“Okay, good. Now go before I change my mind and lock you all up.”
They got out of their chairs.
“Don’t think I will forget either.” Cubby’s words followed them out the door of the Lair.
“What do you think he’ll do?” Lani asked.
“Not sure, and I’m too tired to think,” Brad said.
They walked back across the street as the first streaks of dawn filtered through the Redwoods. Buster went back to the Hoot. Once they reached the parking behind the shops, Brad and Ethan jumped in a car, then with a wave they were gone.
“Okay, so see you,” Lani said to Noah as she opened the back door of the shop and Buddy sprinted out and leapt at her.
“Settle down.” Noah grabbed his collar and held him back. “You’ll knock your owner over if you keep that up.”
“Thanks, but he’s all good, I don’t mind.”
“You ever had a dog before?”
She shook her head, and he filed another piece of information that was the Lani Sullivan puzzle away inside his head.
“Thanks for coming tonight. I didn’t want you involved, but I am grateful. I’ve also been thinking about what you said the other day, about losing the baby.”
He needed to thank her for that too. Her words had started him thinking and made him face up to the fact he held a lot of resentment inside him. “I talked to Faith about it yesterday. Really talked.”
“That’s good to hear.”
She didn’t back away when he moved closer and picked up one of her hands.
“She listened, then punched me hard in the shoulder for not telling her sooner.”
“It must be nice to have someone like that in your life.”
“If you ever need to talk to anyone, Lani, you know I’m here.”
“I know, and thanks.”
He gave her fingers a little tug, and she ended up pressed into his chest.
“This is a bad idea.”
“And yet it feels like a good one.” He lowered his head. “A really, really good one.”
The kiss was like the others but had something more to it. Noah knew later he’d put the label “emotion” on it. For now, he just wanted her in his arms.
“I don’t know what this is, Lani, but it feels good.” He rested his forehead on hers. “Promise me you’ll stay around a while. Promise me you won’t leave without telling me.”
He would normally run a mile before asking someone this, but he’d changed since they’d talked. Opening up had unlocked something inside him, and the thought of Lani leaving Lake Howling was really unsettling.
“I promise.”
He exhaled with relief. If she promised, he knew she’d keep her word.
“As much as I want to take you up those stairs and strip you naked, I know Mrs. C will be arriving soon.”
“You really shouldn’t speak like that.”
“No one but Buddy heard, and I’m sure he’ll keep it to himself.”
