“Is it true if you have sex in Colorado, you’re inducted into the Mile High Club?”
Lucy’s eyes widened, and she choked a bit on her water.
“Gretchen Margaret!” Mom’s scolding voice said it for all of us. Even though my mom was biting back a smile, the rest of us just stared at our baby sister.
“Settle down, boys, it’s a valid question.” Gretchen rolled her eyes at Lucy. “They treat me like a teenager.”
“I think it’s sweet.” Lucy finally smiled. “I’m an only child, so I never had any of this.” She waved her hand to indicate me and my siblings.
Deciding it was time to rescue Lucy from the inquisition, I stood up. “Can you excuse us, please? I’m going to show Lucy around.” I offered her my hand, and she looked up at me with gratitude in her eyes.
As we made our way through my parents’ home, I brought Lucy into the library, my mom’s pride and joy. Dark cherrywood shelves covered three walls from floor to ceiling, but the fourth wall was all glass and overlooked the yard and pond out back.
“Wow, this is stunning.” She ran her hand along one of the two wingback chairs that faced outside. “I don’t think I’d ever leave this room.”
When her eyes met mine, something inside me ached with yearning. It was as if there was a vacancy in me that I wanted her to fill.
“It seems as if you’ve intrigued my brother Jack.”
“Did I?” A cute crease formed between her eyes.
“Let’s just say I’m glad I met you first.”
She grinned and walked toward the window. I stepped up behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders, touching my chin to her hair as we took in the view.
“So, tell me what you like in a man.”
Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink as she glanced at me from the corner of her eye. Tilting her head a bit, she considered my question.
“Someone who is well read,” she said slowly, frowning in thought, “understands the world revolves around more than just the bottom line, and that people can’t be bought.”
Turning to face me, she added earnestly, “There are a lot of people in the world who don’t see the good in others. That’s the problem with our society. When people let social status dictate who someone should have in their life and who should be shunned, that causes division. History has taught us that not everything is cut and dry.”
“You should be in politics.” I chuckled and kissed her temple, taking a moment to inhale her scent, something light and vaguely floral.
“No,” she whispered, her breath tickling my throat. “Thank you. I’ll leave that to you.”
I pulled back and grasped her elbows, gazing into her eyes.
“I want to date you, Lucy. I mean, actually date you.” I slid my fingers down until they were linked with hers. “What do you think?”
When she didn’t reply right away, my stomach clenched with worry I’d pushed her too far. But then her eyes lit up and she gave me a wide, genuine smile.
“I think I’d like that.”
That was all I needed to hear. I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her, enjoying the feel of her palms pressed against the center of my back.
“Let’s say our good-byes and finish this date elsewhere,” I suggested.
When Lucy pushed back, her brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed, I quickly said, “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I thought we’d go for ice cream.”
She squinted at me. “Ice cream?”
“Yes, you know the frozen confection that’s typically served in a cone?” I smirked, and she shook her head. “Come on, let’s go. I may even splurge for sprinkles.”
Chapter 7
Lucy