Chapter 15
“You didn’t have to come with me, Luke,” Jane said as he drove toward the care home.
“I want to,” he said.
“No, you wanted to spend the weekend in bed.”
“Only if you were with me,” he replied with a lecherous grin.
She bit at her bottom lip. It was after three on Saturday, and she and Luke had spent all morning in bed together. Luke was sleeping deeply when she slipped out of bed for a quick shower. She always went to see Mama J on Saturday, and despite her desire to stay in Luke’s warm bed, she wanted to see her foster mother.
She’d only been in the shower for a few minutes when Luke had joined her. As soon as he discovered her plans, he insisted on coming with her. She was both surprised and happy by his insistence.
As he pulled into the parking lot, she said, “Are you sure? You could drop me off, and I’ll take the bus back to your place when I’m finished visiting.”
“I’m sure,” he said. “I like Mama J and enjoy visiting with her. Unless you don’t want me there?”
He gave her an uncertain look, and she shook her head. “No, I want you there.”
“Good. Let’s go see Mama J,” Luke said.
They climbed out of the car, and she didn’t object when he took her hand as they walked toward the care home. What was happening would be finished by tomorrow night, and just because Luke was affectionate and sweet, it didn’t change anything. She needed her job.
She tried to let go of his hand when they entered the home, but he refused to let go. He smiled at Bev at the front desk. “Good afternoon, Bev. It’s good to see you again. You’re looking lovely.”
The older woman giggled like a schoolgirl. “Nice to see you too, Luke.”
“Hello, Bev,” Jane said.
“Oh, hi, hon. How are you?”
“Good. Is Mama J in her room?”
“She is,” Bev said. “She’s having a good day today.”
Jane breathed a sigh of relief and hurried down the hall as Luke followed her. She knocked on the door and opened it. Mama J was sitting next to the window, and she smiled at Jane.
“Hello, my sweet Janie.”
“Hello, Mama J.” She dropped Luke’s hand and leaned over Mama J, kissing her soft cheek before giving her a gentle hug.
Mama J returned her hug before smiling at Luke. “Hi there, young man.”
“Hello, Josephine. My name is -”
“Luke,” Mama J said. “I remember. Your Janie’s boyfriend.”
“That’s right, I am,” Luke said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too,” Mama J replied. “What are you two kids up to today?”
“Not too much,” Jane said. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel good. My hip hurts a little, but Bev gave me some meds earlier,” Mama J said. “Luke, you should take my Janie out for dinner. She spends too much time here. She’s young and shouldn’t spend all her time with an old woman like me.”
“Stop that, Mama J,” Jane scolded gently. “I love spending time with you.”
“I love spending time with you, too,” Josephine said. “But my Walter used to take me for dinner every Saturday night. There was this little diner on Westwood Street, and we would go and sit in the last booth. I would order a vanilla milkshake, large of course, and Walter would roll his eyes and tease me because he would always have to finish it.”
She patted Jane’s face. “I miss Walter.”
“I know, Mama J,” Jane said.
“I’ll see him soon.” Mama J wiped away the tears on Jane’s cheeks with her thumbs. “Luke, take Jane out to dinner.”
“Actually,” Luke said. “I was wondering if both of you beautiful young ladies would accompany me for dinner this evening.”
Jane pressed her lips together and tried not to burst into tears as a look of pure joy crossed Mama J’s face. Josephine clapped her hands like a small child. “It’s been so long since I’ve gone out for dinner.”
She paused and then shook her head. “But I can’t intrude on your Saturday night date.”
“I insist,” Luke said. “I’m taking Jane to a little diner on Westwood Street, and we would both love it if you joined us. We need someone to tell us what’s good on the menu.”
“Please, Mama J,” Jane said. “We want you to join us.”
Mama J’s smile widened. “I would love to come for dinner. Janie, help me to get dressed and put on my face, would you?”
Luke headed for the door. “I’ll wait for you in the common room.”
“Thank you, Luke,” Jane said.
He paused in the doorway and gave her the grin she had grown to love. “You’re welcome, Jane.”
* * *
“How is the milkshake, Josephine?”Luke asked.
Mama J smiled at him. “Delicious, Luke. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He squeezed Jane’s hand and leaned back in the booth as Mama J stared at the two of them. She hadn’t eaten much of her burger and fries, but she’d drank a fair amount of her vanilla shake.
He studied the diner as Jane urged her foster mom to eat more. The restaurant wasn’t his usual type of place. The red leather of the booths was old and faded, with rips and butt imprints firmly worn into the seats. The restaurant wasn’t very big, the waitress not very friendly, and he was confident the place would fail its next health inspection, but the food was surprisingly good.
Of course, he wouldn’t be surprised if he and Jane ended up with food poisoning tomorrow. He grimaced inwardly. Not exactly how he wanted to spend his last day with her, but the look on Jane’s face and Mama J’s made the possible food poisoning worth it. He’d never seen Jane look so happy, and as she smiled up at him, he leaned down and kissed her mouth impulsively. He could taste the chicken pot pie she was eating on her lips, and he kissed her again before straightening.
Josephine was grinning at them, and Jane flushed a little as the old woman leaned forward and said, “Your husband is a real sweetheart, Janie.”
“He’s not my husband, Mama J,” Jane said.
Josephine frowned at them. “Why, of course, he is. Don’t speak so foolishly.”
Jane took Mama J’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “I think you’re a bit mixed up. Luke and I aren’t married.”
Josephine yanked her hand away and scowled at Jane. “Don’t lie to me. You know I don’t like it when you lie to me!”
“I’m not,” Jane said. “Calm down and -”
“Don’t lie to me!”
Mama J’s voice was rising, and the few other customers in the diner looked their way. “Why would you lie about not being married? I was at the wedding.”
“You’re right, Mama J,” Luke said. “Jane and I are married. You were at the wedding.”
Mama J smiled triumphantly. “I know. For goodness sake, Janie, you shouldn’t be ashamed of being married.”
“I’m not,” Janie said.
Josephine leaned forward and gripped his hand. “You love my Janie, don’t you, boy? You love her, and you’re going to treat her well. Right?”
“Yes,” Luke said.
“Say it,” Mama J said agitatedly. “Say you love my Janie right now.”
“Mama J,” Jane said, “Why don’t you have more of your vanilla shake before it melts?”
“Say it,” Josephine repeated. “Say you love my Janie.”
“I love her,” Luke said.
Jane twitched against him as Mama J continued to glare at him. Before she could grow more upset, Luke turned to Jane.
“I love you, Jane.” He kissed her on the mouth.
Jane stared up at him, her cheeks red and her eyes bright. He kissed her again and said, “I love you.”
It was his turn to twitch when Jane whispered, “I love you too.”
Her cheeks flamed even more, and she looked at the table as Mama J smiled at the two of them. “You’re the sweetest couple ever. When are you going to make me a grandma?”
Luke barely heard her. His pulse was pounding in his ears, and his head was reeling. Did Jane mean what she said? Hell, did he mean what he said?
“Luke? When are you going to make me a grandma?” Mama J prompted. Her agitation had disappeared, and she was sipping contently at her shake again.
“Uh, soon,” he said, making Jane jerk against him again.
“Good,” Mama J said happily. “Janie, eat some more of your dinner. You’re too thin.”
* * *
Jane followedLuke into his bedroom. He’d been quiet and withdrawn since they took Mama J back to the care home. She was tired and starting to mix up her words, and Jane quickly tucked her into bed before kissing her goodbye. To her relief, Mama J hadn’t asked Luke about marriage or babies again and had just given him a weary goodbye.
“Luke?” She said as he stared out the window of his bedroom.
“Yeah?” He didn’t look at her.
“Thank you for tonight. I know the diner isn’t your type of place, but it meant a lot to Mama J to go there again.”
“You’re welcome.”
She chewed on her bottom lip for a few minutes before crossing to the bathroom. She gathered her toiletries and returned them to the bedroom before dumping them into her suitcase. She zipped it up as Luke said, “What are you doing?”
“I’ll head back to my place.” She kept her voice upbeat. “Thank you again for tonight. I’ll see you at work on Mon - oh!”
Luke had taken her arm, and he pulled her into his hard embrace before scowling at her. “Why are you leaving?”
“You’re upset with me,” she said.
“I’m not upset with you. Tonight was just,” he hesitated, “weird.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I know it was awkward when Mama J made you say what she did, and I apologize for that. Thank you for playing along. It helps when she’s starting to get agitated like that.”
“Why did you say it?” he asked.
“I – what?”
“Why did you say it back? Josephine didn’t tell you to say it.”
“Well, I – because I thought it would help calm her down,” Jane said.
He studied her closely before releasing her. “Right. Well, it worked.”
“It did.” She rubbed a shaking hand across her forehead as Luke turned and returned to the window.
She stared at her suitcase for a moment. She should have told him the truth. The moment the words “I love you” had crossed her lips in the diner, she knew they were true. She groaned inwardly and chewed again at her bottom lip. She was in love with Luke.
She took a deep breath and picked up her suitcase. It was best to get out of there before she made a fool of herself and told him the truth. She could only imagine the look on his face if she told him she was in love with him. He didn’t love her. He liked and wanted her a lot but wasn’t in love with her.
Why would he be? They came from two different worlds, and she was certain part of his fascination with her was because she was so different. But the fascination would eventually wane, and he’d find someone who was in the same damn social class. Lust wasn’t love. She’d learned that the hard way with Jeremy. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again with Luke. Not when Mama J’s life depended on it.
“Thank you again, Luke,” she said. “I enjoyed our time together.”
He turned and stared at her. “You promised me until Sunday.”
“I know, but -”
“I don’t want you to leave,” he said.
The naked and raw pleading in his voice had her dropping the suitcase and crossing the bedroom to his side. “I don’t want to leave either.”
“Then don’t. Stay with me, Janie.” He put his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He lifted her and carried her to the bed. He stood her next to it, and they undressed each other before climbing into the bed. He stretched out on his side next to her and stroked his thumb across her cheekbone. “You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you,” she said.
He smiled at her and kissed her sweetly, tasting her mouth as she clung to him. When his big hand cupped her breast, she arched into him, and he smiled against her lips.
“I love your reaction to me, sweet Jane.”
“I want you so much,” she moaned.
“I want you too.” He teased her nipple with his thumb and trailed kisses across her upper chest. She reached between them and wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, rubbing urgently as he groaned into her ear.
“Keep doing that, and I’ll fuck you right now,” he muttered.
“Yes,” she said. “Please.”
He studied her for a moment before pressing his hand between her legs. She widened her thighs, and he cupped her pussy.
“Please, Luke,” she said and tried to urge him between her legs.
“You’re not ready yet,” he said.
“I don’t care. I need you!” She was suddenly dying to have him inside of her.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t want to hurt you. Patience, Jane.”
She glared at him, and he gave her a sweet smile before beginning to rub her clit with slow, firm strokes. “When you’re nice and wet for me, then I’ll fuck you. It won’t take long.”
She spread her legs wide, repeatedly arching into his touch until she was soaking wet and moaning for him.
“See,” he said arrogantly before sucking hard on her nipple. She cried out, her pussy clenching around his finger when he pushed it into her.
“Luke,” she begged, “please.”
“Whatever you want, sweet Jane.” He rolled on the condom before kneeling between her legs. He slid into her with one hard thrust, and she moaned happily as he rested on his forearms above her. She rubbed her tight nipples against his chest, watching desire dance across his face as she put her arms around his shoulders. He was sliding in and out in a slow, deep rhythm, and she closed her eyes as he thrust.
“Look at me.”
His low voice made her eyes pop open. She stared up at him as he continued to move in her. He rolled his hips in and out, grinding his pelvic bone against her clit as she made low gasps of pleasure.
“Keep looking at me,” he demanded as her eyelids drifted shut. “Don’t look away, Jane.”
“Yes, Luke,” she whispered.
She stared at him as he moved faster. He was beginning to pant now, and she dug her hands into his back as she met each of his thrusts. Their hips slapped together, and she squeezed him tightly with her inner muscles.
He groaned and moved harder. He didn’t tear his gaze from her, and she whimpered low in her throat. “I’m so close, Luke.”
“Me too,” he gasped.
He reached between them and rubbed her clit. “Look at me when you’re coming.”
He tugged on her clit, and keeping her gaze on him, she climaxed with a shudder-inducing cry. Her body arched under his as she tightened around him. He made a soft mutter for mercy before thrusting deep and groaning her name. He stared intently at her as he came deep within her, his body shaking and twitching against hers. When he collapsed against her, she rubbed his back and kept her legs wrapped around his waist.
“That was so good,” he muttered.
“Hmm,” she agreed.
He lifted his head and stared at her. “Jane, I…”
She gave him an encouraging look. “What, Luke?”
He pressed a kiss against her mouth. “Nothing.”
He rolled off of her and disposed of the condom before pulling her into his embrace. She snuggled into him, throwing her thin thigh across his thick ones as he rubbed her back with his warm hand.
He was quiet for so long that she was starting to fall asleep when his low voice came floating out of the darkness. “It’s good between us. Isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she said sleepily. “So good.”
He pressed a kiss against the top of her head. “Good night, Jane.”
“Night, Luke.”
* * *
“Hello, sweetheart.”Clara kissed Luke’s cheek before folding Jane into her embrace. “Hi, dear.”
“Hi, Clara.” Jane removed her jacket, and Luke hung it in the closet as she slipped out of her boots.
“When Amy showed up without you, I was afraid you weren’t coming to family dinner. But Amy said Luke was bringing you because he made you work today.” Clara gave Luke a gentle, disapproving look. “You work too much, sweetheart, and now you’re making Jane work too much.”
“I didn’t mind,” Jane said. “It doesn’t happen very often.”
“You’re looking gorgeous tonight, Mom.” Luke kissed her cheek with a loud smacking noise.
Clara pinched Luke’s cheek. “Aren’t you in a good mood today? Your dad is in the garage tinkering with his car. He said for you to join him.”
“Sure.” Luke disappeared as Clara put her arm around Jane and squeezed affectionately.
“Dearest, can you do me a favour?”
“Of course,” Jane said.
“Can you go and talk to Amy? She’s in the living room and has been in a real mood since she arrived. Something’s upsetting her, but she won’t tell me what it is. You two have grown close, so maybe you could try talking to her.”
“Sure,” Jane said as guilt coursed through her. She had meant to text Amy this morning, but Luke had kept her occupied.
Damn straight he did, her inner voice whispered. How many times have you had sex today, Janie? Six? Seven? What do you think Luke’s mother would say if she knew Luke was in such a good mood because you gave him a blowjob right before you left for family dinner?
She gave Clara a distracted smile. Luke had woken her at seven this morning, and they’d been in bed for pretty much the entire day. Her thighs ached, as did her pelvis, but she didn’t regret their marathon of sex. After dinner, Luke would drive her back to her place, and she would never again feel his warm body wrapped around hers or hear his deep voice whispering in her ear. The thought sent depression coursing through her, and she shook it off immediately. Amy was upset, and she needed to stop being such a lousy friend and help her.
“I’ll talk to her right now,” Jane said.
“Thanks, dearest,” Clara said.
Jane pressed a kiss against Clara’s cheek. She was very fond of Luke’s parents and would miss them terribly. But she couldn’t keep going to family dinners after tonight. It would be bad enough to see Luke every day at work. She wouldn’t torture herself on the weekends as well.
She walked into the living room. Amy was sitting on the couch, staring at the flickering flames of the fire burning in the fireplace. When Amy didn’t look at her, Jane sat beside her and said, “Hi, Amy.”
“Hi, Jane.”
“How was your day with Pierre and Julien yesterday?”
“Fine,” Amy said.
“Friday night was a bit intense.”
Amy sighed and said irritably, “I’m not talking to you about Mark. Don’t bother asking.”
“Okay,” Jane said.
“Fuck. I’m being such a bitch,” Amy said. “I’m sorry, Janie.”
“It’s fine. I’m just worried about you.”
“So is my mom. I heard her telling you to come in and talk to me.”
“I would have talked to you anyway. I meant to text you yesterday, but Luke…”
She flushed when Amy said dryly, “Yeah, I don’t need the details.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. You know I like that you and my brother are together.”
Jane thought about correcting her and decided now wasn’t the moment. Amy was upset, and she had a feeling she was trying to change the subject.
“Did you have fun with Pierre and Julien?” She asked.
“I didn’t fuck them if that’s what you’re asking.” Amy stared into the fire.
“I – that isn’t what I meant.”
“I was going to,” Amy continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I fully intended to end yesterday in their hotel room and their bed, with both. Why not, right? They were interested in me. I’m single, and they’re single. What’s wrong with having a good time with two handsome guys who want you?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Jane said.
“Then why couldn’t I do it?” Amy said angrily. “Why couldn’t I just forget about – about him?”
“Because I think you love him,” Jane said. “You should tell him, Ames. I think he loves you too.”
“He doesn’t!” she snapped.
“You don’t know that,” Jane said.
“Do you love my brother?” Amy asked.
Jane hesitated, and Amy stared at her. “Do you?”
“Yes,” Jane said.
“Are you going to tell him?”
“No, but this is different. He’s my boss and not in love with me.”
Amy scoffed loudly. “Bullshit.”
“He isn’t,” Jane said. “But Mark, he -”
“You need to help me convince your mother that I need that car,” Luke’s father said as he and Luke wandered into the living room. “Hi, Jane.”
“Hi, Gary,” Jane said. “How are you?”
“Can’t complain.” He sunk into his chair with a soft sigh. “How’s work going? Luke keeping you busy?”
“Yes,” Jane said.
“That’s nice.” Gary turned to Luke. “Amy says you might be going international with the line.”
“We’re trying,” Luke said.
“Good, good,” Gary said as Clara stuck her head into the living room.
“Dinner’s ready.”
“Thank you, lovie,” Gary said. “C’mon, kids, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
They followed him into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Clara gave Amy a worried look before smiling at Luke. “Luke, why don’t you -”
She stopped as the doorbell rang. “Now, who could that be?” She shook her head when Gary started to stand. “I’ll get it, honey. Start dishing out the food.”
She left the kitchen, and Gary handed the rice to Jane. “Take lots, Jane.”
She murmured her thanks and dished out some rice onto her plate before handing the bowl to Luke. As he took some, Clara swept back into the kitchen.
“Look who’s finally joining us for family dinner.”
Mark appeared in the doorway. He was unshaven, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked tired and miserable.
“Mark!” Gary boomed. “Good to see you, son. Sit next to Luke.”
Mark sat beside Luke as Clara grabbed a plate and silverware. She set it in front of Mark before leaning down and kissing his forehead. She ruffled his hair affectionately. “You look tired, dearest. What have you been up to this weekend?”
“Nothing,” he said. “I’m sorry I showed up without calling.”
“Nonsense,” Clara said. “You know you’re always welcome.”
Jane glanced at Amy. The curvy blonde stared at her plate, and she didn’t look up when Gary held out the chicken platter to her.
“Ames?” he said before poking her in the arm. “Take some chicken.”
She took the platter from her father and stabbed a small piece of chicken before passing the platter to Jane. Jane took it from her and glanced at Luke. She couldn’t be the only one feeling the tension between Mark and Amy, could she?
Apparently, she was because the rest of Amy’s family were oblivious to how Amy hunched over her plate and the tenseness in Mark’s shoulders.
“So, Mark, honey, how are things?” Clara asked.
Jane stole another glance at Amy, then reached under the table and patted her knee. Amy gave her a strained smile before her gaze flickered to Mark. Jane took the bowl of cooked vegetables from Luke. God, it was going to be a long dinner.
* * *
“Where did Luke get off to?”Clara loaded the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. “I wanted him to put the recycling on the back porch.”
“I think he and Mark are back in the garage with Gary. I’ll do it.” Jane finished wiping the table. Amy had disappeared after helping her mother load the dishwasher. Jane had a feeling she had escaped to her old room and would be leaving any moment now. Dinner was beyond awkward, and she couldn’t believe no one else felt the tension between Amy and Mark.
“Oh, that’s fine, dearest,” Clara said. “I’ll have Gary do it tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind.” Jane took the blue bag and headed for the door that led to the back porch.
“Thank you, honey,” Clara called. “Throw it in the big bin next to the freezer.”
Jane stepped out onto the porch, letting the door shut behind her. It was a lovely screened-in porch, so they could sit and enjoy the weather during the summer months without being eaten by mosquitoes. She hurried to the bin and lifted the lid before throwing in the recycling bag. The wooden floor was cold on her sock feet, and she ran back to the door, groaning when she tried to turn the handle.
“Dammit.” The door had locked behind her, and she knocked loudly on it as she shivered in the cold air. She waited a few minutes before knocking again.
“C’mon,” she muttered. She glanced at the other end of the porch. There was no porch light, and it was hard to see in the dim light coming from the one window, but she thought there was a door at the other end. She could go through that one and run to the front of the house. Clara would hear the doorbell. Of course, she wore no shoes, and the snow was deep. She weighed her options before starting toward the other door. She’d run around to the front. She could always borrow a pair of socks from Clara if she had to.
Before she had taken two steps, the far door swung open, and Amy stomped in. Her cheeks were bright red with the cold, her jacket was undone, and her boots were unlaced. Mark was right behind her. He was wearing his boots but no coat, and Jane sank into the shadows as he said, “Just stop and listen to me for a minute.”
“Why should I?” Amy whirled around and glared at him. “I’m nothing but a big mistake to you, remember?”
“That isn’t what I meant, and you know that,” Mark snapped. “Tell me what I want to know.”
“No, it’s none of your goddamn business!”
Jane opened her mouth to announce her presence as Amy tried to storm past Mark. She shut her mouth with a snap, watching with wide eyes when Mark grabbed Amy and pushed her up against the side of the house. He pinned her arms above her head and threaded his other hand in her long blonde hair, yanking her head back before kissing her hard. Amy froze against him for a moment before returning his kiss eagerly.
Jane pressed her body against the door and stared at the ceiling of the covered porch. Shit, what did she do now?”
“Tell me, Amy.”
Jane’s eyes widened. Mark sounded...different. Hell, his voice”s demand and raw power made her suddenly ready to confess everything to him. She had no idea how Amy resisted him as the blonde said in a low voice, “It’s none of your business, Mark. You don’t get to tell me what to do or ...oh God.”
Her voice trailed off into a low moan of pleasure as Mark said, “Did they take what’s mine, Amy?”
Feeling like a voyeur but unable to resist looking, Jane lowered her gaze. She clapped her hand over her mouth. Her old boss, the by all accounts sweet and easy-going Mark, was still pinning Amy to the wall with one hard hand around her wrists. His other hand was shoved down the front of her pants. Amy made a low groan of need and spread her legs wide before arching into his hand.
“Did they touch my little slave’s pussy?” Mark said. “Did she give them what belongs to me?”
“No,” Amy whispered as Mark nuzzled her neck before licking his way to her jaw. “No, I didn’t let them touch me.”
“Good.” Mark kissed her again before sucking on her bottom lip. “You’ll be a good girl and come for me right now. Do you understand?”
His arm moved against her, and Amy moaned again as Mark said, “When we’re done here, you’ll come back to my place and accept your punishment, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Amy whispered.
He bit her throat, and she gasped.
“What did you say to me?” Mark said.
He bit her throat again, and she arched against him before whispering, “I mean, yes, sir.”
“Better. Your punishment will be dropping to your knees and sucking on my cock until I come in your mouth, little slave.”
“Yes, sir,” she repeated.
Oh, Jesus. Jane clenched her hands into tight fists. Listening to Mark call Amy his little slave was way fucking hotter than it should have been. She really needed to say something before things went too far.
Too far, Janie? It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think?Her inner voice said with a gleeful grin.
The door suddenly opened behind her, and she just managed to catch her balance to keep from falling on her ass. She whirled around and stared at Luke, standing in the doorway.
He gave her a puzzled look as he started to step out onto the porch. “Jane? What’s wrong?”
She launched her small body at him, propelling him backward into the house in a desperate attempt to keep him from seeing his sister and Mark.
“Whoa! What the hell?” he said. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said. “Nothing’s wrong. I got locked out on the porch and was freezing my butt off.”
He studied her for a moment. “Are you sure that’s it? You look weird.”
“I’m cold.” She took his hand and tugged him toward the kitchen. “Come on, let’s see if I can get a cup of tea from your mom.”
“Sure,” he said before following her down the hallway.
* * *
Jane staredat Amy’s house and tried not to cry. Luke had driven her home after dinner, and knowing this was it for them made her feel nauseous. Luke shut off the car and opened his door.
“What are you doing?” Jane asked.
“Coming inside.” He arched his eyebrow at her. “I’m spending the night.”
“I – what?” She gave him a confused look. “But it’s Sunday.”
“Exactly. You said we had until Sunday. It’s still Sunday,” he said. “Is that a problem?”
“No,” she said as she climbed out of the car. She tried to hide her excitement as they entered the house and took off their jackets and boots. Light shone in the kitchen, and she glanced in as they walked down the hallway. Amy sat at the table staring into a cup of tea, and Luke stuck his head into the room.
“Hey, Ames. I’m spending the night.”
“Yeah, sure, okay, Amy said. “Janie, could I talk to you for a minute?”
“Can it wait until tomorrow?” Luke asked. His big hand rubbed her lower back, and Jane smiled at him.
“I’ll only be a minute. I’ll meet you upstairs, okay?”
“Sure,” Luke said. “Night, Amy.”
“Night, Luke.”
Jane sat down across from Amy. When she heard her bedroom door shut, she reached across and squeezed Amy’s hand. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“No, I’m sorry. I needed fresh air, and Mark followed me outside. I didn’t mean for you to hear or see what you did. I thought you were in the kitchen with Mom.”
Jane squeezed her hand again. “You don’t need to apologize. I took the recycling out for your mom and got locked out. I was about to say something when things got um...”
Amy blushed. “Oh God, I am so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” Jane said. “I knew something was up with you and Mark, so it wasn’t that surprising. Why aren’t you, uh, at his house?”
Amy glanced at her before groaning. “Oh fuck. Did you hear everything?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Jane said. “Listen, I’m not judging you, all right? It was kind of hot, actually. I had no idea there was that side to Mark.”
“Jane, you can’t say anything to Luke, okay?” Amy said urgently. “Promise me you won’t say anything to him.”
“I won’t,” Jane said. “I promise I won’t.”
Amy searched her face before nodding. “Okay, thank you and thanks for keeping Luke from seeing us earlier. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into this mess.”
“You didn’t,” Jane said. “There seems to be a lot of attraction between you and Mark, so why aren’t you with him?”
Amy blinked rapidly before rubbing at her forehead. “It’s a long story. Listen, my brother’s waiting for you, and honestly, I don’t want to talk about what happened. I wanted to apologize for it and ask you not to say anything to anyone about what you saw and, um, heard.”
“I won’t, Amy. I promise,” Jane said.
“Thanks, Janie.”
“You’re welcome. And listen, if you want to talk about it, I’m here, okay? Sometimes, it’s better if you talk about it.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks, Jane.”