I laugh, and she smiles, too, her earlier embarrassment gone as she sips her beer.
I raise my bottle in a toast and say, “Here’s to everyone loving you as much as my mom did.”
“Pffft, you’re exaggerating. She wasn’t that impressed.”
“I don’t exaggerate. She said you’re perfect for me, which is basically the best compliment my mother can give.”
Lena smiles again, her lips curving, stealing my attention. My bottle taps my teeth. “Only because she thinks her son is perfect. How well does she know you?”
“Your implication wounds me.”
“You’re the one who keeps coming back to expectations.”
“Yeah. Guess she’s happy I’m finally settling down with someone who isn’t made of drama,” I admit. “But she has standards. My mother wouldn’t be happy if it was just anyone.”
“Minus the fact that she was pulling for Nancy, you mean?”
“Nancy was a political choice, and an old family friend. They never put much thought into it.”
“Hmm.” Lena traces the rim of the bottle with her lips, thinking. “Do they really not see it? The entitlement on that bitch?”
“It’s complicated.” I sigh, because thinking about Nancy never puts me in a good mood. “They’re just concerned about appearances over everything. They saw an easy solution and ran with it.”
“That’s a fancy way of saying they either don’t notice or don’t care.”
“Can’t argue with that. My parents will never be normal, and I think you know that.” I lean over, my lips close to hers. “Happy now?”
“Brady.” She eyes me thoughtfully, heat staining her cheeks red.
“Yes?”
“You kept talking about safety first and precautions.”
“What about them?” If she’s going to fight me on this, she’s about to lose.
“What do they involve?”
Spending every second of every day in your company. Preferably with empty balls.
Unhealthy. Stupid.
Yet tempting just the same.
“Why?” I ask carefully.
“Because I thought, if you wanted to—and there’s no pressure—maybe you’d want to spend the night here.” Her blush strays down her neck. “I know my place isn’t fancy, and the bed isn’t like imported Egyptian cotton, but—”
Before she can finish the sentence, she’s over my shoulder.
If she wants a lumberjack, I willgiveher one tonight.
“Brady! Are you serious?” she squeals.
“So serious, I waited for this all day,” I growl.
“Even after this morning?”
“Especiallyafter this morning. You think I didn’t want to follow you into the bathroom at Wendy’s house and clean you up with my tongue?”
