Wondering if it was Shane knocking, I went to the door and opened it.
That wasn’t Shane. “Branden.”
“My car died. I’ve called the auto club. They’ve towed it to a shop, but the shop won’t get to it until tomorrow morning. I hate to impose, but…”
“Of course you can stay here.” Stepping aside, I waved my brother inside. Leaning close, I whispered, “But what about the home? Will you get into trouble?”
He smiled at me. “Taken care of. I called in. All I have to do is show them the receipt from the garage and a short note from you, stating that I stayed with you.”
“Sure. I can do that.”
Jill cleared her throat, and his gaze shot to her.
Jill’s eyes twinkled.
My brother’s eyes twinkled.
It seemed I was witnessing some chemistry.
I hoped Branden really was sober, for Jill’s sake.
I motioned toward Jill. “Branden, I’m sure you remember my friend Jill.”
“Jill?” Strolling over to her, he extended a hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Yes. Good to see you too.” Her gaze wandered up and down his tall frame as they shook hands. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes. Years.”
He was still holding her hand.
Feeling like the third wheel, I grabbed my half-eaten dinner and quietly headed to my room. I wasn’t convinced my brother had completely turned his life around yet. Even if what he said was true, he was only one year sober. Plenty of addicts went back to drinking after just a year of sobriety. He couldn’t be ready for a serious relationship, which was what Jill was looking for. But I wasn’t going to get in the way if they wanted to get reacquainted.
Jill’s high-pitched laughter echoed in the hall. When Branden had been sober, he had been a lot of fun. He had a silly sense of humor and was intelligent. I had not only loved the boy he had been before he’d taken that first drink. I had also liked him. I liked spending time with him, laughing, playing, sharing secrets and dreams. Although I loved the man he’d been after, I didn’t like him. All the good things about my brother had been swallowed up by his addiction. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could finally have him back the way he was?
In my room, I poked around on the internet on my phone, checking out bridal registry information and wedding chapels and ate my dinner.
It hit me then, as I was looking at pictures of happy couples, brides and grooms. I was going to get married.
I was marrying Shane.
A little niggle of something in my belly made me pause. Was I making the mistake of a lifetime, like Jill thought? As much as I suffered when I was away from Shane, would that be enough? Would that inexplicable draw be strong enough to last a lifetime?
God, was I scared.
My phone rang. It was Shane’s ringtone. I poked the button.
“Hi, minx.”
Ah, that low rumbly voice. Just like that, I felt all the tension and unease melt away. Maybe I was worrying unnecessarily. Perhaps we had more going for us than some transient emotion.
“Shane.” I felt myself smiling.
“I have something for you. Can I bring it over?”
Last time he’d come to my place, he’d let himself in uninvited. By calling ahead of time, he was showing me some respect. “Sure.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
Five minutes.
I hustled into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, fluffed my hair and cleaned up a bit. By the time I was done, Shane was knocking on the front door.
I scurried past Branden and Jill making out on the couch. They worked fast.
Quietly, I opened the door.
Shane looked amazing, as usual. It blew my mind, how quickly I forgot how handsome he was. He beamed at me then slid a glance at the action going on behind me. He scowled. “Maybe we should go somewhere else, where we can have some privacy? This won’t take long.”
“Sure. Let me grab my purse.” I went back to my bedroom, got my purse from the drawer and crept out. Jill and Branden were oblivious to my leaving. I locked them in.
As we headed out, Shane took my hand in his. It was a sweet gesture, one he hadn’t done before. I glanced down at our joined hands.
“I missed you,” he explained.
“It hasn’t been that long.” Stopping beside his car, I turned my back to the vehicle.
He leaned into me. “An hour is too long. Fifteen minutes is too long.”
He was being corny. I liked it. “Where are we going?” I asked as I slipped into the passenger seat of his zoomy black car.
“Just taking a little drive.” After closing my door, he hustled around the vehicle to slip into his seat. He shot me a bone-melting smile then started the car. Off we went. Westbound. Shane placed a hand on my knee as he drove. The touch felt right. Better than right.
I tucked one leg underneath my butt and turned to face him. “You’re quiet. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” The car turned. We weren’t far from my mother’s old place. “I thought you’d like to see the progress on the house.”
“I saw it not too long ago.”
“The crew has been working hard.” We pulled into the driveway, and he cut off the engine. He lifted an index finger then got out and opened my door. Acting a bit strange--tense and anxious--he took my hand in his again and led me up the front walk. He unlocked the door, opened it.
I stepped inside.
It was different.
It was beautiful.
“Ohmygod,” I said as I gaped, my eyes jumping from one thing to another. The foyer and living room were still in the same place, but everything else about them was changed. The floor in the foyer was some kind of stone tile. White with grey veins, maybe marble. The walls were a crisp white. The intricate staircase railing was stained a dark brown, almost black. Overhead hung a crystal chandelier, not too big, not too small.
“What do you think?” Shane led me to the left, into the living room. There were some walls missing, making the space feel more open. I could see straight back to the open concept kitchen.
“This is gorgeous. How did you get it done so quickly?”
“It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you hire the right people. Just tell me you like it.”
“I love it. Love, love, love it. Wow.” I meandered into the living room, letting my hand run across the back of the couch. The fabric was soft. Really soft.
“I want to show you something else.” Gently, he pulled me toward the kitchen which didn’t resemble the old kitchen in any way. Where the old one had been tired looking and slightly dingy, the new fixtures, appliances and finishings were sparkling clean, gorgeous. The counter was a stone of some kind, smooth, cool to the touch. “This way.” Continuing on, he headed for a set of French doors. We stepped outside into an oasis. I was standing on a deck that hadn’t existed just a few short weeks ago. Above my head was a wood pergola structure, and stretched out in front of me was a well-manicured garden, newly landscaped with trees, flowers and lush grass.