“I think maybe you should leave,” I say, but Lane puts a hand on my arm.
“No, I want to hear what she has to say.”
“It was the same reason I couldn’t talk to you in town,” Mom says to Lane. “I’m sorry, and I know it was wrong, but I thought you were never going to love him back, Lane. For years I watched him travel the country trying to make a name for himself and make a future for the two of you. I watched as he built the house of your dreams, and all the while you kept him at arm's length.”
“She didn’t do anything wrong.” I defend Lane, but she shakes her head.
“That must have been hard to watch,” she tells my mom.
“I’ve always thought of this as your home, Lane. That’s why I was rushing in here to kick out a skank. You’re the future daughter-in-law, but when I saw you in his bedroom, I worried it was a one-time thing. Quinn said the woman that was here won him at an auction. I didn’t know it was more than that.”
“And you thought once again I’d push him away.” Lane walks around me so she can talk directly to my mom.
“I didn’t know how any of us could make it through the heartache. I dreamed of you joining our family, but the longer it took, the more I lost hope.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” I say, but my mom waves me off to talk directly to Lane. It’s like they are talking around me now and I’m not even here.
“I should have found a way to love you without putting up a wall between us. That’s my fault.”
“I know a thing or two about putting up walls,” Lane agrees, and there’s a smile at the edge of her lips.
“You’ve always had a strength and determination that I’ve admired, and instead of talking to you directly, I chose the coward's way out. I’m sorry for the way I behaved, and I’ll do my best to make it up to you.”
“I think trying to run off a random skank was a good start,” Lane chuckles.
“Anytime, honey. You just say the word.” My mom pulls her in for another hug, and this time Lane leans into it, hugging her back.
The two of them embrace for a long time, and eventually I clear my throat. When they finally turn in my direction, I hold out my hands.
“Yes, I’m still here.”
“He’s hangry,” Lane tells my mom, and she winks at her.
“Why don’t I make y’all something?” she offers. I open my mouth to tell her we’ll be fine on our own, but she cuts me off. “I’ll text you after I drop off the picnic basket on the porch. The two of you are going to need lots of food and privacy while you’re working on making my grandbaby.”
“Kill me now,” I groan as my mom pats us both on the cheek and bounces out of the kitchen like she’s the happiest woman in the world.
“She’s going to make it super awkward, isn’t she?” Lane teases once the front door closes.
“Yep.” I pull her into my arms, and she wraps her legs around my waist. “So I guess we really should get to making that baby.”
My cock is already swelling with need as she grinds against it.
“Lead the way, Daddy.”
My eyes widen, and a flare of heat passes between us. Without another word, I take off running to the bedroom.
Chapter Seventeen
LANE
“How is this happening?” I ask my sister. A few months ago, I would have never guessed we’d be in this situation. Not in a million years. Neither did Liv, for that matter.
“Well, when a girl and a boy love each other?—”
“Shut up,” I laugh, nudging her with my shoulder.
We’re at the shop and should be working, but instead we’re doing a silly TikTok trend that is a tad too real.