bag taking out a sundress, shorts, a few tops, and half a dozen pair of lacy underwear. A pair of strappy flat sandals rested at the bottom of the bag.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for so I gota few things.”
After pulling the tags off, she slid the panties up her legs then took off Scott’s shirt. Charlotte’s gasp had her looking over her shoulder to where her sister gaped at her back. The burns. She’d forgotten they were there. Well, she hadn’t actually forgotten, but many other things took precedence overa little sting.
“Scott pulled us out in time, but we got hit with the blast. They’re minor, though, so don’t worry.”
Her sister’s expression was still one of concern as Heather slipped into the sundress. It was light and airy and didn’t cling too much to her damaged skin. Although it certainly was short. Charlotte always did like to show a little leg. Hers were spectacular.
“No bra, huh?” She peeked inthe bag again.
“Sorry.” Charlotte grinned and looked down at her own small chest. “I never think along those lines.”
The sisters weren’t that dissimilar in height, but even though Heather was thin, she had some meat on her bones. Charlotte was wisplike and ethereal, almost fragile. A heart condition had kept her from being too physically active. Their parents had basically spoiled her growing up. Even more than Scott thoughtshewas spoiled.
“So, how was it?”
Turning, she tilted her head at Charlotte’s question. “How was what? Getting my house blown up?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “No, sex with the stud out there.”
Heat rushed to her face and she turned away to buckle one of the sandals. “Who says we had sex?”
“There’s only one bedroom.”
