Page 48 of How to Resist Prince Charming

Lenna’s eyes widened; she took a step in reverse.

“Savannah!” cried the woman rushing in after Mr. Farris. She ran straight to Braxton’s sister and pulled her into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Savannah immediately gushed, squeezing Mrs. Farris tight.

“Shh.” Mrs. Farris rocked her daughter back and forth. “Everything’s fine now. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Mr. Farris paused next to Braxton and glanced at him, worry evident from every tense muscle on his face. “You okay?”

Braxton jammed his hands into his pockets and nodded. “Yeah,” he answered, watching his mother and sister hug. “Fine.”

Nodding, Spencer went toward the women.

“Hey, now,” he warned as he neared them. “Don’t go getting all mushy. You’ll make Vannah start crying, and it looks like she just got over a spell.”

As Mr. and Mrs. Farris coddled their daughter, Braxton moved next to Lenna. She glanced at him.

His eyes looked concerned, as if he could read her thoughts. When he took her hand, she eagerly latched onto his supportive fingers.

“Okay, you’ve had enough time with her. It’s my turn for a hug,” Spencer said.

His wife rolled her eyes, but let go of Savannah with a slight laugh. She turned toward Braxton and murmured his name.

“Thank you,” she mouthed and drew close to hug him. When she pulled back, she finally noticed Lenna. “Oh! Oh, my. We’re interrupting.”

Lenna started to shake her head, but Braxton’s mother stuck out her hand. “Hello, I’m Raven.”

Lenna swallowed, but took her hand.

“Mom,” Braxton said, sticking protectively close. “This is Lenna. Lenna, this is...my family. All we’re missing is my brother, Ty. But you’ve met him.”

Lenna smiled at his mother once again before glancing toward her father’s old boss. She sweated, just knowing he was going to recognize her from back when he used to let her sit at his desk years ago and play office. He’d always sneak her a couple of quarters so she could to go down the hall and buy a snack from the vending machines, too.

But Spencer Farris barely glanced her way. “It’s nice to meet you,” he murmured and sent her a kind smile. He was too preoccupied with his daughter to give her much notice.

“Well, we’ll leave you two alone,” Raven Farris announced and promptly ushered Savannah and Spencer toward the exit. Throwing a knowing look at Lenna’s wrinkled blouse and skirt, she added, “I’m sure we’ve already ruined enough of your morning.”

Braxton followed his family to the exit. He smiled and shook his head as they walked out, discussing who was going to drive what automobile home. When he shut the door, he kept his hand on the knob for about ten seconds. Finally, he turned and met Lenna’s gaze.

For some reason, she knew he needed her. A strange, needy look marred his face, like he was completely lost. She stepped forward to go to him.

But as soon as she moved, he shocked the snot shaking his head and burying his face in his hands.

“Shit,” he muttered as strangled sobs seized him.

“Braxton?” She gasped and ran the last few steps, wrapping him in her arms.

He clutched at her hair and buried his face against her neck. “I’m s-sorry.” He trembled as he blubbered. “I can’t...I can’t—”

“Then don’t,” she instructed softly and rocked him soothingly, much the same way she’d watched his mother cradle his sister. She ran her hand over his hair and held him while he mourned.

CHAPTER 11

As Braxton calmed, he realized two things.

He’d bawled like a baby all over Lenna. And she’d met his family.

At some point, she’d led him to the couch and had him lay his head on her lap where she stroked his hair and let him grieve to his heart’s content.

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