Lo grabs my chin and turns my head towards him. “Did you just stick your tongue at him?” He wears an amused grin.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“She did,” Ryke rats me out.
“He flipped me off!” I refute.
Lo kisses me on the lips, shutting me up. Oh… When he breaks, his warm breath hits my ear. “I love you.” My heart flutters at the words. Before I can reciprocate, his phone vibrates on the counter.
I catch a glimpse of the screen, my stomach dropping. “Maybe you shouldn’t answer it.”
Lo takes the phone and presses the receiver to his ear. “Hey Dad.” He walks towards the bedroom for privacy.
To preoccupy my mind, I go to the fridge and find a Cherry Fizz, popping the can. I remember I owe Connor a thousand bucks for passing my econ exam. I’m not in the mood to fish out my checkbook right now, but I’ll plan a search for it later. It may very well be hiding underneath my bed. Or in a random purse.
“Connor,” I say, “Can I pay you later for our bet?”
One of Ryke’s eyebrows arches. “What bet?”
Connor distractedly answers and texts at the same time. “A thousand dollars on whether or not she would pass her econ exam. And Lily, I don’t want your money.”
“Oh…”
“However, I’d love a favor.” He has yet to look up at me.
Ryke lets out a short laugh. “Youwouldchoose favors over cash.”
Connor doesn’t argue.
“What kind of favor?” I ask.
“When you feel up to it, I think you should work for your sister. It doesn’t have to be now. Maybe sometime in the spring. She’s looking to hire an assistant at Calloway Couture, and I know she’d love for you to be involved.”
My stomach sinks. “As much as I’d like to be working with my sister, I know nothing about fashion.”
“That’s why you’re anassistantand not running the company.”
“That doesn’t sound fun.”And how will I be able to take sex breaks?I can’t believe that’s all I can think about: how to schedule in porn, how to sneak Lo through her offices, how to find time to feed my desires.
“Well, you lost the bet, so you owe me.”
“Can’t I just pay you?”
“No, that’s too easy.”
I sigh, wondering if I’ll be able to squirm out of the deal as it approaches later in my life. Probably not, but by the time it happens, maybe I’ll be okay with my decision. So I nod. “Okay. I’ll be her assistant sometime in the future.”
“Near future.” He types something in his phone and then stands. “I have to take this.” He presses the cell to his ear and heads into the living room. Leaving me alone with Ryke.
I hop on the counters by the cabinets and face him.
Ryke glances over his shoulder at the hallway where Lo disappeared. “Does he like his father? I can’t tell.”
I shrug. “It depends on the day.”
He turns back to me. “What’s he like?”
“Jonathan Hale?”
