“I know. And I’m sorry. It really wasn’t about you. It was about me. I’ve spent so many years hearing I’m not worthy. And then Warren just made it sound so … Ugh. He’s such a …” Lil can’t seem to think of a word bad enough, but I can.
“A manipulative, conniving, lower than a snake’s arsehole bastard?”
Lil laughs. One of her real, full-bodied laughs. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful.
“Yes, that. And I promise I won’t let him get in my head, ever again.”
“You won’t get the chance. Because I plan to spend the rest of our lives showing you how worthy you are, Sparky.”
Tears leak from her eyes again, and we laugh, then kiss. And kiss some more.
Lil’s phone rings from somewhere in the suite. By the time I find it, the ringing has stopped.
“It was your mother,” I tell her, handing over the phone.
Lil puts it on speaker to listen to the voicemail.
“Lili, it’s your mother. Where are you? The wedding supper is about to start. Please tell me you’re not with that boy.”
I huff out a laugh. “They really don’t like me, do they?” Understatement of the year.
“It’s not you—”
“It’s them?” I finish with a laugh.
“Yes. Well, maybe a bit you.”
Lil puts her phone on silent, and I help her up off the floor. We take a long, lingering and very satisfying shower before wrapping up in the hotel robes and ordering room service.
We’ve just finished eating, the dining table littered with empty plates, and are drinking the last of the wine, when there’s an angry banging on the door. I consider not answering, but I know that will stress Lil out. And there’s really no point delaying theinevitable. This conversation—or should I say confrontation—is coming whether I like it or not.
I’ve barely got the door open when Warren storms through.
“You foolish, foolish girl,” he shouts, shoulder-checking me on his way past. “Are you so lacking in sense and morals that you let a handsome face take advantage of you, despite my advice?”
“Please, come in,” I mutter, letting the door drift closed behind a miserable Marion.
“Not answering your phone. Not coming to the wedding dinner. Ruining the night for your mother, who you have worried sick. Not to mention the disrespect you’ve shown Ross and Caroline. If you expect to receive a single cent of your trust fund, you will not continue to disobey your mother and me like this.”
Whoa. First I’ve heard of a trust fund. Not that I should be surprised. But neither am I prepared to hear Lil attacked like this. I’m about to tell him to get out when the fiery Lilavati that I first met—the one who accused me of being at fault in our accident—rises from her chair. No longer the obedient, docile stepdaughter Warren is used to.
“What the hell are you talking about? That trust fund is coming to me from my grandfather and hasnothingto do with you.” She’s like a phoenix, despite the oversized, fluffy white hotel robe, and it’s beautiful to behold.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, if I were you.” Warren wasn’t expecting pushback. He plants his hands on his hips to try and make himself look more imposing in the face of the strength radiating off Lilavati. “I’ll be speaking to your grandmother in the morning.”
There’s another knock at the door, and I open it to find the very person Warren just conjured. He’s miscalculated if he thinks she’s on his team.
“Hello, Grandie.” It’s hard to keep the amusement out of my voice. I pull the door wide. “Come on in. We were just talking about you. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Thank you, Ant. I have a feeling I might need it.” She takes a seat at the head of the dining table like the formidable matriarch she is. “I gather we’re talking about Lili’s trust fund?”
Four sets of eyes land on her.
“I may be old, but I’m not deaf. The entire resort heard you shouting, Warren.” There’s censure in her tone, but Warren sails on, oblivious of the warning.
“Your granddaughter,” Warren snarls, “against my specific instructions, has allowed this degenerate to remain in her life. She is clearly not of sound mind and shouldn’t be allowed access to her trust fund. She’ll no doubt sign it all over to him for his surfing business.”
“Not of sound mind?” Lil yells.
