Chapter 62
Chapter Sixty-Two
Lily
“Lily?” Stasia whispers as she cautiously nudges the bedroom door open. It was pitch black before the small crack from opening the door shoots a narrow beam of light into the room. I squint at the sudden brightness.
“Go away,” I reply, my voice flat and lifeless.
She peeks in a few times a day, drops food at the door, and despite her efforts, I always send her away.
But this time she doesn’t listen. I hear the rustle of her jeans brushing against the fabric of the bed as she settles down at the edge.
“You can’t stay like this forever,” Stasia says with concern.
“If you would just let me be with him, I’d be fine,” I reply with bitterness.
“Serafina is asking about you,” she says, completely ignoring what I just said.
“Oh, so now you’re using her to guilt-trip me? Real clutch, Stas.” My usual sassiness slips out.
She lets out a long sigh. “You can’t blame us, Lily. You can’t make someone want you.”
I know she’s right. I can acknowledge the truth, but hearing it only feels like she’s digging deeper into my wounded heart.
Instead of launching into a lecture, she lies down behind me, wrapping her arms around me, pulling me close and kissing the side of my head just like she used to when I was a kid after scraping my knee or crying over a broken toy.
Back then, she’d plant gentle kisses on my forehead until the world felt safe again.
But I’m no longer a little child, and I feel silly behaving this way.
Since Dad passed away, Stasia and I drifted apart, and it hasn’t been the same since.
“Once Mom is back from her trip, I’ll be out your way,” I say.
“You can stay as long as you want, Lily. It’s fine by me.” Stasia’s voice is steady and reassuring.
“Not sure Darius will approve.” His name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Fuck that guy,” I scoff, and the laughter that bubbles out of me is unexpected.
Everyone knows Stasia and Darius wouldn’t just kill for one another.
They’d give up their own lives to keep the other safe.
I look down at her ring finger. Although she has a massive ring, she prefers showcasing what’s under it, her husband’s name tattooed around it.
Darius has hers tattooed onto his. I find myself tracing over it.
She starts brushing my hair with her fingers, a soothing rhythm that calms my racing mind. “Your person is out there, Lily. I promise.”
“What if Killian’s my person?”
“If he was, you wouldn’t be here right now.” Her voice remains gentle and soft.
I roll onto my side, turning to face her even though the darkness still hides our faces. “It doesn’t bother you that I want to be with him?”
“I mean, I’d rather you not be with someone who murdered their wife, but then again, I don’t have a leg to stand on. Darius is no saint.” She lets out a giggle.
“So, if he shows up at the door on his hands and knees for me, you wouldn’t turn him away?” I press.
“No,” she says firmly. “He’s the first guy to command you to do something, and you actually listen.” Stasia laughs. “That’s the kind of man you need. Not the kind that will let you boss him around.”
“That’s not why I like him,” I protest weakly.
“So why do you? I mean, he’s a lot older than you. I think he might be older than Darius,” she points out.
I am too embarrassed to admit the truth, so I blurt out, “He’s really good in bed.”
Stasia bursts into laughter, a genuine, carefree sound that I haven’t heard in a long time. Just then the door creaks open again, and Selene steps inside. She comes to Stasia’s every day to check up on me.
“Laughing is a good sign?” Selene asks, shutting the door behind her with a soft thud. “Darkness not so much.”
Selene joins us on the bed, scooting me over so she can lie on my other side. I used to love lying in between my older sisters when I was a kid. They were my idols, and I felt cool being able to hang out with them.
“What’s so funny?” Selene asks.
“Lily talking about getting a good dicking.”
Selene gasps before she starts to laugh. “I have to ask. What’s up with the leash?”
“He has particular kinks,” I reply.
“I’m surprised you’re into that,” Selene comments.
“Says little Miss Perfect,” Stasia replies, implying Selene has a few of her own.
Selene reaches over and hits Stasia with a pillow. “Never telling you anything again.”
Our laughs fill the room. Then the door opens again.
“What are you weirdos doing in the dark?” Serafina turns the light on, making us blind from the light.
“Get in here, lady,” Stasia says.
Despite Serafina rolling her eyes, she doesn’t hesitate to join. “Are you talking about boys or Mom?”
There’s a pause before I start to giggle. “Usually how it goes, right?”
Serafina hops onto the bed, lying across our legs. “Oh no, stop the fun. Baby sister is here,” she mocks us.
I understand where she is coming from. I’ve suffered the same from Stasia and Selene.
“I got dumped,” I say, trying to make it sound funny.
“What dirtbag did that?” Serafina replies, holding back excitement at being part of the conversation.
“Remember the guy you wouldn’t stop drooling over from Selene’s wedding?”
Her eyes widen. “The Irish guy.”
Stasia cut in, “Why were you checking out an older man?”
“Have you seen him? Maisie is into girls, and even she was turned on by him. But if he dumped you, Lily, then he’s brain dead.”
“Maisie is into girls?” Selene questions. “I wonder if Cameron knows.”
“Ew, why would she tell her older brother about that?” I question.
“Can we circle back to the older man part?” Stasia interjects.
“Don’t sweat it, Stasia. I still have my V card.”
“Well, I’d hope so!” Selene gasps.
“The app thing isn’t working?” I ask Serafina to shift gears.
“App thing?” Stasia cuts in. “Online dating is not safe.”
“Oh my god, you ancient dinosaur, times have changed. And no, the app is a total bust. I’m hoping college guys aren’t a total disappointment.”
“Lucky for you, you got three of us to ask for advice.” I smile.
“I’ll need to know when you hand the V card over.” Stasia forces a smile.
“Ew, why?” Serafina asks.
“You get the same presentation and slideshow about needing protection and STDs. Should you get pregnant, what your options are—”
“Okay, I’m over this conversation,” Serafina voices. “So you dump Alessio for the Irish hottie, who then dumps you, and what now? Alessio will take you back. He would lick dog shit off your shoe.”
My heart is fragile. “Well, Alessio and I weren’t really a thing.”
“Who believes that? Raise your hand,” Serafina says. When none of us look amused, she continues. “Ouch, tough crowd.” She sits up on the bed. “You’ll never believe what Maisie overheard.” She looks to Selene, forgetting that Maisie is Cameron’s little sister.
Selene raises her hand. “I swear on sisterhood I won’t say a word. Unless she’s in trouble.”
Serafina squints her eyes. “I’ll know if you tell Cameron.”
“Spill it, Serafina,” Stasia urges.