Page 45
I’m in so deep now, I’m not sure I’ll ever get out.
Chapter Thirteen
BECKETT
Lily’s throat bobs as she swallows, then she blinks a few times, seemingly trying to hide her tears. Crimson creeps up her porcelain skin, and it takes everything in my power not to reach out and palm her cheeks, wanting to do anything I can to soothe her pain and embarrassment.
Because she has nothing to be embarrassed about.
“Do you ever get a break?” I ask and immediately regret it when her gaze snaps to mine. “Sorry.” I cringe. “I’m only asking because, as you know, I grew up with a single mom and I wish I’d seen how little time she had when I was younger.”
“I can promise you, she never would have expected you to notice that.”
“I know. I still wish I had.”
With the corners of her lips pulling into a smile, Lily rests her chin on her knuckles and glances away in thought. “I’m having me time right now,” she muses with a half laugh.
“Aside from now? I mean other than one-off events.”
“I knew what you meant, and I do. Ava’s dad takes her some weekends and—”
“Do you work those weekends?” I stare at her pointedly and she giggles softly.
“I work with my best friend. If I have time to myself, I’d be spending it with her anyway. We have fun while we work.”
I’m thankful she didn’t say she works with my sister, but still, the thought of Henley crosses my mind. Maybe I could talk to her about hiring extra staff so Lily can take some time off. Maybe I could offer to pay the staff myself.
“I don’t think I have it bad,” Lily continues. “If anything, I miss Ava when she’s not around. And I have no doubt your mom would have felt the same. I know she misses you now.”
“Ouch.” I exaggerate a punch to the gut, and Lily’s body shakes as she laughs.
“That only hurts because it’s true.”
“Double ouch. Who knew you had a dark side.”
Her laughter increases, and while I’m more drawn to her with every moment we spend together, I’m also growing more protective. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone so intrinsically pure. She’s honest and raw, innocent and so incredibly genuine that I can’t imagine how anyone could walk away from her. Let alone Ava.
And yet, that’s exactly what I should be doing. For her sake more than mine.
Instead, I lean forward with intrigue, ready for another big night, settling in to learn everything I can about her. And just like in Vegas, we talk until the bartender announces last call. Not that either of us were actually drinking.
A comfortable silence settles between us, and I’m about to offer to walk Lily back to her room, when she speaks first, dismissing me before I’ve had the chance.
“Thank you for another wonderful end to my evening,” she says with a shy smile. “Can I call you the next time I have a function to attend?” A gentle laugh escapes her while she stands, and I stand with her, watching as her expression softens. “This is going to sound crazy, but I haven’t felt this comfortable around anyone—your sister aside—for…well…ever. And as nice as that is, it’s also freaking terrifying. I like you, Beckett. There’s something about you that has me wanting to blurt out every deep thought that’s ever passed through my mind, like now, and it’s scaring the hell out of me. Try as I might, I can’t pretend you’re not Henley’s brother. That you’re not famous. And that you don’t live thousands of miles away.” She takes a quick breath before continuing on, as though trying to get everything out in case I attempt to refute what she’s trying to say. “You nailed it earlier when you mentioned Ava. My every thought, action, and decision have always been for her. And while I could be making a complete fool out of myself for what I’m about to say, I think we should end our night here. And say our goodbyes.”
She glances down at her nails, gnawing at her bottom lip, while I’m momentarily stunned, replaying her words as I read between the lines.
When understanding hits, relief overwhelms me. It shouldn’t surprise me that she feels exactly the same way I do. She’s protecting herself and her family just like I always have. And I admire the hell out of her for it.
Gently clasping her chin, I lift her head until she’s facing me and stare into her arresting eyes. “You might just be the only person to ever understand me without me having to explain.”
Her breath hitches as the whites of her eyes grow and I’m not even finished. “So that there’s no confusion, and no second-guessing our moments together, I like you too. A hell of a lot. And if things were different—”
“I know,” she interrupts me, pulling away from my grasp. “You don’t have to explain it. But thank you for saying that. At least I know I wasn’t imagining our connection.” Her nervous blush returns, and she brushes a hand across her face, possibly hoping to wipe it away.
“You weren’t. I—”
Lily presses her finger to my lips and quietly shushes me. “It’s going to be easier if you don’t say anything else.” She laughs to herself, and a soft chuckle releases from the back of my throat.
