Page 78 of All the Beautiful Things
Nothing I could do to stop it, even if I realized I wasn’t doing exactly what Brandon told me not to.
I was building walls. Creating space.
Putting distance between Lilly and me preparing myself to lose her.
The only way you’ll lose her is if you keep being a dick.
Damn it. My subconscious was right.
I punched the elevator button and blew out a breath. When it opened, Stephanie stepped on with me. “You really like her.”
“I love her,” I stated, unequivocally. Without hesitation.
Stephanie’s brows rose. “You do?”
“What’s not to love?”
The doors opened at the lobby and she walked out, giving me another unapologetic glance.
“I really am sorry, if this causes any problems.”
“It’s all right, Stephanie. Go home. Forget about it.”
I hadn’t lied.
But that total honesty we agreed to weeks ago? I hadn’t exactly given her that either.
I’d take care of it. As soon as dinner was done, because I sure as hell didn’t have time now to get into the intricacies of my former relationship with Nina. Forged from parents who’d been friends.
Which was the whole damn reason why her dad was being a dick about signing off on this project with the city and Nina stopped by earlier.
Gerald was still pissed I hurt his daughter.
Nina didn’t seem to be in any hurry to tell him she was over it.
Dinner was going to be hell.
And the conversation I had to have after wasn’t going to be any easier.
All of it a mess of my own damn making.
Happy fucking Friday to me.
* * *
I stood outside the steakhouse,phone to my ear and paced the sidewalk. I debated whether or not to call. Or wait.
But I knew Lilly. She could throw up walls faster than a construction crew.
Her phone beeped, and my teeth clamped together. “This is Lilly. Leave a message and I’ll call you back.”
It beeped, the shrill sound driving me crazy. “Lilly. It’s Hudson. Call me back. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Nina is nothing. An old friend, an ex… it’s a long story but not a complicated one. Just… give me the minute to explain.” I turned to pace another lap and almost ran right into Nina. Something that looked like pain slashed across her features before she smiled at me.
“Hey there handsome,” Nina’s voice was ice picks to my brain.Handsome?What fucking game was she playing?
Shit. Could this day get worse?
“I’ll talk to you later, Lilly.” I let my words flow like a promise, or a threat, however she wanted to take it. We’d been through too much for some stupid, minor miscommunication to shake us. I pocketed my phone in my coat and nodded at Nina.
