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“Aw, double dates in your future, then, boys?” Connor quips, and I smirk. I’m relieved he has no interest in Lacy, even though I initially had reservations about that fact.
“Smart-ass. Just wait your turn,” Tanner says with a chuckle, and I smile.
“What turn?” Connor huffs. He’s never said anything, but he seems to like the single life.
“Your turn to be pussy-whipped,” Tanner says, pointing at him.
“Never going to happen,” Connor says, shaking his head like he is having the last laugh.
“Gee, I look forward to the day some woman puts you on your ass,” I tell him, grinning.
“Lacy is pretty independent.” Connor smirks before lifting his drink to his lips.
“She’s smart too. Funny, caring, sexy as hell,” I finish for him, smiling as I think about her while Tanner’s hard stare hasn’t wavered.
“Are you sure?” Tanner asks, and Connor looks at his father before looking back at me.
“I’m sure. I want her and I’m pretty sure she wants me.” Lacy doesn’t have a father in her life, and while Tanner isn’t overly close with her, he is her boss and his girlfriend is best friends with Lacy, so I know he takes the care of her seriously.
“Good to see you back into dating,” Connor says.
“Took me long enough.” I smile, happy about my connection with Lacy and comfortable with how things are going, even though the conversation with Melody left a bad taste in my mouth.
“I think Dad holds that record,” Connor jokes, and I laugh as Tanner grumbles.
“Fuck off, the both of you,” Tanner murmurs, which has us both laughing even more.
“Pretty nice bunch of roses you sent her this week. Must have cost you a pretty penny,” Connor says, and my smile falters.
“Roses?” I ask, my eyes narrowing, and his cheekiness mellows.
“Lacy got a flower delivery. We all thought it was from you.”
“Not this time. I know she likes the roses in the distillery garden, so I never sent any…” I say, suddenly feeling off. If she isn’t getting flowers from me, who the hell is sending her flowers?
“When did they arrive?” I ask, knowing Lacy has been off for a little bit lately, especially after witnessing her reaction to whatever she checked on her phone.
“The morning before her mom’s hospital appointment,” Connor says, and I look at Tanner, seeing him frowning.
“She has never had a delivery of that nature before,” Tanner murmurs, and I shake my head. None of it makes sense.
I clear my throat. “It was probably from a friend,” I say, my stomach feeling heavy, knowing that Lacy isn’t seeing anyone else. But I know she is keeping something from me, and I need to figure out what that is.
“Well, we have the New York trip for Lacy coming up,” Connor mentions, trying to change the subject slightly.
“About this New York trip…” I start, because I have been meaning to talk to them both about it. And especially now. The next few months are not going to be great for Lacy, and I want to do everything I can to make her smile. I just wish I knew what was going on so I could fix it.
26
LACY
Ilook around the room. I feel a bit cold, but I take a deep breath and put my big girl panties on. I left Mom in the care of Jennifer this morning, after she made me a nice bowl of warm oats while I got ready, acting like the auntie I never had. It has been about a week since she came into our lives, and already there is a difference. I don’t feel as rushed; I don’t feel like I need to do everything, and my stress levels have lowered. Mom is happier, too. Jennifer shares her love for romance books, so I think they talk for hours about that.
I sped out the door this morning to get here, my usual Saturday routine disrupted to come to Williamstown to donate blood for the first time.
Hudson wanted to drive me, but I needed to do this on my own. Something he wasn’t happy about, so he arranged a car and driver to bring me. I couldn’t refute it because the shiny new car pulled up in my driveway just as I was walking out the door. His timing is impeccable.
“Well, this is not what I was expecting this morning.”