Page 81 of Lilly
“I’ll see you Thursday. Send me the postcode for Lucas’ house and I’ll pick you upthere.”
“Okay. Loveyou.”
“You too, bye.” His response makes me smile. It’s the only clue I get that he isn’t currently alone. Dec is more than happy to tell me he loves me behind closed doors; as soon as he has company though, he locks it down. It’s probably one of the reasons no woman has managed to get close to him. He’s like a concrete wall until you really get to knowhim.
I find Lucas in the kitchen once I’m off the phone, as I expected. What I don’t expect is to find him cooking. After his last failed attempt, I didn’t think he’d tryagain.
I stand in the doorway and look around at the cluttered counter tops and steamingsaucepans.
“Whathappened?”
“I know I made a mess,” he says, looking aroundhim.
“I didn’t mean the mess; I meant you’re cooking and nothing isburning.”
“I’m learning tocook.”
“You’re learning to cook?” I repeat, because I can’t quite believeit.
“Yes. I’m going to be a father soon, and I want to be able to help out.” His words make meswoon.
“Lucas,” I say softly as I walk over tohim.
“I just thought that you’re going to get so big you’re probably not going to be able to move, so someone needs to keep youfed!”
“And to think I thought it was sweet,” I say with a laugh as I playfully slap him on theshoulder.
I am pleasantly surprised by Lucas’ first attempt at spaghetti bolognese. I think he may have a talent he didn’t realise, and I’m more than happy for him to exploreit.
* * *
The week is almostover before I know it. I was worried that spending too much time with him would mean we’d fall back into our old routine. I really want to still be annoyed at him for leaving me, but he’s put so much effort into everything these last few days that I’m already starting to forget about it. I never thought it would happen so fast, but he’s showing me every chance he gets that this is what hewants.
I still refuse to sleep in his bed, though. I’m standing by my decision to keep things slow. He may have found his way back in to my heart, although I’m not sure he ever really left. But he’s going to have to wait a little until I let him have my body again. Although he isn’t pleased with my decision, he is respectingit.
At 6pm Thursday night. I’m sat in the kitchen with my bags packed, ready to head to Devon for a long weekend. I may have been there plenty of times before, but I’m so excited to go and chill out with Dec and have a walk on the beach. I also think it will do Lucas and I some good to have a few days apart again. Other than him going to the hotel, we’ve been in each other’s pockets since he rescued me on Fridaynight.
“Here’s some food to keep you going on the journey,” Lucas says, walking over to me with a bag in hishands.
“I thought you were making yourselfdinner?”
“I was, but I did this for you, too.” Lucas is really taking this cooking thing seriously. I loveit!
“Thank you. Oh, he’s here,” I say, as a black van with ‘Dec’s Surf’ in multicolour pulls into the driveway. “Are you ready to meet my brother?” It’s very rare that Lucas looks unsure of himself, but this is definitely one of those times. He knows how close Dec and I are, and he’s aware how important it is for them to get along. “You’ll be fine.” Dec was unsure about Lucas before, but since finding out he saved my life on Friday, he’s warmed to him alittle.
I swing the front door open and run as much as I can towards Dec as he steps out of hisvan.
“Oh my God, Lilly. Look at you,” he says with his eyes fixed on my belly. I ignore his comment and wrap my arms around his neck. I breathe in his scent and I suddenly feel calm. I hadn’t realised it, but I think Friday night may have been playing on my mind. Being with Dec releases it. I feel a little bad that Lucas wasn’t the one to do that for me, but the connection Dec and I have is irreplaceable. Lucas is going to need to accept that he’s a part ofme.
When I step back, I see Dec’s eyes lock onto something—or someone—behindme.
“Declan,” Lucas statesformally.
“It’s Dec. Nice to meet you at least,” Dec says, sticking his hand out for Lucas toshake.
“Youtoo.”
“Are you ready to get going,Lills?”
