Lily bent and raised her knee, creating room between her legs.
“I mean it, Lily. I won’t be late.”
Lily swallowed hard and masked the pleasure in her voice. “We’ll be out in a minute.”
Breakfast was a repeat of dinner last night, but with one more person in the room and way more glares coming from the Whitmore parents as they stood in the kitchen, sipping their coffee with disdain as they watched us at the small table by the kitchen island. The glares were aimed at their daughters, me, and Finn, Jane’s secret boyfriend. Lily and I were in trouble for working around the rule of me not being allowed in her room; Jane and Finn were in trouble because he was caught trying to sneak out of Jane’s room this morning before school.
While Finn and I shared similar situations of being the unwanted boyfriends, I kept an eye on him from across the table. My arms were crossed as I figured out what his intentions with Jane were.
Jane was Lily’s little sister. She earned my protection through association. I was always going to be suspicious of any guy who showed interest in her.
Finn gave the impression of another privileged white boy with golden blonde hair. But instead of being boastful like they normally were, he was softly spoken, awkward, and polite.
“Why didn’t you get him to climb down the trellis? It’s right outside your window,” Lily whispered to Jane, scooping cereal onto a spoon.
“Dad removed it after the last time.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “Last time?”
I shifted in my seat, also interested in hearing the answer with my eyes fixed solely on Finn.
“About a week ago.” A smile came to Jane’s mouth as she spoke. “Finn was caught going out my window to use the trellis. It got him banned from visiting the house.” Her eyes flicked to me. “And nothing happened between us, so calm down, Cujo. We’re aware it’d be illegal since we’re underage.”
I raised an eyebrow but loosened my arms.
Finn relaxed in his seat.
Lily gave her sister and the boy a gentle, sympathetic smile. “It is nice to meet you, Finn. Sorry about our parents.”
“It’s okay. I guess it’s kind of on me for being bad at sneaking. Or climbing.” He laughed nervously.
Jane picked up his hand and locked fingers with him. “You have much to learn, young buck.”
After breakfast, we were ushered from the house with an unspoken warning: No more overnight stays at the Whitmore house for Finn and me.
When Mark headed for his Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Kate went to her Volvo, where she waited to drive Lily to work, Jane and Finn said their goodbyes while walking to where his bike was hidden beside the house.
Lily didn’t move from the porch right away.
I waited beside her and slid on my sunglasses.
The Volvo’s horn tooted three times.
“Just a few more nights,” I said.
Lily huffed but nodded. “I know… I’ll be counting down the days until you come whisk me away.”
“Want me to bridal carry you out that door when this has calmed down?”
She smiled easily. “Yes, please.”
Another round of impatient toots erupted from the Volvo, causing Lily’s smile to fade as she rolled her eyes.
“We should go.” She stepped away.
“Hold on.” I took her wrist, gently guided her back towards me, and scooped her up in my arms.
I craved the laughter that bubbled out of her and the smile that remained on her lips as I carried her the entire way to the car.
