he’s doing so well and working so hard to recover is so he can go back to work. Lane has dangled the restaurant under his nose since day one.”
82
Waiting for Wednesday
“She has?” Tris asked, feeling guilty once more for hiding from Pop during his recovery. He had a lot to make up for with his old man.
“Lane knew from the first that Pop lives for work. She said he needed something to get better for and I agree. I don’t think we should take that goal away from him. Lane said that as soon as he’s able, he could start taking orders, talking to the customers, and Ewan can do the serving and the lifting. He liked that idea. You know Pop. He loves being around people and he hates feeling useless. Lane’s given him a pretty strong incentive for making a quick recovery.”
“Lane seems to know Pop pretty well.”
Riley shrugged. “She knows all of us, Tris. That girl must have memorized every word you ever said to her on all those nights she hung out at the pub. She remembers things I’ve done even I don’t remember doing.” Tris wondered about Riley’s comment. Lane had often asked about his family during their weekly chats and she’d been delighted by his stories about his childhood.
“I didn’t realize.”
“I get the impression she didn’t have much of a childhood. I think you sort of gave her a taste of what a good one could be like when you told her about us.” Tris looked at his little sister and realized she had a point. “I guess I did. You’re pretty smart sometimes, brat.”
“I’m smart all the time. You’re just not always smart enough to realize it.” He laughed, but it was cut short when he heard Lane moving around behind him.
“It’s nearly ten o’clock,” Lane said.
He’d been filling the doorway and when he turned, he saw she’d put her nightgown back on. She blushed when she realized Riley was there.
“Hey, Lane,” his sister said cheerily.
“Oh, Riley. I’m so sorry I’m late. I just need to change and then I’ll be ready to start your pop’s exercises.”
83
Mari Carr
Tris wanted to protest her haste to leave. He wasn’t finished talking to or touching her. He knew a lifetime of kisses wouldn’t be enough for him. He also knew if she left before they’d settled a few things, he’d be starting from scratch tonight.
“Actually, I was just coming to tell Tris that Teagan’s here. She’s going to stay for a few days while Sky is doing the interview circuit, promoting his new album.”
“I thought she was going with him,” Tris said.
“She wants to spend some time with Pop,” Riley replied before looking back at Lane. “She and I were wondering if we could take Pop for a short walk outside this morning instead of him doing his daily exercises. It’s a gorgeous morning.” Tris grinned at his sister. She was giving him the perfect opportunity to be alone in the apartment with Lane.
“Oh, I think your pop would love that. I’ll get dressed and join—” Riley interrupted Lane, who was clearly trying to escape his room. “Ewan is going to help us get him downstairs and then try to clean up the mess he made in the office when he was doing those bleeding taxes. Jesus, he’s an ass at tax time. Glad it’s over.
Teagan was going to sleep on the couch while she was here, but seeing as how…” Her words drifted off and Tris finished her line of thought.
“While you two take Pop out, Lane and I can move her stuff up here. Teagan can have her own bed.”
“Tris,” Lane said softly.
He turned and grinned at her. “You can sleep in here from now on.”
“No, I can’t.”
Riley smiled widely. “Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun to watch.” He scowled and crowded Lane back into his room while stepping through the doorway. “Go take your walk, brat.” He closed and locked the door before turning and leaning against it, ready for the onslaught. Lane didn’t disappoint him.
84
Waiting for Wednesday
“What the hell are you doing? Why
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