“I thought they were just friends,” Ellenor whispers. “But they went to the movies last night.” Her eyes dart towards the kitchen, where Jack’s hand still lingers a little too close to Lily-Anne’s.
“Alright, this time, I’ll make you a swan with a heart,” Jack says. “Are you ready?”
No.
I step forward, positioning myself so the roses are somewhat concealed by the island bench, and set my keys down loud enough to get their attention.
Lily-Anne spins around, her smile faltering when she sees me. She takes a step away from Jack. “Brandon! Hi. You’re back.”
Jack leans back against the counter, unbothered as he wipes his hands on a tea towel. “Alright there, Brandon?”
“What are you doing here, Jack?” There’s an edge to my voice—I don’t bother hiding it.
Lily-Anne glances between us, sensing it. “We were just making coffee—”
“We were killing time while we waited for you,” Jack interrupts, flashing me a confident grin. “We’re ready to head off when you are.”
His implication lands on me like a weight.He cannot be serious.
I straighten, forcing calm into my voice. “You’re not coming with us.”
He raises his hands in surrender. “I know I shouldn’t have rocked up like this. But when Lily-Anne mentioned the castle to me last night, and my own plans fell through, I thought I’d tag along. She mentioned some flower basket-making thing—wouldn’t mind giving that a crack. That’s alright with you, isn’t it, Brandon?”
Amidst the monologue, I don’t miss the dig: he was with Lily-Anne last night.
My teeth clench as he shifts closer to her, his hand sliding behind her on the counter, all but holding her waist. Her cheeks go pink, and my mind spins out trying to guess what exactly transpired between them. A shared kiss? A shared bed? How deep do the feelings run?
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Lily-Anne says quietly to Jack.
He gives a small pout that only he can make look endearing. “Really? You said I could come…”
“Well, no, not exactly—”
“The creative workshop has to be booked,” Ellenor interjects, glancing at me. “Doesn’t it, Brandon?”
It’s a weak excuse, but I nod. If Jack has any shred of decency, he’ll take the hint and leave.
He doesn’t.
“Don’t worry about me,” he says with a shrug. “The gardens are open to the public. As for the workshop, I’m sure they can fit me in. And if not, Lily-Anne and I can share a basket—you don’t mind, do you, Lil?”
Lily-Anne’s gaze flicks to mine as if seeking permission. She’s visibly uncomfortable, though I can’t discern if I’m the cause.
Jack catches her hesitation. His expression dims, shoulders instantly drooping as another perfect pout forms on his lips. “You’re not against me coming, are you?”
“No, not at all,” she says hesitantly, gnawing her lip. “And we can share baskets.”
“Easy—problem solved!” Jack turns his lazy smile back to me, except this time, there’s something challenging in his gaze. “So, what do you reckon, Brandon? Got room in the car for one more?”
I wish I were a good liar so I could send him away. He shouldn’t be here. This is my home. My space. Yet I’m the one who’s intruding.
My hope of talking to Lily-Anne has completely dissolved, and if disappointment could wilt flowers, the ones in my hands would be dead. At least they haven’t spotted the bouquet, though how I'll slip away without being noticed remains to be seen.
“There’s room,” I allow, my words clipped.
“Brilliant!” Jack says, adding conversationally, “He doesn’t like it when plans change at the last minute—do you, Brandon?”
Christ, don’t push your luck.
