Lilly:Are you going to leave me?
Keller:Never.
* * *
A black sedanpulls up in front of the palace. Despite the chilly day, the sun is out for a short amount of time, welcoming my much-anticipated guest.
Standing impatiently next to Keller, who is holding my hand, the car comes to a stop and the driver steps out. Rounding the car, he opens the back passenger door, revealing a bronze god.
Timmy Tuna.
I release Keller’s hand and run up to him. “Timmy!” I shout as I fling myself into his familiar arms.
“Holy shit, it’s cold,” he says as he squeezes me tight.
I chuckle and pull away, taking him all in.
“You have a beard.” I smooth my hand over his jaw.
“Because I thought it would help prevent my face from freezing off while visiting you.”
“Smart.” He also dyed his hair brown instead of his usual blond tips, and he’s wearing a big puffy jacket that I’m pretty sure he would never be caught dead wearing in Miami. “And look at you all bundled up.”
“You told me it was cold. I came prepared.” He looks me up and down. “Girl, you’ve come a long way since selling bikinis. You’re so classy now.”
I fluff my hair. “I prefer posh.”
He chuckles, then glances over my shoulder, his eyes widening as his mouth breaks out in a large smile. “Uh, please tell me that’s your fiancé behind you.”
I smirk. “That’s him.”
“Holy mother of God, Lilly.”
Chuckling, I grab Timmy by the hand and pull him over to Keller, who is patiently watching the interaction. “Timmy, I want you to meet my man, Keller. Keller, this is Timmy.”
Keller lends out his hand and Timmy takes it in awe. “It’s very nice to meet you in person finally,” Keller says. “How was the trip? Hopefully pleasant.”
Gobsmacked, Timmy just stares up at Keller for a few moments before saying, “Uh, yeah, it was pleasant.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Keller threads his hands together. “I’d like to stay, but I have a meeting I must attend, but I’m sure you and Lilly want some time to catch up anyway. I’ll see you later for dinner.”
“Sounds great,” Timmy replies.
Keller takes a step forward toward me and lifts my chin with his finger before placing a soft kiss on my lips. “See you later, love.”
“Bye,” I answer right before he takes off.
When he’s out of earshot, Timmy says, “Jesus Christ, Lilly. I think that’s the first time my penis got hard and shriveled up all at the same time. That man is living sin.”
I burst out in laughter and loop my arm around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
* * *
“You know,I believed it from the moment you told me about Keller’s offer in Miami. But now that I’m here, standing in your family’s palace . . .” He faces me and shakes his head. “I don’t think I believe it anymore.”
“How does that make sense?” I ask him as I lounge on the settee in my room, watching him take in every little intricate detail.
“It doesn’t, but it just feels like I’m living in a dream right now.” He turns toward me. “And you’re about to be married in grand fashion. This is all so surreal.”
