“Uh, I left my clothes on the counter,” I say, gesturing back to the bathroom like they wouldn’t know what counter I was talking about if I didn’t. “Where’s Miles?”
Rafe and Elliott share a look, before Elliott shakes his head. “He went for a run. He’ll be back soon.”
My nose crinkles. “A run?”
“It’s how he releases excess energy,” Rafe says as if that’s an explanation of why he would just ‘go for a run’ before our date was officially over.
Elliott rubs at the back of his neck, his tongue pushing out his cheek, as he focuses on the counter. “Lilah, we need to talk.”
“We donotneed to talk,” Rafe says, pure annoyance at his pack mate painted on his face. “What did we just talk about?”
I’m not sure what he wants to talk about, and I’m not sure I even want to know with Rafe’s reaction. Shaking my headbefore I even decide what to say, I wet my lips. “Elliott, it was just a kiss. I know. Flirting’s fine between two consenting adults. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Elliott’s eyes dull a bit, losing their depth, and I wonder if I said the wrong thing. “Of course.” He nods, flicking his eyes to Rafe, who gives him a tight smile.
“So, are you three sending me home?”
“No,” echoes between them, and Rafe adds, “Final two, Lilah, remember?”
Ignoring the painful thump of my heart, I nod. “Yeah, final two.”
CHAPTER 23
Lilah
It feelslike a different world when I step back into the mansion with the other omegas. Chad descends on me the second I’m through the door. Willow’s not too far behind.
“Bitch, I knew you’d make it,” he says with a wide grin. “Tell me every detail.”
The other omegas trail into the living room, all of them looking for a story time, I’m sure. Seeing no way to avoid it, I perch on the edge of a chair and give the barest of details. Breakfast, go-kart, mini-golf, and a small picnic lunch that was awkward as hell after Miles returned from his run.
Not that I mention that detail. I didn't mention the run. Or the kisses. Or my lack of blockers.
They all act like they are excited that I'm back, but I see the calculation in Hailey’s eyes and the way Blair leans toward her and whispers something. They look like mean girls. And it makes my stomach drop.
Soon the omegas disburse, with the exception of Chad. He sinks into the couch on my right and eyes me. “Tell me the real story.”
A blush rises to my cheeks, and I shake my head denying his words. “I did.”
He purses his lips into his pouty smile and says, “We both know you didn’t. I saw production go into your room and grab some of your things. Spill.”
I swallow and glance at both of the entrances into the large room. “Not here,” I say.
He grins and stands up, offering me his hand. I take it and we head out to the patio. The other omegas are all busy getting ready for the ceremony tonight, so we should have some privacy. And if I’m going to admit this to him, I have to do it without the chance of them hearing.
He tugs me down to the cushions of an outdoor couch that faces the back of the mansion. Rolling my lips between my teeth, I think of how to start and what to say. As I pull my leg up and face him, he watches me with an expectant look as nerves run through me. Then I do the one thing I said I never would again; I trust an omega that isn’t my sister with my secrets.
As I finish the full story, leaving nothing out, he inhales. “Damn girl. I didn’t think you had it in you. I love it.”
“I surprised myself.”
He chuckles. “What do you think Rafe meant, you are off limits? It has to be something big since I’m pretty sure that man was half in love with youbeforeyour little adventure today.”
“You don’t believe in love, Chad.” I roll my eyes and look back toward the house. The idea of Rafe being in love with me encourages the butterflies to explode in my stomach, even though I know it isn’t true.
He shakes his head. “I actually do. For other people, maybe. At least I think I’ve seen people in love, and I'm pretty sure Rafe has all the signs.”
Dropping my leg back to the patio, I lean back into thecushions. “It’s all fake, remember?” I say dryly, looking up at the changing colors of the sky from the setting sun. I need to remember that. “A production put on for views.”
