Chapter 15 Lily
LILY
For the next few days I ensure I am up and dressed before Max arrives to make me breakfast, surprising him every time, but still he only smiles and goes about his business.
Once he leaves for work, I pick a task for the day and then talk myself into doing it.
The first day, I went shopping at a local boutique I used to frequent, and though I purposely picked a time I knew it would be quiet, I still felt accomplished.
The second day I got my hair done, calling my stylist and telling her I would come into the salon instead of her coming here.
She was surprised but happy to accommodate me, and again, though it wasn’t too busy, it felt kind of nice to do something the old me would.
Then yesterday I took myself to the Met.
Logan always loved walking around it, spending his time pointing things out and making up ridiculous stories, and being there without him was bittersweet.
Which brings us to today.
Today I am going out on a date.
The date is with myself, but that still counts right?
I always used to take myself out to my favorite restaurants at least once a week, especially considering how everyone’s schedules would clash.
We couldn’t always make time to see one another, and when you live in the city that never sleeps, it doesn’t become a problem.
So with that in mind, I take a nice hot shower, pick out a pretty dress, style my blowout, and put on some makeup.
Once I’m dressed, I head out the door before I can change my mind, my stare lingering on Max’s apartment, half wondering if he’s home and whether I should invite him.
Ignoring the longing in the pit of my stomach, I head to the elevator and go straight down to the garage, to a car I haven’t driven in over a year.
I know between Max and Zack they have both looked after it, because it looks as clean as it would have if I had taken it out yesterday.
A thought that warms my chest, as I think about all the unseen ways they have been taking care of me without me even realizing.
Swallowing the emotion down I climb behind the wheel and take a deep breath, before driving myself to Logan and my favorite restaurant.
It doesn’t take as long as I thought, and soon I’m there, handing my keys to the valet and heading inside.
One of the hosts takes my name, before another leads me to a quiet table toward the back at my request.
It feels weird to be out in public alone, let alone have driven myself here, and I have to keep forcing deep breaths in through my nose.
My entire body feels like it might collapse in on itself, as I am seated at a table and the waitress takes my order, but the longer I sit there, the more memories wash over me.
Of Logan and I celebrating our birthday here with our parents, of late night dinners with Zack and Max, of brunches with Elle.
All of them remind me of more than just his death, of more than just the feeling of his loss.
It reminds me that despite the bad, we had a whole lot of good, and if I let myself, I can still have that.
I enjoy a nice steak and forgo a red wine for a cranberry juice instead, considering I drove here and I’m on new meds.
And when I sign the check, I feel just a slither of my old self creeping in.
Once I’ve settled the bill, I start to head to the valet, when someone from my past, or I guess I should say, Logan’s past, calls out my name.
“Lily Royton!”
Turning I find the assessing green eyes of Joseph Grant Junior, son of Senator Joseph Grant, and member of the elite Kinghood secret society.
Logan was also a member during his time in college, thanks to our last name and Zack’s net worth, and he and Joey were once good friends.
Which means by extension, I spent a lot of time during college around Joey and his fellow Kings.
Most people would describe him as handsome, charming, and smart, but those people are idiots. Joey Grant is just as hardcore and ruthless as his father, and would stab you in the back with a smile on his face if it meant him getting ahead.
“Joey,” I greet him, smiling tightly, barely remembering the last time I saw him, though I know it had to be at Logan’s funeral.
I wasn’t exactly fully present in my mind that day, so I have no recollection of him being there, and it’s not like I have been out and about to have seen him since then.
Still, he looks just as I remember, dressed to impress in a custom three-piece suit paired with what appears to be a Patek Philippe watch. He’s never been shy about his wealth, or the power it brings him, and it’s evident in the way he strolls toward me without a care in the world.
“You look as beautiful as always,” he purrs, the no doubt practiced compliment rolling off his tongue, and I try not to roll my eyes at his heavy charm, as he leans in to kiss my cheek in greeting.
“Still always the politician's son, I see,” I reply sweetly, returning his fake smile, and that earns me a huffed laugh.
“I try my best to fit the mold that was made for me,” he replies, straightening each of his cufflinks, because god forbid any part of him be out of place. “I haven’t seen much of you around town, how have you been?” This time his tone sounds a little less forced, as if he is genuinely asking.
He and Logan weren’t best friends or anything, but they were close by association, and he always treated him and me with respect. And though I know he probably feels bad for what happened to Logan, he’s the last person I would ever divulge my emotions to.
“I’m doing well, thank you for asking.” The words come out calm and even, surprising even myself. I guess that’s going to be my new go-to response when people ask.
Maybe if I say it enough, I will start to believe it.
He offers a non-committal hum at my words, cocking his head to the side as he continues to assess me. “You lie about as well as your brother,” he scoffs, as if I have disappointed him somehow, but I’m too locked in on his back-handed insult to care.
“He certainly didn’t have your knack for it,” I toss back, my heckles already rising at his presence, before I find myself adding, “Besides, Logan’s talents lay elsewhere.
” I ensure my voice doesn’t shake as I say his name, still not used to using it so casually in conversation, and if Joey notices, he doesn’t mention it.
“Oh, I was well-versed on all your brother’s talents,” he replies, and I see the moment he thinks he has slipped up and made a mistake.
Does he honestly think his preference for men is a secret?
Logan had plenty of tales to tell me about what went on at a King party behind closed doors, but Joey quickly changes the subject before the topic can linger.
“Theo tells me you’re seeing Dr. Hollis? That’s good, and clearly it’s working.” I don’t blanch at the mention of my therapist, or bother wondering how his fellow king Theodore Wells knows.
If you can be certain of one thing, it’s that a King will always be deep in someone's secrets.
“We all have skeletons in our closet, right?” Again he smiles at my words, as the coat check finally hands me my jacket.
“Are you leaving?” He asks, looking around as if expects me to be with someone.
“Yes I’m leaving,” I reply, and once again his practiced smile returns.
“Then let me have the pleasure of walking you out.” I don’t get a chance to decline before his hand is already at the small of my back, leading me toward the door.
We push through and I hand my ticket to the valet, and much to my surprise, Joey chooses to wait with me, not moving from my side. Even when the valet finally arrives, he guides me to my car and opens the door for me, but before I can thank him, another voice is calling my name in question.
“Lils?”
We both turn to find Zack and two men I don’t recognize, probably some prospective clients, all making their way into the restaurant we just exited.
I force a smile to my face, as I greet him with a casual wave, not making any effort to greet him more than that.
If he wants to act like nothing happened between us, then so be it, but if looks could kill, Joey would be dead on the ground beside him right now.
I hold back my frown, confused as to what’s got him so pissed, when I realize he is probably presuming that I have been out with Joey. Which again, if he wants me to believe he wants to forget about what happened, then why the hell would he care?
Zack barely even spares me a second look, his focus still zeroed in on Joey, like a predator stalking his prey, and in typical Joey fashion, he offers him a flick of his hand and a dangerous smirk.
“Oh you certainly do have skeletons in your closet,” Joey muses, cutting through the silent tension, as he leans in closer so only I can hear him.
His proximity has Zack looking ready to murder him here, witnesses be damned, but one of the men he is with says something, forcing his attention back to them. Only then do I return my stare to Joey and clear my throat.
“I don’t know what you mean?” I quickly deny, and this time his smile is nothing but wicked.
“Please, that wasn’t the look of a protective brother, it was more fitting of a jealous, murderous boyfriend.” His eyes are shining with delight, as he searches mine, but I keep my blank mask perfectly in place.
“And what about your closet of secrets?” I toss back in question, desperately trying to avert his interrogation.
“Which ones?” he asks, sounding almost happy to discuss it, but thanks to Logan, I know more than he probably realizes.
I turn back to the restaurant to find Zack thankfully disappearing inside, his eyes still on mine over his shoulder, and it’s only then I can relax.
Joey is still watching me closely when I meet his stare again, and I know it’s time to go for his jugular, hitting him in the only place I know it will hurt.
“How’s Finn Hilton these days?” I arch my brow in question, noting instantly the way his jaw grinds, before he is the one who has to slam a mask across his expression.
Like I said, Kings are always deep in secrets, even their own.
“Touché,” he grunts back, his smile tightening now, as he finally starts to back away a few paces. “You know, you sound just like him,” he adds, and we both know who he is talking about. “I wonder what he would make of who you're sharing your bed with.”
His taunt is sent to land like a bullseye, but I don’t just sound like my twin, I fight back like him too. “He certainly had a lot to say about who you share yours with.”
Without waiting for him to respond, I shove myself into my car and drive away, ignoring the incoming call that blares through my speaker from my brother.
I only have the tolerance for one cocky billionaire right now, and Joey just used up my daily quota.