“Getting his face painted with Paige.” Meagan pointed to a table nearby but kept her eyes on Charlie. “They’ve already been in the bounce house, eaten a snow cone, and jumped through rounds of potato sack races. And we just got here.”

“Mommaaaaahh!”

Lane spun around and Noah crashed into her legs. His face was covered in green paint with black lines across it. “What are you supposed to be?”

“An alligator!” he squealed.

Meagan smiled and held out her hand to Charlie. “I’m sorry, but it seems like my sister has forgotten her manners. I’m Meagan Sullivan-Gallagher.”

“Charlie.” He smiled warmly as he took her sister’s hand and shook it. “A friend of Lane’s and Noah’s.”

Friend. Lane forced herself to breathe. Friend was good. Friend was casual. Friend stung a little bit.

“Just friends, huh?” Meagan winked at Lane.

“Have you seen Noah?” Charlie teased, looking around. “I wanted to give him a message from Bane, but—”

Noah raised his hand. “I’m right here.”

“What?” Charlie mocked surprise. “No way! You’re an alligator.”

Noah burst into giggles. Charlie was winning Noah’s affection and an alarm sounded in her mind. Her son had already lost one man in his life—the last thing she needed was for Noah to grow attached to a man who might not stick around.

“Where’s Pops?” Lane asked.

“Grabbing some chairs.” Meagan helped Owen off the slide. “Next to the tables.”

“I’ll help.” Charlie jogged over to Pops and grabbed an armful of folding chairs.

“Me too!” Noah chased after him.

Meagan elbowed Lane in the ribs. “The PTA moms were right. He’s cute.”

Lane’s cheeks warmed. “He told you we’re just friends.”

“But your face says you want more.”

Uneasiness spread through her. “I don’t know. I think it’s too early. I’m not sure I’m ready. And I don’t want Noah to be hurt.”

Lane watched Charlie scoop Noah up and spin him overhead. Pops stood by, smiling. Paige and Owen lifted their hands up for their turns. Charlie obliged. He was winning them all over. And hope weaved itself around her heart.

A second chance.

“Look at him.” Meagan put her hands on Lane’s shoulders. “Does he look like someone who wants to hurt you?”

Lane wanted to warn her sister about looks being deceiving, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it because Meagan was right. Charlie didn’t look like the kind of guy who would hurt her or Noah. And that made her feelings all the more complicated. Was she ready?

“Friend, or whatever you want to call him, I’m just happy to see the life back in your eyes.”

“What do you mean?”