Ethan: Elias, where’d you go, man?
Mathéo: He’s probably getting cozy with his toilet again.
Luke: Way to bring the convo to an end, Barbie-man. Literally…
Wade: And now we’re talking potty. Get it? Not party, but potty…
Luke: Seriously, Cowboy, what’s with the dad jokes?
Payton: Right, you lot. I’m off. Thanks again for having my back.
Elias: Ugh. Being sick sucks. What did I miss?
Ethan: Read the texts, man! Anytime, Payton.
Luke: Always here for you, bro.
Mathéo: Got that right.
Elias: Can somebody bring me some chicken soup?
I chuckle and pocket my phone again. The other blokes can handle that one.
The parking spots in front of my apartment are full, so Lily parks on the opposite side. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and the wind seems to pick up, blowing the palms back and forth beyond what a gentle breeze would do.
And Lily isn’t moving. She’s just staring outthe windscreen.
I turn in my seat. “What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours, luv?”
She sends a weak smile my way, but tears sit in her eyes. “Your world.”
“What about it?”
“It’s…so beautiful.”
“That’s because you’re in it.” Cheeky, I know, but true. I want her to understand that my life will be forever incomplete without her in it.
She shakes her head. “No. It’s because of you, Payton. You’ve built this wonderful life with people you love. And they care about you. So much. Seeing that tonight was amazing.”
The way she pauses sends a sick feeling into my gut. There’s a giant ‘but’ about to follow, and I’m dreading it. “What are you trying to say?”
“I know everything, Payton.” She stares at me as if she’s expecting some kind of retaliation. “Del told me about what you did with the signs and all the rest. I’ve known since the day you and I kissed.”
“I know.”
Her lips part with her surprise, which tempts me to crush her against me and kiss away her worries, her fears…and her doubts.
“What do you mean, you know?”
I chuckle softly. “You were acting off while we were making dinner, so I texted Del to ask what was going on. She fessed up that she told you everything.”
“And you didn’t say anything?!”
“I didn’t want to ruin your little game of seduction.” I give her a cheeky grin.
Shaking her head, she holds her hand up. “I wasn’t trying to seduce you.”
I bug my eyes out at her. “You changed into that sexy white dress.”
