Chapter 185

This time, it was really morning as I woke up.

Sunlight streamed through my window, covering my entire room in a glow. I turned in my bed and frowned when I noticed that the opposite side of the bed appeared slept in.

My confusion was soon replaced with realization as the events from the previous night flooded through my mind.

Lucas and I kissed on the couch. Things didn't progress any further than that, but I remember Lucas carrying me up to my bedroom when I started to fall asleep again.

He was about to leave my room to go to his own bedroom when I'd said, "No. Stay here."

"You want me to sleep here with you tonight?" Lucas asked from the doorway cautiously.

"Yes," I said, patting the empty space next to me. "Come."

It didn't take any further convincing for Lucas to slide under the covers next to me. He pressed his front against my back and cuddled me until I fell asleep.

Looking at the space he once occupied, I figured he must've woken up already. A content smile played on my lips.

I sat up, tossing the covers off me as I went to go see where he had gone.

As I reached my door, the sound of hushed voices downstairs made their way to me. I remained silent, trying to figure out who was talking.

It sounded like Grandma Jo and Lucas, engaged in what seemed like a serious conversation. My heart skipped a beat, wondering what they were discussing.

"When did you even get in?" I heard Lucas ask her. "We didn't hear you come in."

"That's none of your business," Grandma Jo replied, clearly not wanting to give Lucas any juicy details on her personal life. "And stop avoiding my question. What were you doing in Shana's room?"

My cheeks turned red as they heated up. Grandma Jo had seen Lucas in my room? Oh no, had she seen him sleeping in the bed with me?

Grandma Jo knew we were together, but we had never done anything inappropriate in her house before. I wondered if she was mad... I had a feeling that she might be.

"I fell asleep," Lucas said simply.

"You fell asleep," Grandma Jo repeated slowly. "That's all? I find that very hard to believe, Lucas. I leave the two of you alone for a few hours and you get up to no good."

I put my hands over my cheeks, trying to cool them down. This was so embarrassing! I didn't even consider that Grandma Jo might find out Lucas and I slept together.

Sure, we didn't do anything, but that's not how it looked to her. I silently prayed that Lucas would be able to clear things up for us.

"Really, Grandma? We didn't do anything. I promise you."

"Then tell me exactly how you ended up there."

Lucas's sigh was long and deep. "Shana was tired so I carried her up to her room and tucked her in. As I was leaving, she asked me if I could lay with her for a while. But it turns out I ended up falling asleep... which is why I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday."

Grandma Jo seemed to consider his retelling with a hum.

"I understand the two of you have fixed things, and I want you to be together. I enjoy seeing the both of you together," Grandma Jo said.

"Thanks," Lucas interrupted her. "That means a lot coming from you."

"I wasn't finished yet," her voice reached me, carrying a mix of authority and concern. "I like you two together, but there are rules that must be followed in this house."

Blushing, I grasped the situation— the talk about rules could only mean she knew Lucas had spent the night. So, she had seen us.

"I didn't think I would have to have this conversation with you, but it appears like I do," Grandma Jo said.

"Grandma, please," Lucas's voice sounded both disgusted and uncomfortable. "Please don't. We don't have to have a lot about any of that stuff."

"Well, I want to explain the rules to you," she retorted.

"I think I know what the rules are, and I get it."

"Do you?" Grandma Jo pressed. "Are you being safe? Are you using protection?"

"Grandma, please!"

Suppressing a giggle, I decided to face the situation head-on and join them in the kitchen. This was definitely a conversation I wanted to witness in person. Even though it involved me, seeing Lucas embarrassed by his grandma was on my bucket list.

"Morning," I greeted when I made it into the kitchen. I took a seat at the table with a playful grin on my face, trying not to give away my amusement.

Lucas looked horrified to see me there and I could see the thoughts right on his face. He was wondering how much of that conversation I had overheard.

"Sleep well, dear?" Grandma Jo's knowing look met mine.

"Great actually," I said while looking directly at Lucas. "What about you, Lucas?"

His ears turned bright red as he cleared his throat, afraid to look me or Grandma Jo in the eyes.

I think Grandma Jo saw what I was trying to do because she sighed and shook her head. However, she tactfully avoided delving into her earlier conversation with Lucas.

"How was your outing?" I asked Grandma Jo as Lucas joined us at the table.

"It was fun. It's nice to go out every once in a while," she said, keeping it brief. "But I don't know if I'll be going out for a while. I feel like I have things to look after here."

She didn't say much, but that sentence implied more than what she needed to say.

I looked at Lucas and he gave me a sheepish smile, clearly thinking the same thing as me.

He gently tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and left a sweet kiss on my cheek.

"So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, his eyes filled with warmth that made my heart flutter.

As we pondered our options, Grandma Jo's words broke through the air. "I don't care what you two do, as long as you're safe. Just keep it out of my sight and hearing, you hear?"

Lucas groaned playfully, and I couldn't help but laugh at the amusing spectacle. "Grandma, I thought we were done with this conversation!"

"I just want to make myself clear and be sure you understand me," she said innocently. "Nothing wrong with that."

"Oh, don't worry, we understand you perfectly! Now can we please never talk about this again?"

"As long as you promise to listen to what we talked about—"

"Yes! I promise!"

I had to hold back my giggles at Lucas's outburst. Grandma Jo's topic of conversation made me equally uncomfortable, but seeing how much it bothered Lucas made me less embarrassed.

We continued with breakfast, the atmosphere lightened by clinking cutlery and occasional laughter.

Once we finished eating, Lucas turned to me, anticipation in his gaze. "So, what would you like to do today?"

I was about to suggest going for training when my phone rang, interrupting the moment.

A strange feeling hit me, making me feel uneasy.