Page 85 of Spurred On

“You’re right. Of course.” Her gaze flicked to Sidney. “How’s Mom?”

“She’s fine. She has no idea what’s happening.” And that was a blessing—as tragic as it was. “Lisa and Claire came over and stayed with her yesterday. Claire is coming back today.”

“Oh,” Hanna said in a pert tone. Her gaze drifted to Cody and danced over his bare chest and his grungy sweats. Thank God his erection had subsided. Alarms and fear and cacophony had a tendency to, ahem, shatter a mood. Even when there were mermaids involved. “And . . . Cody stayed tonight?”

There was more than one question there. Trepidation sizzled up his spine at her expression.

Yes, he had stayed, but he hadn’t stayed.

He forced a laugh. “Sorry, Hanna. I took your room.”

Her brow lifted in an exquisite arch. “Really?” She glanced at Sidney, who opened her eyes all wide and innocent.

“I thought the frills suited him.”

Yes. It was an exceptionally girly room, but he’d wanted to be close if Sidney needed him.

“You and Logan can take the downstairs guest room. Unless”—Sidney batted her lashes—“you want to change the sheets and sleep in your own room. I’m sure Cody and Logan won’t mind sharing the queen.”

Hanna sniffed. “The guest room is fine. But I want to check on Mom before we go to bed.”

The teakettle whistled and Sidney hopped up. “I’ll make the tea.”

“Valerian, please,” Hanna said, and she and Logan headed upstairs.

Once they were gone, Cody laughed. “That was exciting.”

“Wasn’t it?” Sidney crossed her eyes. “They could have called.”

“Yeah. But I’m glad they’re here.”

“Me too.”

“It’ll make it easier for you.” He hated saying it, because the fact that her sister was here made him more than unnecessary. It made him the guy who was hanging around in a pathetic attempt to spend more time with her.

“And you,” she said, though she didn’t meet his eye.

His nerves fizzled. His fingers closed into a fist. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “You won’t have to stay with me.” She flicked a look at him. “You can get back to your life.”

She was his life.

“I don’t mind staying, helping.” The words caught in his throat. “Your dad means a lot to me.”

Oh crap.That’s not what he’d meant to say. She meant a lot to him. She did.

“Of course.” She cleared her throat. “You’re welcome, of course. I . . . appreciate having you around.”

He tipped his head to the side. “Do you?”

“Yes.”

What a freaking awesome thing to hear. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me,” he said with a grin. It thrilled him to the core that she grinned back.