Page 41 of Lilly

"They're gonna have to if you're going to marry me someday."

He pulls me down on the bed with him. "It's not if but when." He kisses me. "When I marry you, in five years, or maybe three, then yeah, they need to learn to get along."

I smile. "I still haven't said yes."

He smiles back. "You will."

He's right. I definitely will. I love Reed and can't imagine being with anyone else. He's sweet and thoughtful and talented and makes me laugh. He's pretty much the perfect boyfriend, and I know someday he'll make a great husband. And a great father. He's really good with kids. Garret's kids love him.

We find ourselves kissing again, hands moving under clothes, just as someone knocks on my door.

"Lilly?"

"It's my dad!" I whisper.

"Lilly, I just wanted to—" He stops and I turn back and see him standing at the door.

Reed and I scramble to get up.

"What do you need?" I ask, adjusting my shirt back in place.

My dad crosses his arms over his chest. "What have you two been up to?"

"Talking. Listening to music." I rush the words out, sounding out of breath.

"I see." He gives the death stare to Reed. "Perhaps next time you could talk and listen to music in the living room."

Is he serious? I'm in college. I've been dating Reed for almost a year. And I'm not allowed to make out with him in my room? This is so stupid. I wish the summer was over so I could go back to school and do what I want to do.

"Dad, if I want to be in my—"

"Sorry, Mr. Kensington," Reed says, his eyes moving around, avoiding my dad's death stare. "So did you get everything for the party?"

"Yes," he says. "And then Rachel and I stopped at the shooting range for our weekly target practice." He has a sports coat on and lifts one side of it, revealing the gun on his belt.

I can actually hear Reed gulp, then he coughs a few times. "And how did it go?"

My dad smiles. "Very well. Hit the bullseye every time."

I roll my eyes. "Dad."

Rachel appears beside him. "Pearce, could you put the extra chairs on the patio? I want to get everything out tonight instead of waiting until the morning."

"Certainly, sweetheart. And if you need help in the kitchen, I'm sure Lilly and Reed would be happy to offer some assistance."

"Sure," Reed blurts out. "We can help."

She smiles. "Great! Just come out when you're ready."

My dad opens my door all the way, then follows Rachel back down the hall.

"Holy shit," Reed says when they're gone. He's breathing hard, like he'd been holding his breath that whole time and is finally getting air. "I seriously think your dad's gonna kill me. Was he like this with your other boyfriends?"

"I didn't really have other boyfriends. Before you, the longest I'd ever dated anyone was a month."

"Meaning you have no idea if he'll kill me. It's entirely possible it could happen."

I laugh. "Reed, for the last time, my dad is not going to hurt you. He's just messing with you."

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