Page 62 of The Keeper and I

That evening, the guys went outside to play a little two-on-two football. Laci and Pam were unwilling to get cold and muddy so they remained inside with glasses of wine, face masks, and sugar cookie dough in a bowl. Laci still had her necklace on, insisting it made her dressing gown elegant.She tried not to let the insistent "Merry Christmas" messages from Dane sour the mood. He sent a picture of a festively wrapped gift on her doorstep.

Her mother must have caught the disgusted look on her face.

"What is it?" Pam asked.

"Just Dane being creepy again," Laci sighed. She turned her phone around to show her mother the picture.

"Oh, my." Pam recoiled. "Forward that to the police."

"Already done."

They headed to the living room, where Laci set her phone face down on the end table.

“Let's talk about something nice, like how sweet Jordan is,” Pam said as they took their seats on the couch. “I knew this was special from the way he kissed you at that match, but seeing you together in person is even more convincing. He adores you, Laci. That gift was just…perfect.”

Convincing. Laci swallowed a mouthful of cookie dough. "Yeah, I agree."

“I hope you thanked him properly,” Pam said with a wink.

“Ugh, Mum!”

“Don’t clutch your pearls at me. I know what young people get up to. I was your age once too, you know.”

“Like you and Dad aren’t still going at it.”

“It is magnificent.” Pam looked dreamily into her wine glass. “Your father is truly my soulmate. And you may have found yours.”

“I dunno about that, but I think it is getting serious.”

“I should hope so. I’d hate to think you’re with someone you don’t see a real future with.”

Laci looked down at her lap. What she feared had come true. Her mother wanted to talk about her relationship. She was going to have to lie. Part of her wondered if she was underestimating her mother. Maybe a fake relationship was something she could get her head around for the sake of safety. And yet, Laci didn’t want to talk about the pretense either. Her heart was mixed up as the cookie dough they were eating.

Her eyes welled with sudden tears. “I don’t want it to end, Mum.”

“Why should it, darling?” Pam pulled Laci into her arms. “Oh, dear. I know the start can be shaky, especially as you get used to each other. But in the end, it makes you stronger.”

“Yes, but…” Laci sniffled. “I really…I think I’m falling for him.”

“Frightening, isn’t it?” Pam said, stroking her daughter’s hair. “All you can do is be honest. Let him know how you’re feeling. He might be exactly where you are, but if neither of you speaks up, how can you know for sure?”

But Laci was sure how Jordan felt. He’d laid it out in explicit terms that he was uninterested in real love. She wished he was bad at this. Maybe then it wouldn’t be so crushing. She went into this to keep herself safe, but the way things were progressing, she stood to get hurt.

Chapter 15

Facebrightandcheeksflushed, she led him out of the ballroom. The music faded as they put distance between themselves and the waltzing guests. They headed for their usual hiding spot in the south parlor. He followed her, stumbling from intoxication. But it was not the drink that made him tipsy, it was her. Her soft blonde curls complemented her round, kind face. Her fierce blue eyes sparkled when she looked at him. And her sweet, gentle disposition made her radiant. He was drunk on all of her.

“This way,” she hissed, though he knew the route well enough.

He closed the door behind them and pinned her against it, caging her between his arms.

“We must be quick,” he whispered. “Your father and brothers will notice you’re gone.”

“Let them notice,” she said. “I’m telling them tonight.”

His eyes went wide. “Are you sure?”

“Quite.” Her eyes betrayed no fear. “I love you, my darling. I don’t care if they disown me. I don’t need an inheritance if I have you.”