Cocky gentleman, to be fair. Even though I didn’t say a word to him after the garage incident, he still brought my bags upstairs and wished me good night—which, clearly, I’m not going to have, because I’m more wired than ever.
He also rattled off a few instructions about how the apartment works, as if he hadn’t just put me in my place minutes earlier. I got the impression he rushed through it because he wanted to get as far away from me as possible.
Definitely not the kind of guy who enjoys small talk. And now I feel humiliated because yeah—Ethan clearly twisted his arm to let me stay here.
I sigh, defeated.
Best thing I can do now? Take a shower, throw on some fresh pajamas, and spend the night tossing and turning while mentally drafting plans for a perfect future—one that doesn’t involve this apartment or the man who clearly can’t stand me.
But he said he wants you,whispers a devilish little voice in my head.
So what? Desire is physical. That’s it.
Sure. But come on . . . picture that mountain of muscle. Imagine Amos naked, Lilly.
“Shut up, you pervy angel. The last thing I need is a casual fling as my first relationship.”
I wake up with sunlight peeking through the curtains. One glance at my phone tells me it’s past ten. Pretty sure I’ve never slept that long in my life.
It took forever to fall asleep last night. Too many emotions. Too much stimulation in one single day.
The move from Paris alone would’ve been enough to throw me off. Now add sharing a home with a sexy, arrogant demigod?
Just stop, Lilly. Don’t think about him. Just be polite. He’s Ethan’s best friend.
Ethan!
Crap—I forgot to check in like I promised.
I unlock my phone and see two messages from him:
Ethan:Lilly, did you make it? Weren’t you supposed to text me when you got in?
Ethan:Assuming you were too exhausted to call. Just let me know when you’re up.
Oh God, he’s probably preparing a search party.
I hesitate between calling and texting, but I have no idea what time it is in Southern Africa, where he said he’d be, so I go with a text.
Me: Hey, Biggie. So sorry I didn’t check in. I was really tired last night. Made it just fine.
The screen lights up in under five minutes.
Ethan:You’re forgiven—this time. I know you’re safe. I spoke with Amos. How are things between you two?
Oh boy. What now?
No way I’m telling him his best friend and I almost went full-on MMA the moment we saw each other.
Me: All good. He was very helpful.
Ethan:I was worried things might be awkward between you. Glad you’re getting along. Enjoy your day, little sis.
Me: You too.
I hop into the shower, then decide to write up a detailed to-do list for my next steps—until I finally find a place of my own.
I love to-do lists. They’ve always helped me organize my restless thoughts—and right now, I really need a distraction from the fact that I landed in Boston already making a fool of myself.
