Page 81 of Waves of Hope

That night, after they’d shared some pizza Shane had ordered delivered to his condo, they sat sipping beer and talking. Shane did most of the talking. Now that they’d come to a decision to see where their relationship might go, it was as if the words blocked inside him couldn’t come out fast enough. Charlotte was relieved to hear him talk about good memories with Granny Liz and Grandpa Sam and some made with his father and his new family. “Dad wanted me to join his law firm in Atlanta, but I didn’t want to work with corporate law.”

“And Ricardo made some introductions for you,” Charlotte prompted.

“Yes, but I didn’t want to tie myself to him or my mother. As I mentioned, he was a generous man, brought out the best in my mother when she was with him, but you know what she’s really like.”

“I admire your choice of family law,” she said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do in the future, but it has to be something that makes me happy. I’m enjoying working on PR for the Family First, and I’m glad to be helping Gran with the Inn, but I don’t like the day-to-day stuff there as much as Livy and Brooke do.”

“All I know is I want to make this thing work between us,” said Shane. “I want to make you happy.”

“You already have, Shane. Just knowing you want us together makes me happier than I’ve been in a long time.” Charlotte accepted the hand he offered her.

“Come with me,” he said. “I can’t wait any longer to show you how I feel.”

She took his hand, and they walked into the bedroom together.

Later, Charlotte lay beside Shane, filled with a new sense of peace. She’d been with a man before, but not like this. Their lovemaking was as spiritual as well as physical, an awe-inspiring blend of giving and receiving.

Shane rolled over and faced her. “Your beautiful, you know,” he murmured, kissing her.

Charlotte smiled. She knew it was because he made her feel that way.

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When Shane pulled his car into Granny Liz’s driveway the next day, she emerged from her house, followed by Austin.

“Hey, everything all right between the two of you?”

Charlotte and Shane exchanged glances.

“Yes, why are you asking?” Shane said, looking from his grandmother to his brother.

“Mom called me in one of her rants,” Austin said. “It wasn’t pleasant.”

Shane’s lips thinned. He put his arm around Charlotte. “Things are better than ever. Charlie and I have decided to date.”

“Exclusively,” said Charlotte, her eyes bright as she smiled at Shane.

“Hallelujah,” cried Granny Liz. “That’s fantastic news.”

“Congrats, bro,” said Austin. “Wait until your cousins hear, Charlie.”

Charlotte grinned. “I called them earlier.” They turned as Brooke and Livy raced toward them.

Austin grinned and stepped back as Charlotte and her cousins did a group hug.

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