Page 112 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“Oh, thank God you understand,” he said and sank onto the couch.
She burst out laughing. “Brennan. Relax. I know the type of person you are. But I have to say it goes a long way that you’re telling me this so early and explaining it.”
“We’ve both been on the receiving end of that shit. And when Celia sees you on Saturday, she’s going to ask how long it’s been. I won’t lie. She’ll know it’s been around the same time we had our date. So I’m going to have some explaining to do and come off like an ass there too.”
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation after one date,” she said firmly. “I told you I had a few first dates and nothing more. Most people get the hint when you don’t want another one and just say that you weren’t feeling it or weren’t ready. What did you tell her?”
“This is the tricky part. I never asked her on another date and she didn’t ask me. She said she had a good time and I sent her thumbs up back.”
“Wow, Brennan. Even I could read that.”
“Exactly. And after no more texts regarding us and dates, she put Becca in the middle at pre-K asking me for a play date. I told her it was hard this time of year and she said after the holidays.”
“She wasted no time,” Alana said.
“Seems it. So yeah, I should have said something, but another date hadn’t come up again.”
“I’ll give you a pass on this because I can tell you’re bothered.”
“I am. I’m sorry. I think things are going so well between us and I’m terrified this might put the brakes on and don’t want that to happen.”
“Awwww. That’s very sweet of you to say. I think things are going wonderfully and my foot is on the gas, not the brakes. If you couldn’t tell by the other night, then you’re more blind than I thought.”
He laughed.
After they’d worn each other out and scraped the skin on their knees, they’d dressed and got under the blanket again cuddling in front of the fire.
Both of their bodies were screaming for something softer.
They moved to the couch, turned the TV on, and watched a comedy that he couldn’t remember the name of because both of them fell asleep and woke just before midnight.
“Oh, I could tell,” he said. “Thanks for being a good sport about this. I’d hoped we could make plans on Saturday anyway.”
“I’ll be there,” she said. “Just tell me when.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“See you in the morning.”
They hung up after that, Brennan feeling relieved. Until he had to see Celia again.
34
OUTSIDE PRESSURE
At eleven, Alana arrived at Brennan’s.
She’d gotten the text that Celia had shown up at ten thirty, even though eleven was the set time.
It was fine for her since she didn’t want to arrive the same time. That might look too staged.
And it’d give Brennan time to bring her up.
But when she walked in the front door and saw the younger woman turn her head, shocked to see someone else entering the house, she realized Brennan hadn’t done it yet.
“Alana,” Becca said, rushing her like she always did and hitting her legs to hug her.
“Hey there, sweetie.”
