Chapter 85
HE’S A RED FLAG… BUT A HOT RED FLAG
brIAR
I'm sitting on the couch, catching up on missed texts and e-mails on my phone Koen gave back to me, while Remi watches cartoons at my feet, when the elevator door dings, and shouts immediately grab my attention.
“Stop. Squirming!” someone shouts.
“I’m not squirming; you’re manhandling!” a furious but familiar voice shouts back.
Koen appears from down the hall at the sound of the commotion, but his relaxed stance is reassuring.
The elevator doors are fully open now, and I blink rapidly, not sure if what I’m seeing is real life.
“Put me down, you oversized tree!” the girl yells, kicking her legs wildly from where Mac has her tucked under his arm, carrying her into the loft like she’s a rolled-up carpet.
“No,” he says flatly, looking to Koen, who’s watching the exchange with amusement on his face.
“Lily???” I shout in disbelief, rising off the couch. “Oh my god—is that you?”
Lily stops struggling in Mac’s arms long enough to lift her head.
“B?”
Lily resumes her struggling. “PUT ME DOWN, YOU CANCEROUS OAF! THAT’S MY BEST FRIEND!”
“Stop wiggling, or I’m going to drop you!”
“That’s the whole point!” Lily huffs, attempting to kick him but failing miserably.
Mac releases a long-suffering sigh and, after Koen gives the okay, he lowers her to the ground while doing his best to avoid her fists.
Lily hits the ground and seconds later, I’m wrapped in a soul-crushing hug. “Oh my god, I thought you were dead!”
“I’m so glad you’re safe!” I squeeze her tighter.
“Auntie Lily!” Remi squeals, running over and tackling Lily out of my arms.
“Remicoaster!!!” Lily picks Remi up, spinning her around before settling her on her hip and booping her nose. Remi laughs.
“I think I need a tetanus shot...” Mac mutters, looking over his hand.
“Cry me a river, you wanna-be-action-figure,” Lily shoots back at him.
“You bit me!” Mac growls.
“Because you grabbed me!” Lily snaps.
“You were running!”
“I was just trying to go home!”
“Your apartment isn’t safe.”
“You’re telling me! I got kidnapped the second I walked into it!” Lily turns her attention back to me, shifting Remi higher on her hip before she drops her voice to a whisper. “Okay, what’s the plan? Who are we fighting? I’d say I’ll take the big man, but he’s way faster than he looks...”
The expression on her face is dead serious, and I can’t catch my breath. It’s not funny, but I can’t stop laughing, and trying to stop it from coming out is just making it worse.
While I struggle, Lily gives me a quick once-over, and Remi too, noting the cartoons on the television. “Are you okay? You look okay…” Her eyes narrow, darting around at the luxurious loft around us.
“Yes, we’re fine, look, it’s a long story but—”
Koen steps closer, and I watch as Lily sizes him up.
“Hey, you! Yeah, you!” she says when he raises his brows at her, stealing a glance at me. “Are you the one in charge around here?”
“Jesus Christ...” I mutter under my breath.
“Don’t start that again,” Mac mutters from behind us, looking like he’s lived a thousand lives since I’ve seen him last.
I grab Lily’s arm, hoping to call off my attack dog. “Lily—Lily, that’s Koen.”
Lily’s head turns slowly in my direction. Koen??? she mouths, and I nod slowly, my eyes flashing with hidden meaning. She drops her voice, talking into my ear while keeping her eyes on Koen ahead of her. “Oh my god, he’s hot. I hate that he’s hot. Do we still hate him?”
But Mac’s still close enough to hear her. “You think everyone’s hot.”
“Not you,” she snips back, giving me an irritated look.
“Sorry, I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot,” Koen says, giving me an amused look as he steps forward to offer Lily his hand. “I’m Koen.”
“Careful, Rí, this one bites,” Mac warns, watching Lily carefully.
Lily sighs audibly and tosses her hair before taking Koen’s hand. “Lily, a pleasure,” she says haughtily, glaring at Mac before giving Koen a smile. “So you’re the one who kidnapped my bestie.” She shifts Remi on her hip. “And my mini-bestie.”
“Ahh—” Koen’s dark eyes dart between Lily and me, not quite sure how to respond. “Kidnapped is a strong word…”
“Is it?” My attention narrows on Koen, remembering everything he put me through.
Don’t start, he says with his eyes, and I keep my mouth shut. For now.
“You. Took. My. Best. Friend.” Lily’s hazel eyes flash, and I’m suddenly nervous she might hand Remi off to me so she can go fight my boyfriend.
“Yeah, but—”
“You chased me through half the state of Massachusetts!” Lily continues, cutting him off.
“Okay, that wasn’t technically me...” Koen’s eyes flicker to Mac.
“Your goon manhandled me!”
“Don’t make me regret saving you.” Mac pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes.
“Saving me? You kidnapped me!” Lily argues.
“Yeah, those two words are synonymous in this world, apparently…” I mutter, and Koen’s eyes sparkle.
“Okay, listen here, Captain Kidnap.” Lily straightens, lifting her chin and glowering at Koen.
“Yeah, I’m talking to you.” She nods when Koen arches a brow.
Mac coughs a laugh at our back. “A repeat offender, it would seem...” She sniffs, and I have to hold a palm over my mouth, tears of laughter tearing at the corners of my eyes.
“If you ever so much as think about scaring Briar like that again, I will beat you to death with your own skull!”
“I don’t think that’s…”
I cut Mac off with a little hiss and a shake of my head.
“You’re right, Lily,” Koen says, his voice deadly serious, and we all freeze.
“Briar didn’t deserve what I put her through.
I fucked up, but I’m ready to spend the rest of my life making up for it.
I wasn’t there for her when she needed me, but I’m here now for whatever she needs, and Remi, for as long as they’ll have me.
” His eyes connect with mine, and I feel myself melt.
Lily blinks, surprise catching her tongue. “Well, great. Fantastic growth arc. You’re temporarily forgiven.” Lily sniffs. “On probation.”
“Is the probation term negotiable?” Koen asks.
“No.”