More Than Love (NG3)

38 - Together

The closer they got to The Point, the more excited he felt. Robbie knew he was bringing his girlfriend, but his friend didn't know about her connection to Sasha.

She had slept over the night before so they could get an early start. Making love with Laney was not like the sex he experienced before. He wasn't a fuck boy, as Payton called them. He had dated a handful of women and had sex with them before the relationships fizzled. Never had he felt the same connection as with Laney.

After the first night, the previous weekend, his bed felt empty. He slept alone for years and it never bothered him. He wanted Laney next to him. Even if she didn't feel comfortable making love at Sasha's, he wanted to hold her.

He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Are you nervous?"

She shook her head. "Not like meeting your family."

"They loved you."

His mother called him Sunday night to tell him not to screw it up. "Sasha will never forgive you. Honey, I know you love your father, but you aren't like him. Don't think you are."

She was very emphatic. Although he knew in his heart he and Davis were different, it was nice to hear.

Davis heard about all the family meetings and wanted his turn. Reed couldn't forget his father had met Laney previously. "My father wants us to come over."

She turned to him with a cocky grin. "My ex."

He squeezed her hand. "Don't start. Although the misunderstanding resulted in my job. I need to go to Rochester next week to tour another project."

"How long?"

"Just one night. I'll leave early and be back late the next day. This is what I dreamed about growing up. I wanted exciting projects. I feel like a real architect."

"Everyone should love their job."

"I do finally. The days fly by."

"Like when I paint?"

He released a bawdy laugh. "Baby, I'd get fired if I worked like you paint. You are beyond sexy. Just thinking about it makes me hard."

She feigned shock. "My parents like you."

"Even Jake. A surprise and nice bonus."

Laney sighed. "If only he could let the anger go."

"Try not to get in the middle of it. He needs to work it out. I want to protect Sasha, but I need to let her deal with it. It's her past."

"I know. If only they could spend some time together."

Reed squeezed her hand. "If you concoct something, Jake will see through it. You've known them for only a few months. Give it time. Jake will mellow on his own."

"Will Sasha stop crying when she sees me?"

With an uninhibited laugh, Reed shook his head. "That's Sash. She cries when I visit. Oh man, I get excited when I drive across the causeway."

The marsh grasses were green and tall. High in the sky, the sun indicated a perfect summer day. Even if it was raining, it would be perfect with Laney.

"It's gorgeous. I can see why she lives here."

Reed knew the truth. Davis' betrayal left her with nothing. He soiled her home, so the cottage became her sanctuary. No one was truly alone on The Point.

"People here care about her."

He drove past The Landing and turned right on Puffin. The cottage was the last one closest to the beach. He was glad, especially when he carried his board. Robbie's family cottage was further from the beach but closer to the end, where they usually surfed. After he parked the car, they weren't out of it when Sasha ran out to greet them. She hugged him first, but Laney for a few seconds longer.