Page 128 of Damaged Mogul
“I understand your half-brothers would resent your arrival,” I say. “Eight years later, you’re all adults. It’s surely time to bury the hatchet.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not holding my breath.”
Which begs the question, why are you trying so hard?
“Did your mom also pass away from an illness?” Lily says, changing the subject.
I rub the back of my neck.
I knew the question was coming. It’s a natural progression. It still doesn’t prevent the familiar pang of guilt that hits me whenever I think of Mom.
“No, she didn’t.” I keep my answer brief.
Lily’s expression suggests she’s waiting for me to elaborate.
The topic of my mom’s death isoff the table.
She shifts on the blanket.
Her cheeks are flushed. No doubt she’s embarrassed by my stoic reaction.
“I’m sure your mom is looking down at you from Heaven and she’s proud of the man you’ve become.”
“Right back at you,” I say. “I’m sure your mom is beaming with pride at the woman you’ve become.”
She moves her eyes to a spot over my shoulder. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I’m not bullshitting you.” I take hold of her chin, forcing her attention to me. “You’re an incredible woman. Don’t let the way Fisher and your half-brothers treat you dictate your self-worth. Don’t give them that kind of power.”
She shrugs. “It’s hard to do.”
“The more you do it, the easier it will become.”
I lean forward and drop a soft kiss on her lips.
The gesture surprises me. I don’t date anymore, so I’m never in a position to demonstrate PDA. Even when I dated, that was never my MO.
“You, mister, are a real Jekyll and Hyde,” Lily says.
I humor her. “In what sense?”
“One minute, you’re demanding as fuck. The next, you’re so tender.”
“Keeping you on your toes.” I wink.
She shakes her head. “Tell me about StreamTunes? I could do a search, but it’s more fun hearing it from the mastermind.”
“Those who can’t sing or play instruments, DJ. I took it one step further by launching a successful streaming service. The end.”
Lily laughs.
Her lightheartedness is contagious.
“Talk about giving someone the Cliffs notes to your life story,” she says, still laughing. “It took me forever to give yousnippets of my life, and you summarized your existence in three clipped sentences. Sheesh. Way to go to make me feel like I suffer from verbal diarrhea.”
“Is that your way of saying you want more?”
“I do.”
