Lily
I had felt him against me and wanted it, at least, in the heat of the moment I did. And then I went and leaned into the horn. It made me back peddle and think a little clearer — and take a breath while a million different things ran through my head.
How comfortable was sex in a car? Did he have condoms? Of course, he had condoms. Did I want to lose my virginity in the front seat of a Cadillac? I would be exposed to him...
It became a little overwhelming, mostly because I had overwhelmed myself with overthinking, but I think he realized that too. He stopped, and then after a moment of slightly less heated kisses, opened his door for me to climb out and handed me my bag.
He didn’t get out of the car for obvious reasons but caught my hand through the window when I turned to leave. I leaned in through the window, holding the hem of my dress down as he kissed me goodbye—
An obnoxious ringing startled me from my daydreaming while the pen in my hand shot across the page I was doodling on. Drawing a line of black ink through the collection of little flowers I had drawn on the paper.
Suddenly I was back in the foyer at work, straightening in my chair while Candice looked at me from over the rim of her reading glasses. I smiled at her quickly and fumbled for the phone on the desk, answering abruptly. “Yes-hello-sorry... Whitmore Real Estate. How may I help you this afternoon?”
Technically it was 20 minutes to 4 PM, which also meant 20 minutes until the end of my day. And 20 minutes until Dean picked me up for our one-on-one date — and maybe more. But who was counting?
I was a jittery mess of excited energy before the voice on the other end of the call pulled me right back down to reality.
“Lily, it’s Antonio.”
I fixed my face with a mask of composure, aware Candice was probably listening. “Hi... Is everything okay with the property?”
“Yes, it’s perfect... Lily, can you take a look out the front doors for me?”
My eyes went wide, and I looked up, finding nothing of interest through the glass doors. Until I noticed the black Mercedes parked across the street with a very large, bald man leaning against the driver’s door. He was looking directly at me.
“I’m assuming from the silence you’ve spotted Vince. I’ve sent him to collect you.”
Collect me?
“I think we need to have a talk.”
I couldn’t speak.
“There’s nothing to worry about, sweetheart... Unless you’ve done something wrong?” His words echoed through my head.
My throat bobbed. “No-no. I’m on my way.”
“Great. I’ll see you soon.”
The line went dead but I kept the phone against my ear, staring blankly ahead until Candice spoke.
“You know only the agents make house visits,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Y-yes. I do know that.” I hung up the phone, gathered my bag, and brushed off the black slacks and cream blouse I was wearing, stalling as I tried to think clearly. “It’s for a friend. I have to go.”
I didn’t want to know what Antonio might do if I kept him waiting.
Candice’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t just leave—”
“I have less than twenty minutes until my shift ends anyway,” I said sharply, taking a breath as I lifted my bag to my shoulder. “Mom won’t mind if I clock off early.”
Mom won’t mind if I did anything considering she hadn’t spoken to me since picking Jane up from my place two days ago...
I stood on shaking legs and walked around the corner of the desk, ignoring the way Candice gaped at me while I strode for the front doors and stepped outside into the sun.
He just wanted to talk.
I pushed back my shoulders as I crossed the street, approaching the burly bodyguard named Vince. He didn’t say anything as he unfolded his arms, opened the back door of the car, and waited for me to climb in. I did so hesitantly, sliding across the black leather seat.
