“You’re not mad?” His hands settle on my hips.
Mad at what?That he went out of his way, took it upon himself to protect me? He did it because he cares about me, wants me safe. I could never be mad at him for that.
I shake my head and kiss him again. “I’m not mad.”
“Good.” He clears his throat. “That’s good, because I need to talk to you about something.”
Easing back, I lower into my chair. “All ears.”
“I heard from my family today.” He runs a hand over his brow. “The idiots ignored my texts for two days because they were on a road trip. Here.”
“Here?”
“About an hour out, yeah.”
“Your mom and your sister are?—”
“And my best friend.”
“They’re coming here?”
He nods, looking exasperated. “Mom said she wanted to come to Pops’ service and she thought it would be fun to surprise me.”
“And your face tells me you don’t like this surprise?”
He scowls. “She pushed her consultation with her doctor and she’s gonna miss a week of therapy. And now I have to find a place for them to stay.”
The realization hits me: there’s not enough room for all of us at the lake house.
“No,” I rush out. “Don’t do that. I can just?—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence. Nothing changes. We have four nights left and I’m not giving them up.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, equal parts dread and anticipation taking flight in my belly. “Okay then, what aboutthe city house?”
“Can’t. Realtor has showings lined up every day.” Before I can run down the list of alternatives, he goes on. “And the generator for the camper is broken. I think I need to just find them a hotel in town and?—”
“They can stay at my house.” I cut in. He opens his mouth to object, but I stop him. “If Dubs doesn’t mind sleeping on the couch and your mom and sister are cool to share the guest bed, then we can all stay there together.”
“I can’t let you do that. Dubs alone could land us all in the psychiatric ward.”
I laugh. “I insist. Unless you’re worried about sharing a bed with me under the same roof as your mother.”
He glares. “I’m thirty-one, Hannah.”
“Exactly. So there’s nothing to worry about.”
“You’re serious?”
My forehead knits together and I take his hand. “Yes, Rowan, I’m serious. I mean, if you think it’s weird for me to spend time with your family given our…circumstances, I’ll respect that, but?—”
“No, baby, that’s not it.” His gaze softens.
“Okay then, slumber party of five commences tonight.”
He finally smiles, dimples popping. I’m yanked to my feet as he hauls me into his chest for another kiss. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah, send ‘em all to my house. You know where my key is.”