22. Lili
Lili
T he taste of Edward's lips still lingered on mine as we broke apart, the entire town of Cedar Creek watching us like we were the Friday night movie at the drive-in.
My heart was beating so fast I was pretty sure everyone could hear it over the fiddle music still playing from the rodeo speakers. The evening air was thick with the smell of cotton candy and dust, and somewhere in the distance, I could hear the low of cattle settling in for the night.
"Well, sugar," I whispered against his mouth, "I reckon you just put on a bigger show than the Fourth of July fireworks."
His gray eyes crinkled at the corners—genuine laughter that I hadn't seen in far too long. "I believe that was precisely the point, darling."
The folks were giving us some space but still stealing glances like they couldn't quite believe what they'd witnessed.
Edward Grosvenor, in his thousand-dollar suit and cowboy boots, standing in the middle of our little rodeo grounds declaring his love for me like some kind of fairy tale prince who'd wandered into the wrong story.
"Come on, honey," I said, tugging his hand before anyone else could corner us with questions or congratulations. "Let's get out of here before Mrs. Patterson decides she needs the full scoop for the church newsletter."
We practically ran to my rental car, Daphne close behind us with a grin so wide it could've lit up the whole county, Mama said she would come back with Mrs. Patterson. We piled in like teenagers escaping a party we weren't supposed to be at, and I couldn't stop laughing as I started the engine.
"That was..." Edward began, then shook his head. "I cannot quite believe I just did that. In front of half the county, no less."
"Believe it, honey." I reached over and squeezed his hand. "And for what it's worth, it was perfect. Even if you did look like you were about to faint when Bobby Ray handed you that microphone."
"I was terrified," he admitted. "But not of the crowd. I was terrified you'd tell me it was too late."
I pulled into Mama's driveway and killed the engine, turning to face him fully. "Edward Grosvenor, after everything we've been through, you really think I'd give up on us that easy?"
His answer was another kiss, softer this time but no less intense. When we finally came up for air, Daphne was making exaggerated gagging sounds from the backseat.
"Alright, you two," she said. "Save some of that for later. I need to talk to my friend here."
An hour later, after we'd talked ourselves hoarse and cried ourselves empty, Edward had disappeared with Mama into the kitchen—something about her wanting to "have a word" with him that made him look like he was facing a firing squad instead of a conversation with a woman who barely came up to his shoulder.
Daphne and I were sitting on the front porch swing, sweet tea sweating in our glasses and fireflies just starting to blink in the gathering dusk.
The ice in our glasses clinked softly as we rocked, and I could smell Mama's gardenias blooming along the porch rail, their sweetness mixing with the faint scent of Edward's cologne.
"I owe you an apology," Daphne said quietly, her usual bubbly energy subdued. "A big one."
I studied her profile in the golden light. "Daph—"
"No, let me say this." She turned to face me, tears already gathering in her eyes.
"I was so hurt when I found out about you and Edward.
Not just because you didn't tell me, but because I felt like.
.. like I'd been replaced. Edward's always been my person, you know?
The one who understood me, who protected me.
And then suddenly he had someone else who was more important. "
My chest tightened. "You could never be replaced, honey. What Edward and I have, it's different than what y'all have. You're his sister, his family. I'm just—"
"You're the woman he loves." Her voice cracked on the last words, and I could see her struggling not to completely break down.
This was Daphne at her most vulnerable—no social masks, no practiced charm, just raw honesty that made my own eyes sting. "The woman who makes him happy in a way I've never seen before. And instead of being thrilled about that, I was jealous and petty and... God, Lili, I said such awful things."
I reached over and took her hand. "We both said things we didn't mean.
I was scared and guilty and feeling like I didn't belong in y'all's world anyway.
But that doesn't excuse lying to you for weeks.
" The truth was, I still wasn't sure I belonged.
Three weeks in my hometown had reminded me who I was underneath all the fancy dresses and charity galas—just a small- town girl who sold garden tools on late-night TV.
But maybe that was enough. Maybe it had always been enough.
"You want to know something funny?" She laughed, but it was watery. "I kept pushing Edward to date, kept telling him he needed someone in his life. Then when he finally found that someone, I lost my bloody mind."
"To be fair, I don't think you expected that someone to be your best friend who had been supposed to be staying in the staff quarters."
"No," she agreed. "Definitely didn't see that plot twist coming."
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the porch swing creaking gently.
Finally, I couldn't hold back the question that had been eating at me.
"What about James?" I asked. "Are y'all okay? I know your Mama isn't exactly throwing him a welcome party."
Daphne's expression shifted, a mix of determination and worry crossing her features. "Mother is... well, she's Mother. She thinks James isn't suitable because he doesn't have a title or old family money. Never mind that he's brilliant and kind and makes me laugh until my sides hurt."
"Sounds familiar," I said dryly.
"Exactly." She turned to me with fierce eyes. "But you know what? I'm done hiding. Done letting Mother dictate who I can love. James and I, we're fighting for this. Together. And if she can't accept that, then she'll just have to learn to live with disappointment."
Pride swelled in my chest. This was the Daphne I'd fallen in love with in college—strong, determined, willing to fight for what mattered. "Good for you, sugar. What does James think about all this?"
"He's scared," she admitted. "Worried about what it might mean for his career, his friendship with Edward. But he's willing to take the risk. Says I'm worth it." Her smile was soft and genuine. "Rather like someone else I know, actually."
I felt my cheeks heat up. "Yeah, well, your brother can be pretty persuasive when he sets his mind to something."
"Speaking of which," Daphne said, "what happens now? Are you coming back to London with us?"
"We're going to try," I said. "Take it one day at a time, see if we can make this work in the real world instead of hiding in secret corners."
"And your job? The show?"
I grinned. "Funny thing about that. Turns out getting bought out by your Mother’s firm was actually the best thing that could've happened.
They've got distribution deals that'll put us in markets we never could've reached on our own.
Course, I negotiated myself a pretty sweet new contract once I stopped being terrified of the whole situation. "
"You always did land on your feet," Daphne said fondly.
"Usually," I agreed. "Though I'll admit, this whole situation tested that theory pretty thoroughly."
The front door opened, and Edward emerged looking slightly shell-shocked but relieved. Mama followed him out, wiping her hands on her apron with the satisfied look of a woman who'd just delivered some important truths.
"Well?" I called out. "Did she scare you off yet?"
"On the contrary," Edward said, settling down on the porch steps. "I believe I've just received the most thorough character assessment of my life, followed by conditional approval."
"Conditional?" Daphne asked.
Mama spoke up from the doorway. "I told him he's welcome in this family as long as he remembers that fancy titles and big houses don't mean a hill of beans if you're not treating my daughter right."
"And?" I prompted.
Edward's smile was soft and genuine. "And I assured her that I have no intention of ever forgetting that lesson."
The rest of the evening passed in a gentle haze of belonging.
We sat on the porch until the fireflies gave way to stars, sharing stories and laughter that felt like healing.
Daphne curled up between Edward and me on the old porch swing, her head on my shoulder while Edward's hand rested protectively on both of us. For the first time in months, we weren't walking on eggshells or hiding anything.
We were just us—messy and complicated and real, but together.
The moon had hidden behind the patchy cloud, casting a warm orange glow over the familiar streets of my hometown.
Now, as I waited for Edward to come in to my bedroom, my heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway made my pulse quicken. I took a deep breath, smoothing my hands over the silk camisole and matching shorts I’d chosen for the evening.
It was a simple outfit, but it made me feel beautiful, and tonight, I wanted to feel beautiful for him. The door clicked open, and there he was, standing in the doorway with that familiar intensity in his gaze.
“Lili,”he said, his deep voice rumbling through the room.
“Edward,”I replied, my voice softer than I’d intended. I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. For a moment, we just looked at each other, the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the air.
Then, he reached out, his fingers brushing my cheek, and all the tension melted away.
“You’re here,”he murmured, as if he still couldn’t quite believe it.