Page 72 of An Unexpected Home

“How did I not know you make earrings?” Carly asked moving toward her aunt to check them out.

She shrugged. “It’s just something I have always done for myself.”

“I want a pair,” Mel said from behind Alice.

“Looks like your gift was a hit,” Brandon said into her ear.

Alice was walking toward her and before she knew it, she was hugging her. “Thank you so much for the beautiful earrings. With a gift like that,” she stood back, hands on Leah’s shoulders, “I can’t wait to have you at all our family events.”

“Mom,” Brandon warned.

“What? I’m just saying,” she said and walked away, leaving Leah laughing.

“Sorry about her,” he said. “We have no control.”

She leaned into his side. “Is that your way of saying you don’t want me at all your family events?” She was kidding and hoped he could tell.

“I want you everywhere I go, forever.”

She wanted the same thing. Forever with Brandon. But was it possible? Could this love last?

Excusing herself to use the restroom, Carly caught up with her.

“Did you see that Anthony is here?”

“Yeah, I saw that Tony was here.” She laughed at her continued use of his given name.

“Why the hell did Logan have to bring him?” she asked and followed her into the bathroom.

“Excuse me,” she said. “Do you think maybe I could pee alone?”

“Pssh,” she scoffed. “Since when do you care if I see you pee.”

“I don’t care,” she said and gave in, pulling her pants down. “Maybe I just wanted a few minutes alone.”

“If I have to put up with Anthony, you don’t get time alone.”

“Why do you let him get to you?”

“He doesn’t.” She scrunched up her face.

“Bull shit,” Leah said. “You can’t stand that he is always picking on you or cracking jokes at your expense. But if Mel or I do the same thing, you don’t care.”

“That’s because I know you guys. He thinks he knows me so damn well but he doesn’t.”

“I don’t know,” she said and flushed. “Some of his cracks are right on.”

“Do you want to be homeless?”

“Mel owns the house, she would never kick me out. And anyway, I could always just live with Brandon.” As soon as the words left her mouth and she heard them, her heart started beating faster.

“Do you want to live with Brandon?” Carly turned and faced her.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m not ready for that. I mean staying there sometimes is one thing but living there...?”

“I thought you guys were all in love and stuff. Isn’t that what people in love do, move in together?”

“I’m not ready for that,” she stated strongly, even though her heart was beating faster at just the idea of living with him.

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