“I wanted you to know I meant it.”

One of his arms stayed wrapped around my waist, the other hand slid into my hair and his mouth came to mine. “You’re clear,” he said against my lips.

“Clear?”

“You just cleared all your debt.”

Oh… my… God.

“Really?” I asked.

He nodded.

He was The Best Guy Ever.

“You’re still makin’ yourself come while I’m inside you tonight.”

Oh yeah, I was definitely going to be doing that and I was looking forward to it.

I licked my lips which meant I licked his lips and his eyes went ink.

“Fuck, you’re somethin’ else,” he muttered and I could tell he meant this in a good way, a very good way and happy vibes shot through me.

“You don’t think I’m weak and spineless for not standing up to my sisters?”

“Been wanting to say a few things to them for years, so no. I’m f**kin’ glad you gave me the opportunity.”

I love you, I thought but did not say.

Something shifted on his face as I thought this but whatever it was I couldn’t read it. Whatever it was, it was profound, it was raw and it was beautiful. I could swear he guessed my thoughts and he liked them.

My knees gave out and he took my weight without a word said between us.

After a few beats, my voice sounding husky, I said, “You better go.”

“Yeah. Be safe, be smart and don’t let them give you any shit.”

“Okay,” I said again. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I told him.

“Babe.” He gave me a half-grin, thankfully breaking the moment, right before he touched his lips to mine. I pressed in, my arms sliding around his neck and his lip touch turned into a full on make out session.

Then he let me go, set me on my jelly legs, rounded the car, got in and he was gone.

I walked back into my house and when I got into the living room I knew everyone had been watching.

Mrs. Stark was smiling at me, huge and happy.

Surprisingly, my Mom was too.

Marilyn and Sofia looked jealous as all hell.

That made me smile.

“All righty then,” I declared. “Breakfast.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Manipulate a Macho Man Underwear

Breakfast went my way because Marilyn and Sofia were mostly silent, probably half-afraid to say anything, half-pouting. Mom was silent too at first, but she didn’t seem to be pouting, she seemed to be thinking. For the most part, Mrs. Stark and I gabbed and giggled then Mom joined in and surprisingly I had a great time.

While we were on our last cup of coffee I excused myself and called Shirleen to come and get me. I went back to the table, we left the restaurant, again, Le Peep in Cherry Creek (and granola pancakes, without the bacon this time) and I gave out hugs to Marilyn and Sofia (you could tell their hearts weren’t in it, but then again, neither was mine) and Mrs. Stark (her heart was definitely in it). Marilyn and Sofia wandered away as I gave my house key to Mom.

“I’m worried about you,” she told me.

This statement startled me and my eyes caught hers. She looked genuinely concerned and this rocked me mainly because I’d never seen that look on Mom’s face before.

“I’m fine,” I told her.

She shook her head then put her arms around me. I went stiff because her hug seemed genuine too.

“Ava, I want you to know, I didn’t mention George because… well, because of the reasons Marilyn and Sofia thought I did,” she whispered in my ear. “I mentioned him because he was steady, he cared about you and he would never leave you.”

Erm… what? My Mom cared? About me?

Ho-ly shit.

Maybe I was in an alternate universe.

I felt my throat get tight. “Mom –”

Her arms tensed and she pulled me deeper into her. She held me for a bit then let me go but placed her hands on my upper arms and looked me directly in the eyes. Hers were wet. Because of that, mine got wet too.

Hell and damnation.

“From what I saw today, Luke’s the same way. More,” she said quietly and her hands squeezed my arms. “It’s obvious he’s cut up about whatever’s going on with you. I’m glad. Not that he’s cut up but because you need a man who cares that much. I’m happy for you, sweetie.”

Oh… my… God.

I couldn’t help myself, I pulled her in my arms and held on tight while I deep breathed. She did the same thing.

We let go and she touched my face then said, “I hope Luke gets this sorted so we can have a nice family dinner tonight. I’ll talk with Marilyn and Sofia, it’ll be okay.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said and, maybe for the first time in my life, I meant it.

She kissed my cheek and then walked to Mrs. Stark, who was looking away but wiping her face and I knew she had heard. I stood and watched as they went to their cars. Mom and Mrs. Stark stood beside Mrs. Stark’s Audi and it looked like they were settling in for a chat.

I left them to it and went to the local Starbuck’s where I had arranged for Shirleen to come and get me and I got myself a skinny vanilla latte. I decided I would think about this latest life revelation later when I had Sissy and cookies drenched in tequila.

Or, better yet, Luke, a warm bed and a dark room.

That thought made me smile as I walked out of Starbuck’s.

Shirleen’s Navigator was at the curb, Tex was in the passenger seat and he jumped out when he saw me.

“Hey Tex, did you win any euchre…?” I stopped talking when he snatched my cup right out of my hand and threw it in a trash bin.

“This family don’t do Starbuck’s,” he boomed and then turned and shouted at Shirleen. “The girl needs coffee! Fortnum’s! Now!”

Eek!

* * * * *

The Rock Chicks all met at Fortnum’s except Indy and Ally who were off to some prison to interview one of Noah’s friends who’d managed to acquire a five year state accommodated stay.

Ally hadn’t gotten “some” info out of Brody, he sang like a canary under the influence of Red Bull and vodka (ee-yikes!).

Unfortunately, Lee and the Hot Bunch knew that Brody wasn’t exactly discreet so they hadn’t shared much. What they did share was that they’d tracked down both of Noah’s buddies, one was in prison, the other one Brody didn’t have information on.

Ally also learned that Noah had a gazillion aliases but the name he was born with was Walter Ellis. He was wanted in Nevada and California and he’d been on the con practically since babydom. For a percentage of the con, Noah’s informant (now wiling away his days fashioning license plates and likely shivs), would troll legal records pointing Noah in the direction of malpractice payoffs and highish stakes inheritances. Nothing too big so as to fly under radar, but nothing too small that wouldn’t be worth the effort.