It was too much, she started weeping, ―You mean that really was my ring?‖
―Yes, and you‘ll get it back, probably soon.I‘m leaving you two alone. I think I messed up this relationship as much as I possibly could. I realize now that I should have let Max tell you how he felt all those years ago. It‘s funny how something like this makes you really think.‖
―Oh Luke!‖ she threw her arms around him hugging him tightly. ―You have no idea how you just made me feel! I needed that! ― she pulled back and tried frowning but it was unsuccessful, ―I‘m still mad at you though.‖
He grinned and kissed her cheek, ―I can handle that.‖
Just then Max came down the hall from the kitchen,
―Luke I—―he stopped when Lily got up from the sofa and launched herself at him.He was startled but easily embraced her, ―Wow, what‘s this for?‖ he said looking over her head at Luke.
―I‘m going to the office for a bit,‖ Luke said standing up,
―I‘ll get a head start for Tuesday.‖ He glanced at his watch, ―I‘ll be home late, so don‘t wait up.‖ He turned and walked out of the room leaving Max staring at him completely baffled. Then he felt Lily‘s hands on either side of his face causing him to look down at her.
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―I want my ring back.‖
He stared down at her still confused about the sudden affection not missing her tearstained eyes.Then he smiled slowly and reached into his pocket withdrawing the ring, ‖All right.‖
―You had it with you?‖ she said in awe as he slipped it back on her finger.
―I‘ve had it with me for three years.‖ He confessed deeply.
―All the time?‖
―Every day.‖
―Is it really mine?‖ she looked up at him after admiring it.
―Luke‘s got a big mouth.‖ He said pursing his lips.
―I would have said yes at sixteen.‖
He reached up and brushed her long hair back over her shoulders to cup her face in his hands and search her eyes for some sort of apprehension, there was none.―I would have married you then button, but Luke was right in a lot of ways.‖
―I‘m not sixteen Max, I‘m twenty now.‖
―Yes you are.‖ He said huskily before he lowered his head and kissed her.
Luke came home a little after midnight and saw his sister and Max sleeping on the sofa covered by a quilt. He released a sigh of relief.Max still had his shirt on but it was unbuttoned and his sister was curled against him and he could see that she still wore her nightgown.Then his eyes guided to the hand on Max‘s bare chest noticing the engagement ring back where it belonged and he smiled. Quietly he made his way by the sleeping couple to his room. He had to give it to his friend because under the circumstances, he showed a great deal of restraint. If it was someone Luke loved the way Max loved Lily, he would want to be with her in every way after hearing such news.
Lily had never slept so well in her life. When she awoke 133
L. R. Wards
the next morning she was ecstatic to see that Max didn‘t get up and leave this time. He was still with her and asleep. He looked peaceful and incredibly handsome.She lifted her head and moved her gaze over his face.His jaw had a day‘s worth of stubble and it made him look worn but sinfully appealing.
Having her body pressed against his hard form was doing amazing things to her insides too.She didn‘t forget what he looked and felt like naked and those feelings of desire rose within her like a volcano.
―Quit staring.‖ He murmured.
―Oh for gosh sakes! ― she flushed.
He opened his eyes and grinned, ―Well, I can get used to this.‖ He lifted his arm and looked at his watch, ―I‘ve got to get going. Go get dressed Lily, you‘re coming with me. I have some things to finish up at the office, and then we have a ten o‘clock appointment with Doctor Jenson.‖
―Oh.‖ She couldn‘t stop the tremor.
―Hey,‖ he said softly nudging her chin so she‘d look at him, ―I‘m with you every step of the way.‖
―I know. I‘m terrified.‖
―I‘m scared to honey, but we‘ll
