A soft gasp escapes her lips, which she licks as she visibly tries to compose herself. “Is there anything else I can help with?”
I don a heated stare and make my voice gruff. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll let you know.”
A deep blush blooms up from her neck and covers her cheeks. Something flashes in her eyes. Something edgy and challenging. Something I recognize…
And I nearly gasp myself with the realization.
She’s playing a game with me.
I don’t know what undoes me more. That she’s trying to unravel me at every turn, or the bigger question ofwhyis she purposely driving me wild?
When she excuses herself to use the loo, I grab my phone to text Del.
Payton: Lily’s acting a bit off. Did something happen today?
Three dots appear and go away several times. I’m about to toss my phone into the skillet when her reply finallycomes through.
Del: She’d have my head if she finds out I told you.
Payton: Just spill the beans, woman!
Del: Don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Payton: Stop faffing about.
Del: She knows everything.
Payton: Everything?
Del: EVERYTHING
I smack my phone down.
Lily knows everything?
Head swimming, I lean on my hands against the counter as I make sense of the situation. This means she knows how I feel about her, knows about my silly antics to woo her heart, likely knows I used the word ‘woo’ if Del showed her my signs, and she knows my cousin was rescued and crisis averted.
To say I was relieved when Del told me he was alive and well, or soon would be after his recovery, was an utter relief. That and knowing my sister could resume her practice lifted the guilty weight I’d carried ever since returning from England.
I did think at one point that I’d have to persuade her I needed my bodyguard a little longer, but Del took care of that brilliantly. Splendid woman, that. Someone needs to give her a medal. Or knighthood, if I could convince the Queen. Or better yet, Lily and I could name our firstborn after her as a way of saying thank you, providing I can convince Lily to give me a chance.
I grab my phone again.
Payton: Under no circumstances are you to tell her I know. Got it?
Del: You’re asking me to keep something from my partner.
Payton: Might I remind you that you agreed to help me in the first place, and therefore, you’re complicit already?
Del: Honestly, the things one does for love.
Payton: Cheers.
Del: Go on then, hotshot.
The moment I hear the loo door, I grab the spoon and crack on with cooking. “Dinner won’t be long.”
She saunters toward me, wearing a white sundress I’ve never seen her in before. “Now, will you tell me what you’re making?”
