“Yes, one is a black shirt with an AC/DC logo. Is that you, Jackson?” Ally asked.
“Oh, that music. He used to listen to it so loud my ears would ring.” Mary Lou reached up and touched her ears.
Jackson smiled, and it softened the look of concentration on his face. “You used to dance to it while you made dinner, Mom. Don’t try to pretend you didn’t like it.”
“It’s true.” Heath looked at Mary Lou, and his smile broadened. “Remember how long her hair was, Jackson?”
Jackson leaned an elbow on the coffee table. “Almost to her waist.”
“Your father loved my long hair.” Mary Lou reached up and touched her hair with a thoughtful look on her face.
“You still look beautiful, Mom,” Heath said. “I also remember that you knew most of the words to the songs, too.”
“Well, how could I not with how often Jackson played those albums?” She shook her head and smiled in Jackson’s direction.
“I still do. Gotta love my vinyl.” Jackson winked at Ally.
“That means the other one in the picture is probably Cooper,” Mary Lou said. “Because Jackson and Cooper have always been like twins, doing everything together, while Logan would usually strike out on his own.”
Heath moved to the empty cushion beside his mother and looked over her shoulder. “That’s Coop, all right. And the reason his hair was so short is that he’d won that photo award contest in Photography magazine—remember, Ma? You made him get a haircut to accept his award.”
Mary Lou smiled. “Yes, oh goodness. He was so upset with me over that haircut. But I couldn’t let him accept an award looking like a ragamuffin.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “Every guy looked like that back then, Ma.”
“Yes, well, I was proud of him. And he met that beautiful girl at the award ceremony, which I credit to the haircut.” She lifted her shoulders quickly, as if to say, See? It helped him after all.
Heath shook his head. “Coop would have gotten that girl with or without the haircut.”
“Maybe so. But you never know.” Mary Lou handed the photo back to Ally and asked, “Do you have more?”
The enthusiasm in her voice made Ally smile as she placed another picture in her hands.
They spent the next hour laughing and talking about Heath and his brothers’ teenage years and their mischievous behavior. By the time Heath and Ally were ready to leave, Ally felt like Mary Lou and Jackson were old friends. They were both easygoing and warm. Jackson’s personality was different from Heath’s. As edgy as Jackson dressed, his personality was laid-back, while Heath had an intensity about him that made Ally’s pulse quicken every time they were close.
Heath hugged his mother goodbye and promised to see her Sunday for dinner.
“Ally, will you be joining us on Sunday?” Mary Lou asked.
Ally looked up at Heath, not wanting to impose on his time with his family.
“I’d love it if you’d join us, but don’t feel pressured if you have plans,” Heath said.
Jackson lowered his voice, as if he were sharing a secret. “That means he wants you to come.”
“Thank you, Mary Lou. I’d really enjoy that.” She slid her hand around Heath’s waist, feeling like she’d just stepped deeper into his inner circle—and loving it.
Chapter Sixteen
HEATH LIVED AT 200 Eleventh Avenue, one of the most luxurious condominiums in the city. He was a little embarrassed by the prestigious address as they entered the gunmetal-gray-colored building. Its impressive architecture included protruding piers and an arched and curved cornice with multi-paned windows. He’d purposefully not driven tonight. His was the only building with an en-suite garage, where cars were brought up on freight elevators to each residence. The extravagance was not something Heath had sought out, but he’d wanted the view of the Hudson River, and the twenty-four-foot ceilings and en-suite garage were part of the package.
“You must have a great view of the water,” Ally said as they rode the elevator up to his apartment.
“I do, but the view in here is much more beautiful.” He pulled her in close and kissed her neck. “Watching you with my family made me fall for you a little harder.”
“I think you took me there hoping it would have the same effect on me.”
“Not hoping, but I wondered if it might drive you away.”
“Not on your life.” She went up on her toes and kissed him.
The elevator doors opened, and with a hand on her lower back, he guided her into his living room. Her eyes went directly to the far wall, which boasted floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, complete with a sliding library ladder. The books were interspersed with family photographs and a few of Heath’s favorite sculptures and vases.