Page 73 of Let You Love Me

“It’s already leaking in a couple of spots, nothing too bad, but enough that if we get a huge storm, I’m worried about the integrity of it. The roofer said the leaks are new, and so as long as we nip them in the bud, they don’t pose a mold risk. He’ll remove the entire thing and replace some of the damaged plywood on the water damaged parts. Then once he’s finished, I found a drywaller to patch the ceilings where they’ve leaked. Like I said, it just needs a little TLC.”

I nod, but my mind is working overtime, focused on the idea of her going to this house alone and meeting a contractor. I know he’s a professional and so he’s most likely trustworthy, but after what happened to my sister, I trust no one.

I shift on my feet, angling my body toward hers and taking a defensive posture as I cross my arms over my chest. “So, you and Soph are going to the housealoneto meet this contractor? Is it just him or a team of guys?”

Not that I’m sure it makes a difference. Either way, I can’t stomach the thought of her going by herself, though I’m not sure how she’ll react to my concern. Will she take offense? Think I’m controlling or overprotective?

She lifts a shoulder. “Since he’s not doing any work, I’m sure it’ll just be him. But he’s a friend of the family. It’s probably the only reason he agreed to meet me outside of normal work hours. Why?”

Friend or not, meeting her outside of work hours is just another reason to be suspicious.

Knox was a friend once, too.

“I don’t like it,” I say, bracing for an argument.

Her brows rise, and it’s a moment before she says, “Wait. Are you worried about me being alone with him? The guy is harmless. My parents have known him for years. Besides, I met him myself the first time around, too. Single, working, college mom, remember?”

And your father was okay with that?I want to ask but don’t. I have no doubt my line of questioning won’t go over well. She’s not a child; she’s very much a grown, capable woman. Of that, I’m well aware.

But still . . .

I don’t like the idea of her meeting him alone at night.

I tug on the back of my neck, contemplating my next move and how I can assert myself into the situation without coming off as overbearing.

Fuck it. There’s no tiptoeing around what I want.

“I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you let me go with you.”

She stares at me for a moment, forehead furrowing as my words sink in. “You want to spend the Friday night before your away game hanging out with my daughter and protecting me from harmless contractors?”

Sounds perfect.

“I mean, that’s what I want, yeah.” I shrug, and she shakes her head slowly.

“Butwhy?”

I can’t tell if she thinks I’m crazy or if she’s in disbelief or . . .

Before she can refuse me, I step forward and grab her hands, threading her delicate fingers through mine—God, we fit so perfectly—as I look her in the eyes. “I was hoping we could hang out, anyway. But knowing you’re meeting this guy—some stranger—alone, worries me. My twin sister was assaulted in high school, and it haunts me every fucking day that I didn’t stop it, that I wasn’t there for her. So,please, even if my worries are in vain, let me tag along?”

She sucks in a breath, and emotion flickers in the blue depths of her eyes. “Oh, I—I’m sorry.” She squeezes my hands. “But you know whatever happened wasn’t your fault any more than it was hers, right?”

I clench my jaw, saying nothing because the truth is, I don’t know what the fuck to think. Part of me does still harbor a little bit of guilt over that night. How could I not when years later, it turns out I not only knew her attacker, but he was one of my closest friends? I should’ve kept an eye on her that night. I should’ve noticed when she slipped away from the dance to meet him.

The thought curdles my stomach.

I might not be able to change the past, but I can change the future. So, I focus on Lane and convincing her to let me help because it’s not lost on me that she still hasn’t agreed.

“I can entertain Sophie while you’re talking to him,” I say, ignoring her question entirely. “That way, you won’t be interrupted.”

Her eyes search mine, and I let her read me because I have nothing to hide. “All right,” she says after a moment.

I blink. “All right? I can go?”

I don’t know why I thought she’d put up more of a fight. Maybe because I’ve been seeing her so much lately as it is, or because she’s so fiercely independent and hellbent on doing everything herself?

“Yeah. If you want to come, it’ll be fun.” She glances down to the jersey she’s scrubbing with a private smile and adds, “I’m actually planning on spending the night there, so that tomorrow, I can get up and start prepping walls for paint. I planned on doing it while watching the game. You can even stay after I put her to bed, if you want?”