Page 80 of Wolf's Providence

Eamon’s eyes were brimming with amusement as he watched my fiercely protective best friend lay down the gauntlet. “No more accidents, got it.”

Reaching out, I tugged at Lily’s coat sleeve. “Hey, come with me.” Turning to Eamon, I gave him my bestbehavelook and pulled Lily to my room. “I’ll be two minutes,” I told him.

“Day’s wasting,” he muttered, scooping my bag off the floor. “I’ll be in the Jeep.”

With the door closed behind her, Lily turned to me with her hands on her hips. “You’re really leaving withhim?”

“Caleb got a lead on the guys who broke in, he went after them, and I don’t want him to be alone.” All of this was true, so it felt better than being evasive.

“Why didn’t he tell the police?” Lily snapped in frustration. “It’s why they’re here, to protect us!”

“He’s taken it personally,” I murmured.

“Men! Idiots.” She glared at the door. “This is so unlike you,” she grumbled. “It scares me that you won’t tell me.”

I shook my head slowly. “It’s not for me to tell, Lil.”

The look I received was warranted. Lily thought it over and then rolled her eyes. “You couldn’t tell me that the hunk of the season was standing behind me?”

“You think he’s a hunk?”

Lily looked at me as if I were insane. “I know you’re all caught up in Caleb, but you’re not blind! The guy is ripped.”

“He’s wearing like three layers of clothing!” I protested, desperately grabbing onto the olive branch she was offering me. “How can you even know?”

“Girl!” Lily rolled her eyes again. One day, they’d roll right out of her head. “You need to imagine taking the clothesoff.”

I burst out laughing. “And you had the cheek to ask me ifhewas insane…”

We shared a look and a smile before she sobered. “You told me you’d tell me if it got dangerous…and I know, I know what you said before, but…” Lily took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to say next. “You were in a bad car accident. Where was Caleb then? Nowhere, that’s where. Are yousureyou want to run after him?” she asked me, doubt heavy in her voice.

“He would do it for me, and yes, even if he wouldn’t.” Which I knew he would, but I didn’t have time to convert Lily to his cheer squad. “He needs me, Lily. Trust me. Please.”

She stared at me, searching for something in my face before nodding. “Fine,” she muttered. “Just…text me when you get there?” She saw my frown. “Fine! Text me when you can?”

“Promise.” I looked around my room, feeling the tears threaten. “Hey, um…will you water my plants?”

“Ugh, do you even need to ask?”

A sharp rap of knuckles against the door made both of us jump. “Harper, let’s move.”

With another eye roll, Lily opened the door, leading the way back into the main living room. My keys were already in the door, waiting to lock up. On my front step, I hugged Lily. I knew she’d be worried until she heard from me, and I knew she hated letting me go.

“Stay safe,” she instructed.

“Always.” I hugged her again. “I love you.”

She pulled me in tight. “I love your crazy ass too.” Standing back, she looked me up and down. “He better be worth this,” she muttered.

“He is.”

Once in the Jeep, I rolled the window down so I could speak to her as Eamon got ready to drive. “Love you, thanks for coming to talk.”

“Voicemail,” she muttered. “It’s so two-thousands.”

Eamon huffed out a laugh, and I caught Lily checking him out again. He noticed and didn’t seem to mind. With the Jeep in drive, I waved as he pulled away.

Once we were a safe distance from the house, I glanced at him. “Thanks for helping with that. She can be protective.”

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