I told her I’d be at the office and that Lilly should call me when she woke up.
I want to know what she plans to do while she’s living here. So I can make sure she’s safe.
But I don’t need to be physically near her to guarantee that.
Chapter 14
“So, how was it? Did you get there okay?” Martina asks over the phone.
I’ve already had breakfast and decided to call her before tackling my future-to-do list. “I did, but I really need to talk to you. I don’t even know where to start. Remember what I told you about Christmas night two years ago?”
“Of course. You thought your brother’s friend—who’s also a total snack, by the way—was hot as hell.”
“Oh my God, sometimes I seriously question whether you’re really a writer. Your vocabulary is so . . .”
“Vulgar? Sorry if I offended your delicate sensibilities, sister. And FYI, I haven’t even said ‘dick’ or ‘pussy’ yet.”
I start laughing, like I always do when I talk to her. Martina has this magic touch. No matter how bad things are, she always makes me feel better. “Are you going to listen or what?”
“Always, Lillyana,” she teases.
I need to talk to someone about what happened last night.
Until I met Amos, I used to think my brother was the most unreadable man on the planet. You look at Ethan and have zero clue what he’s thinking. But now? The hot, silent mountain of a man has taken the lead by a landslide.
Why did we even argue to begin with?
I planned to stay quiet, to behave, but I can’t help myself. Our little battles are too intense . . . too exciting.
Maybe Martina can give me some advice on how to deal with him without making a complete fool of myself.
One thing I do know: I’m going to try my best to stay out of Amos’s way.
“So, are we having this convo via telepathy or what?” Martina asks. “Because otherwise, you’d better start talking.”
“First of all, I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Just so you know, I hate you a little for abandoning me.”
“Stop it. How are things over there?”
She pauses for a beat too long, and I instantly know something’s up. “I don’t think I can do this, Lilly.”
“Do what exactly?”
“All of it. The wedding. Leaving my family. Giving up writing . . .”
“He wants you to stop writing?” I ask, shocked. That would be sacrilegious—Martina is so talented.
“He probably expects it. I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life smiling and waving like some royal wife. I can’t do it, Lilly. When I go two days without writing, I feel like I can’t breathe.”
“Then don’t. Don’t let anyone else decide your path. Remember what you told me? You only live once.”
“I’ll think about it,” she says, and she does sound a little lighter. “So, you're all settled in at Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome’s place. What else?” She’s never met Ethan, but she saw a picture and was immediately swooning. Not that I blame her—my brother is handsome indeed.
“Yeah, and honestly, that’s why I called.”
“What’s wrong? Did the grumpy friend treat you badly? Amos is his name, right?”
