Page 11 of Lilly
“But you’re my boss. You sack everyone who so much as sneezes at the wrong time, yet here I am. I don’tunderstand.”
I can’t help but laugh at her assessment. “I only sack people who can’t do their job properly, Lilly. You do your job perfectly well, and I’m intrigued byyou.”
“Was that acompliment?”
“No, just a fact. A compliment would be me telling you your hair looks so good I want to run my fingers through it. Or that you smell divine. Or that you look incredible in that dress and I can’t help but imagine what you look like without it.” I watch as a flush of red spreads from her cheeks and down herneck.
“Okay, that’senough.”
“It’s all true, Lilly,” Istate.
I come to a stop next to the passenger side of my car and open the door for her. When I stand back up, she’s running her eyes over it before moving to me and running them up my body. “Like what yousee?”
“This is crazy, Lucas. I’m your cleaner, and you’re…” She doesn’t explain, just gestures towards mycar.
“Just getin.”
As I walk around to the driver’s side, I can’t help being unsure of whether I’m pleased or not that people fall for this act. But then, I guess I’ve played the part for so long now it’s almost normal. The suits, the money, the flashy cars. Lilly might have the impression I’m something impressive, but under all this, I’m far from the person she thinks I am. I know she’s thinking that she’s not good enough for all this, but if she only knew the truth: that she is the one that is way too good forme.
She’s silent as we drive further into town towards the restaurant I booked earlier. I wish I knew what was going on inside herhead.
“Where are we going?” she asks when I bring the car to astop.
“A restaurant just downhere.”
Lilly stares at me for a beat before letting out a breath and allowing me to help her out of mycar.
“Reservation for two underDalton.”
“Sir, Madam, if you would like to follow me to yourtable.”
I glance back at Lilly as we follow the hostess. Her eyebrows are drawn together as she looks around at the lavish decoration. I can only presume this isn’t her normal nightout.
I don’t get to check she’s okay until we are introduced to our waiter, have our drinks order taken and have been talked through the specials. I make the decision for her and order the nine-course taster menu and a bottle of wine. Lilly looks so overwhelmed that I just go ahead. I’d never say it to her, but she needs a little meat on her bones, so the nine courses should help towards that. Don’t get me wrong, she has a stunning figure, but she is a little toothin.
“Are you okay?” I ask once we’re alone. I reach my hand across the table to hers, but the second I touch her, she pulls her hand away as if I burnedher.
“I’m just not used to this,” shereplies.
We get interrupted again when the wine is delivered. I shoo the waiter away before he gets the chance to pour it for us. I have no desire to have him hovering around our table. I’ve already seen the look he’s given Lilly; the farther away he is thebetter.
“I wanted to spoil you for thenight.”
“Thank you, butwhy?”
“Because you deserve it.” I don’t get to say anymore, which is probably a good thing, because her phonerings.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, clearly embarrassed by the noise blaring from her handbag. She rummages around, then pulls it out and looks at the screen. She looks torn as she tries to decide what todo.
“Go ahead,” I prompt, and after a couple more seconds she answers it and puts it to herear.
I hear a male voice as soon we the call connects on the other end, and I can’t deny that it puts me on edge. I don’t want her talking to another guy while she’s out with me. Fuck it, I don’t want her talking to another guy fullstop.
“Stop, listen,” she says, trying to get a word in edgeways with whoever it is on the other end. “I’m on a…date?” she whispers, sounding unsure of what to call this, as she turns away from me slightly. I hear his muffled voice before she states, “Well, I didn’t know he was a psycho until he turned into one.” There’s some more talking on the other end before she tells him it’s fine and that she’ll call himtomorrow.
I watch as she slowly puts the phone away before turning back tome.
“I’m—”
