Chapter 30
I wake slowly,blinking against the sunlight filtering through the blinds. The bed is somehow comfortable but definitely not mine. For a moment, I’m disoriented, unsure of where I am. My mind is struggling to piece together the events of the previous night. Then it comes back to me—last night, driving to Lily’s studio apartment, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves.
I reach across the rumpled sheets, expecting to find her warm body, but my hand meets only cool linen. The space beside me is empty.
Sitting up, I scan the small studio, my eyes taking in every detail. It’s messy, colorful, and filled with my most favorite thing in the world—Lily’s essence. Her personality is etched into every corner, from the paint-splattered easel to the haphazard stack of sketchbooks on the desk. However, there’s no sign of her, no sound of her humming in the kitchen or the soft pad of her footsteps on the hardwood floor.
“Lil?” I call out, my voice echoing in the empty space. There’s no response, only the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of traffic outside.
I make my way to her small bathroom, my bare feet cold against the tile. Unlike the rest of the apartment, it’s neatly organized, her toothbrush sitting in a colorful holder, a stack of fluffy towels on the shelf. But there’s no sign of her in here either, no lingering scent of her perfume or the steam from a recent shower.
Where did she go? Unease prickles across my skin, my heart rate picking up. After last night—she said we’ll talk, right? My mind races with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last. Did she regret letting me stay? Did she change her mind about us?
Why didn’t she wake me up? I pull on last night’s clothes, my movements hurried and clumsy. As I fasten my jeans, my gaze catches on the art covering the walls. I’d been too preoccupied to notice it before, too busy drinking in the sight of Lily’s smooth skin and full lips. But now, the vibrant paintings and sketches capture my attention, demanding to be seen.
Most of the art is signed “LH,” which I assume stands for Lily Harper. My fingers trace the bold strokes, the delicate lines, each one a testament to her talent and passion. Lily’s talent is evident in every piece. Splashes of color dance across the canvas, conveying emotion without definable shapes.
A charcoal study of an old woman’s hands radiates character and strength, the lines and shadows so lifelike I feel I could reach out and touch them. Another piece depicts the Chicago skyline in bold geometric patterns, the city’s energy and vibrancy captured in a few deft strokes.
I stand there, transfixed, my eyes roaming over the artwork. It’s a glimpse into Lily’s soul, a window into the depths of her creativity and imagination. And suddenly, I understand why she fought so hard to hold onto her dreams, why she couldn’t let them go. This is who she is, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone, even Derek, take that away from her.
I’m no art expert, but even I can see the passion and skill behind these works. My fingers trace the brushstrokes, feeling the texture of the paint beneath my fingertips. I can’t understand why her boyfriend tried to keep her from doing what she loves. She’s so talented, her art a reflection of her vibrant soul. But this talented woman left me at her place without a word, and the unease in my gut grows.
I begin to look for my car keys, patting my pockets and scanning the room. But I can’t find them. Frustration builds inside me, my jaw clenching as I try to remember where I last had them. When I step into the small kitchen, my eyes searching for any sign of the keys, I see a note stuck to the fridge.
Eth,
I hate to leave you, but I had to go and check on my family. They’re freaking out about the wedding—long story. It seems like your mom is a handful though. There’s some food in the fridge. I should be back before dinner, I hope you’re awake by then.
Lily ??
I grunt, a mix of relief and annoyance washing over me. I know my mother must be wanting to change every little detail about the wedding because everything that’s not done the way she likes it is just plain wrong. They’ll be lucky if she doesn’t want to change the bride too. Worry gnaws at me when I realize she’s going to be meeting Lily, my stomach twisting into knots.
Pulling out my phone, I fire off a text right away, my fingers flying over the screen. Morning, is everything okay?
Her reply comes back immediately, the buzz of my phone startling me. More like evening, sir, but yeah I’m fine. Did you just wake up?
I can practically hear the teasing lilt in her voice, and a small smile tugs at my lips.
I look at the time, and it’s almost seven o’clock. My eyes widen in surprise, and I check outside the window, realizing that the sun is actually beginning to set. Okay, so the windows face west, interesting. I must’ve been really out of it if I didn’t realize that when I arrived, my mind too focused on Lily to notice anything else.
A few moments later, my phone rings, and I smile when I see Lily’s name on the screen. I answer quickly, my heart leaping in my chest.“Hey, are you okay?”
“Peachy. Is your mother always like . . . this?” she whispers quietly, and before I can answer, she continues. “I get why you decided to run away with me. This woman. She’s . . . not happy with anything.”
I sigh, feeling the tension in my shoulders. “She’s a handful, but why are you there?” I dare to ask. “You should run away too.”
“Mom thinks I can take her,” she laughs, the sound warming my heart.
“And why is that?”
“I’m not good at following rules, and I’m great at challenging authoritative figures, like teachers, parents, and now your mother,” she says, a hint of pride in her voice.
I grimace. “Deep down, she’s a good person,” I poorly defend my mom.
“I’ve no doubt, but also, she’s used to getting everything she wants, yes?”
“That’s her,” I agree. “So, when are you coming home?”
“Not sure if I want to go back to my place,” she says, her voice hesitant. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love to cuddle next to you at night, but you in my bed . . . not the most comfortable thing in the world. We need a bigger mattress.”
I laugh. “Why don’t I pack you a bag and we go to my place? I have a bigger bed—and a lot of surfaces we can try out and experiment on.” My voice drops, taking on a suggestive edge.
She chuckles, a low, enticing sound that has me anticipating her return. “I like how you think, Montgomery. Let me finish with your mother, and I’ll be there soon.”
“Finish what with her?”
“Cake tasting—she didn’t like what my sister approved, so now we’re in a duel to see who has the last word in what we’re doing for the cake.” Frustration is evident in her tone, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes.
“Who is winning?”
“Me. The baker is a friend of mine and we’re actually making a few changes that will upset my sister, your mother, and yet keep everyone happy.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “That doesn’t make sense, Lily.”
“I never said it would make sense, only that the wedding will be a somehow joyful event.”
Though I don’t want to see my mother this soon, the desire to be with Lily overpowers my reluctance. “You want me to pick you up?”
“Nope, actually, I have your car, but I should be done in thirty minutes,” she responds, a hint of mischief in her tone.
“You drove my car?” I ask, confusion and disbelief washing over me. I never let anyone drive my car.
“Yeah, I told you about my mom’s call, and half asleep, you said, ‘Take my car, Lily,’” she explains.
“I don’t believe you,” I say playfully, a smile tugging at my lips despite my best efforts to feign indignation.
“No worries, I recorded it in case you were too asleep to remember it.”
I scoff, shaking my head in admiration. Leave it to Lily to figure out a way to handle things without getting in trouble. “So you’ll pick me up?”
“Yep. I’ll text you when I’m on my way,” she promises, and I find myself counting down the minutes until her arrival.
Once we hang up, I call Max.
“Sleeping beauty is awake,” he answers amused. “I heard the mission was a success.”
“You know it was. We spoke about it during my flight to Boston,” I remind him, rolling my eyes at his teasing tone.
“Oh, I was talking about the road trip—you and lil’ Harper are hooking up, huh? I’d like to say I didn’t see it coming, but I’m impressed that you lasted an entire trip with her. So . . . how are you two going to handle things so it’s not awkward?” Max’s question doesn’t settle well, and I feel a twist of unease in my gut.
“It’s not like that,” I respond, pulling out a sandwich from the fridge and the plate of fruit that has my name on it. I try to keep my voice casual, but the thought of Lily and our relationship being reduced to a simple hookup leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Oh, but it is. You’re going to see her during every family event—unless you figure out a way to avoid her for . . . Well, I don’t know how long Dom will be married to Cleo. They’re not exactly a match made in heaven.” Max chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. “Actually, I’m trying to figure out how to keep her . . .” my voice trails though, uncertain on what to tell him.
“What?” There’s noise around him, followed by a muttered curse. “Asshole, you just made me spill my drink. What do you mean you want to keep her? You don’t do relationships, not even a weekend hookup. Are you okay?” His voice is laced with concern and disbelief.
I run a hand through my hair, a smile tugging at my lips despite the anxiety churning in my gut. “I’m perfectly fine,” I admit, my voice growing softer as I picture Lily’s face. “During the trip I just . . . Listen, it’s complicated and yet easy and something I don’t want to discuss with you since I haven’t talked to her about it just yet.” The words tumble out in a rush, my heart racing as I confess my feelings to my best friend.
“That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I’ll be here for anything,” he promises, his tone a mix of concern, happiness, and support.
I chuckle, relief washing over me at his words. “Okay, I’ll let you know when I need a best man. Stay on standby,” I say, only half-joking as I end the call.
Leaning back against the counter, I close my eyes, my mind drifting to Lily. It’s not like I’m marrying her tomorrow, but I plan on making this more than just a road-trip fling. I want forever with her, and the thought both terrifies and exhilarates me.
The question is, will she want to be with me?