Page 20 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

“And a benevolent brother who is letting her stay rent-free,” Dean added.

“Laney, you can’t take too long to decide what you’re going to do. It’s hard to explain away gaps on your résumé. You know you could still work with your father for a few hours a week, something down on paper so it doesn’t look like you had a mental breakdown for a year.”

“I am having a mental breakdown,” Laney mumbled, and Dean shifted, pulling the phone closer to him.

“She’s good, Mom. She needs a little time, that’s all,” he said, because when push came to shove, the Hargrove twins would go down together.

“Well, remember that we love you. Both of you. And the best way to get revenge is to just be you, Delaney. Be the best version of you and live your life.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Laney said at the same time Dean told her, “Talk later, Mom.”

He hit the end button and pocketed his phone before looking Laney up and down in her hoodie, leggings, and green socks. “Mom’s right. We gotta get you out of this house more often.”

Laney made a face and repositioned her laptop on her thighs.

He peered at it again. “You looking up Huntington’s?”

“I was curious.”

He tugged at his tie, letting out a breath. “Yeah, I did some researching too.”

“Internet doctors.”

Dean tossed her a grin. “In half an hour.” But then his smile faded. “It’s rough.”

Laney played with a few strands of hair, her mind drifting to Ethan and the way he’d held on to her the other day. She wished she could provide more comfort for him, but she was at a loss. Especially since she didn’t even have her own life in order.

“What’s for dinner?” Dean asked, lightly smacking her arm as he stood.

“I don’t know. You don’t have much in the fridge.”

He crossed to the steps. “Seems like you need to go to the grocery store, then.”

“Or,” she said, holding her finger up, “we could order Thai.”

“Great.” He headed upstairs. “You’re buying.”

7

Saturday morning, Dean texted Ethan to ask if he could come over and help him finish up the bathroom. Ethan was happy to oblige since he needed to talk out some stuff anyway. Mid-February in Pennsylvania was cold, and with a sudden snow squall, he hustled up to Dean’s house before his face froze off in the bitter wind. “Goddamn,” he mumbled with a tip of his chin to his friend. “It’s like ten degrees out.”

From his place on the couch, Dean lifted a mug. “You want some coffee?”

Ethan removed his hat and coat and kicked off his shoes. “Yeah, thanks.” He helped himself in the kitchen before making his way back to the living room, noting how quiet the house was. “Where’s Laney?”

“Running errands. I told her I’d have the bathroom finished before she got back. Get her off my ass about it.”

Ethan held the coffee between his palms to warm up. “What’s left?”

“Install the vanity and lighting. Finish the grout.”

“Shouldn’t take long, then.”

“Two hours, tops,” Dean said, and Ethan took a seat on the leather recliner in the corner.

“So, listen, I wanted your opinion on something.”

Dean carefully set his coffee cup down and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands knitted together. “Yeah?”

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