Lily, on the other hand, hasn’t taken off a single clothing item, which I’m thanking the heavens for.
It’s bad enough having her gushing over the guys and their muscles.
Again, everyone except me, of course.
When Dean loses another round, I’m done.
“We’ll stop right here,” I say, not giving room for discussion.
Lily rolls her eyes at me.
Dean lifts his hands.
“I have no problem taking it all off,” he says, winking at Lily.
She starts laughing, and I breathe hard, trying to control my temper.
Then she looks at me.
“Calm down, Sebastian. We’re done. No reason to go all-out dragon over there.”
I get up, needing some space, and storm into my bedroom.
I drag a hand through my hair and down my face.
I’m tempted to pick up the phone and call Luke right here and now.
Tell him about my feelings.
Get it out of the way so I can tell Lily how I really feel.
I’m dialing his number, but when it goes to voicemail, I’m feeling just as frustrated and lost as before.
I’m the host for Christ’s sake, and here I am hiding away in my room like a moron over my feelings for a woman.
Not just any woman, though.
This is Lily.
The freaking girl of my dreams for as long as I can remember.
Eventually, I make my way out of the bedroom.
I don’t realise just how much time has passed, but all the guys have left, and Lily is cleaning up the kitchen for me.
God, I really am the worst friend to all of them.
Storming off because I’m a mess and not saying bye to them. Lily is cleaning up the kitchen when I’ve done nothing to deserve her kindness tonight.
She doesn’t say a word; just goes around tidying up, putting the leftovers in the fridge, wiping over the counter.
I stand here, observing her, wanting to say something but not knowing what.
When she can’t take the silence anymore, she speaks.
“You know what, Sebastian? I get that this is hard for you, but so is it for me,” she says, frustration evident in her tone.
“You think this is hard, Lily? I’m going fucking crazy, and I don’t know what to do. What if I end up fucking all of this up, and it leads me to lose both you and Luke? Then what?”
