Page 64 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

“I share my location with both her and Lance.”

She shares her location. Now that she’s said it, I don’t think it’s a bad thing for her, but for me, that sounds like a nightmare. People always know where I am. It feels like zero privacy. Privacy I’ve been very vocal about needing.

“I will ask her to leave,” she says. She’s nervous with me, and I hate that I’ve somehow made her this way by my rules.

I pull into the driveway, and through the rearview mirror, a petite blonde pops out of the car all smiles and waving a bottle of champagne. Just like Lily said.

“She brought champagne,” I mumble, trying desperately not to show my frustration.

“I told you she does that. Seriously, though, we will go to a hotel. I will quickly pack a bag, and we’ll be in and out.”

I let out a deep sigh.

I like this girl. A lot. I also like having her at the house with me, and I invited her to indefinitely be my roommate. If I want her to stay, then I’m going to need to bend on this one rule. Just a little for her. I know demanding that she basically never invite anyone over isn’t being fair, especially if she’s supposed to make this her home too. And this girl, Morgan, she isn’t just anyone. She’s her best friend and business partner. I need to let it go. I have to.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine,” I tell her, resigned to the fact that in just a few minutes, she’ll be inside my space, and I will not be getting the opportunity to finally be inside my girl.

“It’s not fine. You explicitly made no visitors one of your rules, and I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, but that was before you decided to stay as my roommate. You are staying, right?”

“Yes. I’d like to,” she says, still a little nervous and appearing a lot shy.

“Then it’s settled,” I tell her, smiling so she knows I’m not mad. Briefly, my mind skips back to Dean. Is this how it was between them? Something would happen that would make him upset, and she’d get nervous and apologetic? I understand that she’s wary because technically, this does break one of my rules, but I’m not mad about it. It is what it is.

“This feels wrong.” She frowns.

“Lily, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s fine. Your friend is here to see you, so let's go say hi.” I unbuckle my seat belt and open the door.

“Tyler,” she calls my name, and I turn back to look at her. “For what it’s worth, I was really looking forward to a different kind of evening.”

You and me both.

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I sure do hope you’ll hold me. Tight,” she teases, and I groan.

“You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?”

“Trouble? No,” she draws out. “That’s not exactly how I would describe me,” she says with a sparkle and a little mischief in her eye.

My stomach tightens as blood runs south. Damn, all this girl has to do is look at me and toss some flirty phrases my way for my dick to respond. Something tells me she isn’t trouble per se, but it’s me, I’m the one who’s in trouble. Even if I thought I would be able to maintain some level of control over this, us, I’m now certain I was wrong. She’s going to own me.

“Oh, Lil.” I shake my head at her, and she giggles as she throws open the door and jumps out. I watch as they run to each other and the two of them embrace in the middle of the driveway and laugh.

“What are you doing here?” Lily is so happy to see her. I feel bad that for a moment her joy was overclouded by worry over my reaction.

“I came to celebrate! How could I not? The minute we hung up the phone after you told me about the book signing, I knew I needed to come. Plus, you’ve been here long enough. It was time for me to visit and see what you’re up to.”

At this point, I’ve gotten out and rounded the bed of the truck, as I’ve reached in to grab my bag, and she spots me.

“You must be Tyler,” Morgan says, all smiles. She thrusts out her hand for me to shake, which of course I do. “I’m Morgan. It’s nice to meet you.”

I glance at Lily, and she’s raised one brow at me, glancing back and forth between our connected hands and my face, obviously remembering that I wouldn’t shake her hand. I roll my eyes, then take a step back. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Isn’t this just so exciting?” She turns back to Lily. “I can’t believe you got invited to do a signing at Between the Pages Bookstore,” she squeals. “We have to celebrate.”

“But I haven’t agreed to do the signing.” She laughs at her friend. That sound is like music to my ears.