Chapter 3
Mason
Earlier in the night
Walking down the dorm halls felt like a different life to Mason. It brought a strange sense of displacement he couldn't shake off. Even though he'd graduated only a year ago, it felt as if he had been gone for ages.
Life after graduation was nothing like he'd expected. Without classes and deadlines, he felt lost. And there was the pressure, too. His brothers had done so well, and he felt like he had to live up to their success.
With each step, he couldn't help but wonder: What was he going to do now? What did he really want to do?
Stopping at the end of the hallway, Mason took a deep breath. He raised his knuckles and tapped against Lily's door.
"Lil'?" He called. "Open up. It's me."
A few seconds passed with no answer. Mason raised his hand again and knocked.
"Lily?"
Suddenly, the door swung open and Mason came face to face with the most beautiful pairs of brown eyes he had ever seen.
"Can I help you?" The girl at the door asked.
As his gaze traveled over her features, he couldn't help but be struck by her beauty. Her dark hair was pulled into a messy bun, adding an air of casual elegance to her appearance. Her sharp features, set against the soft roundness of her face, stood out like a work of art. And the small creased fold between her brows only added to her allure, giving her an air of depth and mystery.
For a moment, Mason was completely entranced, his mind buzzing. It was as if time stood still, and all he could do was drink in the sight of her, utterly captivated by her beauty.
"This is room 17A, right?" Mason asked, his voice tinged with confusion, his attention momentarily diverted from Lily by the unexpected encounter.
The girl stepped back and pointed to the sign on the door.
"You're not Lily," Mason observed, his realization punctuated by a slow nod.
"Obviously," the girl replied dryly. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Lily," Mason cleared his throat, feeling slightly off balance.
The girl paused, her gaze lingering on Mason for a moment before recognition flickered across her features. The crease between her brows softened as she raised a brow. "Mason?"
The corner of Mason's mouth curved up, his surprise giving way to a playful grin. "Now, that's not very fair, doll. You know my name but I don't know yours."
"Lily said you were coming," the girl said, stepping back to allow Mason to enter the room. "I'm Wendy, Lily's roommate."
"Wendy," Mason repeated, the name rolling off his tongue. "Nice to meet you."
"Lily's not here," Wendy informed him, crossing her arms over her chest. The baggy shirt she wore slipped, catching in the curve of her cleavage. Mason tried to avert his gaze, but his eyes were inevitably drawn to the subtle curves accentuated by the fabric.
Mason struggled to maintain his composure, his manners warring with the involuntary pull of his attention. It was hard to focus on anything else when the words on Wendy's shirt seemed to dance enticingly before his eyes.
"She went to the library to study," Wendy replied flatly.
"Can I wait here for her?" Mason asked, hoping to prolong his time in Wendy's presence.
"Knock yourself out," Wendy motioned toward Lily's bed, her attention already drifting elsewhere.
"Thanks," Mason said with a smile as he made his way over to his sister's bed and plopped down. "You're a Dune fan?"
Wendy glanced over her shoulder at the poster Mason pointed at above her bed. "No."
"Oh..." confusion flickered across Mason's face. "Whose poster is that?"
"Mine," Wendy stated plainly, her disinterest palpable.
Mason's confusion deepened, but he refrained from pressing further. Instead, he sat in silence, pondering the oddity of hanging a seemingly random poster on one's wall, while Wendy retreated to her desk and resumed her studies.
"Are you a freshman?" Mason ventured after a moment, attempting to strike up a conversation.
"Sophomore," Wendy replied, her eyes focused on the book in her hands, her response devoid of any enthusiasm.
"How did you end up dorming with a freshman?" Mason wondered aloud.
"Administration error," Wendey muttered, highlighting her book and scribbling down notes.
Mason nodded slowly, falling back into silence. He looked around at his sisters decorations and then at Wendy's side of the room. Compared to Lily's framed photos of her family and her favorite snacks lying around, Wendy didn't have much other then the Dune poster to give anything away about herself. Mason let his eyes roam over her side of the room until he spotted the Lego Star Wars figure sitting by her bedside table. A smile pulled across his face as he stood up for a closer look.
"Wow," Mason mused. "That's pretty cool."
Wendy looked over her shoulder just as Mason reached out.
"Don't touch-" she jumped out of her seat but it was too late. Just as Mason picked up the Lego Millennium Falcon model, the broken piece that she had been working on trying to fix snapped off and fell to the ground. "That...."
"Shit."
Mason's eyes widened. He quickly dove down to pick up the fallen piece but in the process of doing do, the ship slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.
"Oh," Lily flinched as if the sound of the lego pieces shattering on the floor caused her physical pain.
"Fuck," Mason looked toward Wendy. "I am so sorry."
Wendy did not reply. She stared at the pieces of her ship on the floor with her mouth slightly wide open.
"I hope that wasn't some kind of limited edition set...." As Mason stood up slowly, holding the remaining pieces of the shattered ship, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach.
Wendy's eyes followed him, her expression tight with restrained frustration. "You mean this LEGO set that my grandfather and I built together before he passed away, and now it's the only thing I have of him? No, it wasn't a limited edition set..."
Mason stared in horror, his face flushed with embarrassment. He felt like he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.
"Fuck me," he muttered, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I am so sorry."
Ever so slowly, Wendy gathered herself, taking in a long, deep breath. She clasped her hands together before her, her jaw tight as she fought to keep her cool amidst the tumult of emotions raging inside her.
"Here's what we are going to do," she began, her tone firm but controlled. "You with me?"
Mason nodded, his heart sinking with each passing second.
"Okay, good. Now, set the legos down," Wendy instructed, her voice measured. "And step away from them. Do not step on any of the pieces or I swear to god I will lose my mind."
"Okay, okay," Mason responded quickly, his movements careful and deliberate as he obeyed Wendy's command. With extreme care, he slowly moved away from the wreckage he had caused, acutely aware of the weight of his mistake.
"Now," Wendy's eyes bore into him, her voice cutting through the tension. "Get out of my room."
"I'm so sor-" Mason began, but Wendy cut him off with a sharp gesture, opening the door wide.
"Save it," she said. "Out. Now."
With a heavy heart, Mason shuffled out of the room.
____________________
Theo
Theo drumed his fingers impatiently as he glared at Devon across the table. The seat between them was unoccupied, a reminder that the girl was late. Devon laughed nervously knowing his friend did not like to be kept waiting. He scratched his brow and read the text message on his phone.
"Amy said her friend is ten minutes away," he announced.
"She's forty minutes late," Theo reminded him. "And why doesn't Amy just give us her number?"
"Daphne doesn't like to give out her number," Devon said.
"You've met her before?"
"Only once," Devon said. "Gorgeous girl."
Theo looked away with little to no interest. He checked his watch yet again as his patience grew thin and the whole situation began to feel ridiculous.
"Let's give her ten minutes," Devon said. "If she's not here by then, we will leave."
"I'll give her five minutes," Theo said. "She already wasted too much of my time."
"I know. I'm sorry about this," Devon apologized. "I didn't think it would be like thi-"
As Devon spoke, his eyes fell on the beautiful girl entering the restaurant. Theo, seeing his friend's expression, looked over his shoulder curiously.
Daphne Dashwood entered the restaurant like a vision from a fairy tale. Her presence was ethereal, commanding attention effortlessly as she glided through the room with the grace of a princess. Every eye followed her, captivated by her beauty. She was a masterpiece. Her hazel eyes sparkled with warmth, drawing Theo in.
With each step, her curls danced around her, framing her angelic features with an air of playfulness. Her attire was nothing short of exquisite, accentuating her every curve with a subtle elegance. The gold jewelry adorning her only served to enhance her natural radiance, casting a mesmerizing glow upon her flawless complexion.
As she approached the table with a polite smile, Theo found himself unable to look away. The subtle fragrance that trailed behind her was like a gentle breeze.
"Theo Silvano?" Daphne inquired, her eyes moving from Devon to Theo.
Clearing his throat, Theo slowly rose from his seat, his eyes filling with slight irritation when he remembered Daphne making him wait for forty minutes.
"You're late," he said, extending his hand.
The corner of Daphne's mouth curved up ever so lightly. Her eyes ran over Theo's frame as she shook his hand and settled her eyes on his gaze.
"Good things come to those who wait," she said.
"But an early bird catches the worm," Theo countered, his tone sharp with underlying tension.
"I have no interest in catching worms, Mr. Silvano," Daphne smiled, her voice smooth but laced with a hint of challenge. "I have bigger fish in mind."
"Punctuality will come in handy then," Theo retorted, his gaze unwavering.
"So glad you have plenty for the both of us," Daphne replied, her smile widening slightly, a spark of amusement dancing in her eyes.
Theo felt a surge of annoyance at Daphne's casual response to his remark about her tardiness. Despite her charm, he couldn't shake off the frustration of waiting for so long. As they exchanged pleasantries, his demeanor remained guarded, his irritation evident in the subtle tension of his posture. Devon, sensing the tension at the table, cleared his throat and moved to stand beside Theo.
"Hi," he extended his hand. "Devon. We met once before."
"I don't recall," Daphne let go of Theo's hand and looked at the other man, her demeanor cool and composed. "But it's still good to see you."
"Please," Devon pulled the chair back. "Have a seat."
"Thank you," Daphne placed her purse on the back of her chair and took a seat, her movements graceful yet deliberate, hinting at an underlying confidence.
"So....What can I do for you, gentleman?" Daphne's inquiry was polite, but there was a subtle edge to her tone, a hint of curiosity tinged with intrigue.
"Theo?" Devon chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood.
Daphne turned her attention back to Theo, her gaze piercing, as if she were trying to decipher his intentions. "What can I do for you, Theo?"
"Just a few dates," Theo spoke, his voice businesslike.
"I can manage that," Daphne responded.
"Great," Theo picked up the file before him and held it out toward Daphne. "I will need you to sign this non-disclosure agreement first. Inside is also a contract detailing your role and your payments. If you have any questions, please feel free to call my lawyers. The number is inside."
Daphne listened patiently, her expression unreadable as she took in Theo's instructions. Her eyes never left his, holding his gaze with an intensity that seemed to convey a silent challenge.
"Any questions?" Theo asked, with a hint of anticipation, as if he were waiting for her next move.
"A few," Daphne answered, her voice calm but her eyes shimmering with defiance. "But it can wait."
Sitting forward, Daphne pulled her purse onto her lap and produced a folder of her own. She placed it on the table and slid it toward Theo, staking her claim in the negotiation.
"My terms and conditions," she said, her tone firm. "Read carefully, know my boundaries. If you have any questions, feel free to call. If you would like to make any changes, I am open to negotiation."
Theo did not respond. His usual confident demeanor faltered ever so slightly, his eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher Daphne.
There was something about her, something that stirred a mixture of emotions within him. She was undeniably beautiful, her outward appearance captivating in its elegance. But beneath the surface, there was a sharpness to her gaze.
As he studied her, Theo couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Daphne than met the eye. She was like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
In that moment, he realized that his encounter with Daphne Dashwood was far from ordinary. She was a puzzle waiting to be solved.
________________________
Mason
With a heavy bouquet of roses in hand, Mason let out an anxious sigh as he cleared his throat and knocked on Lily's door. The seconds felt like an eternity before the knob turned, and Wendy appeared in the doorway.
"Lily's not here," she muttered, already starting to close the door.
"No, wait!" Mason threw out his hand, stopping the door from slamming shut. He stepped closer, towering over Wendy. "I came to see you."
Wendy scowled, clearly unimpressed. "Why?"
"To apologize," Mason said, unable to tear his gaze away from her eyes. His heart raced as he watched Wendy pull her full bottom lip between her teeth, her brows furrowing deeper in a scowl.
"Here," Mason held out the three dozen red roses. "I am so sorry about the Lego-"
Wendy jumped back, covering her mouth with her elbow. Her shoulders hunched as she began to sneeze repeatedly.
"What's wrong?" Mason wondered, his concern evident as he watched Wendy's cheeks flush.
"Roses," Wendy managed to say between sneezes. "I'm......"
Mason couldn't quite catch her words as Wendy continued to sneeze, covering her nose with her shirt and shutting her eyes tightly.
"I'm allergic to flowers," she finally managed to get the words out.
"Oh!" Mason looked down at the roses, his heart sinking. "Shit."
"Can you please go?" Wendy coughed, her eyes puffy and glossy, her nose bright red from irritation.
Speechless, Mason stared at Wendy as she grabbed the door, desperation clear in her watery eyes.
"Please," Wendy pleaded, her voice hoarse.
"Yeah," Mason shook his head, feeling utterly foolish. He stepped back, unable to tear his gaze away from the girl as she closed the door in his face, leaving him alone.
_________________________
Theo
The weather in New York was unbearable in late September. The constant dreary rain hung over the city like a wet blanket. Theo watched the water droplets slide down the glass window of his apartment while the city lights twinkled behind the clouds. He popped the cork of the wine bottle and poured himself a drink before flipping open the file before him.
In the stillness of his empty apartment, Theo's eyes scanned the words on the documents. His brows knit together as he set his wine glass down and picked up the papers, his brows furrowing in concentration. Moving around the kitchen island, Theo made his way over to the living room and took a seat. He pulled out his phone and dialed his secretary.
"Good evening, Sir," Brad picked up on the second ring.
"Good evening," Theo replied. "How far are you on the Dashwood file?"
"Just about done," Brad answered. "I am sending it to you right now."
"Give me a quick rundown," Theo requested.
"Yes, of course," Brad cleared his voice. "Daphne Dashwood, twenty-two, female. Born in New York to Molly and Bill Dashwood. Molly is an office supervisor at a nonprofit and Bill is a retired police officer. Their daughter, Daphne, recently graduated from Brown University with a degree in finance. She worked at Goldmen Sachs for about a year and since then there has been no other record of her employment. She is active on social media and has done a few ad campaigns for jewelry brands."
"Anything else?" Theo asked, flipping to the next page of Daphne's contract.
"A few parking violations, her previous addresses and roommates," Brad read back. "That's about all. Was there anything in particular you wanted, sir?"
"No," Theo said. "Thank you, Brad."
"Of course," Brad said. "Was there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yes. Please call Ms. Dashwood and set up a meeting with her in my office tomorrow at ten."
"You have a meeting tomorrow at ten, sir."
"Trust me," Theo rolled his eyes. "She won't be there until eleven."
As Brad confirmed the appointment and wished Theo a good evening, Theo leaned back against the sofa and held the documents before him.
Finance degree from Brown, a job at Goldmen Sachs right out of college, Theo thought to himself. Why did she leave all that behind?
What's your play, Dashwood? Theo pondered as he picked up his pen to strike out the terms and conditions of Daphne's contract.
___________________________
Lily
Pine Valley Country Club was Lily's home away from home. She liked to spend her weekends curled up by their pool with her textbooks and assignments, enjoying their amenities while getting a headstart on her homework for the week. She enjoyed their serene atmosphere and their lunch menu. According to her, it was the best way to spend a Sunday.
"Thank you, Ms. Silvano," the woman at the front desk smiles as Lily placed a generous tip on the counter. "It was a pleasure having you with us today."
"Thank you, Paula," Lily waved. "See you next week."
The doorman gave Lily a polite nod as he opened the doors for her and signaled the vale to bring her car around.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, Ma'am?" The man asked.
"No, thank you, Joe," Lily shook her head.
Gathering her books in one hand and her purse in the other, Lily waited patiently for her car when suddenly a figure caught her eyes. She raised her sunglasses over her head and peered to make sure she had the right person.
"Alexa?"
The tall girl looked over her shoulder, her eyes taking a second to recognize Lily.
"Hey, girl," Alexa smiled.
"Hi, how are you?" Lily stepped forward.
"I'm good," Alexa shrugged.
"It's so good to see you," Lily smiled. "I wish I had known you come here sooner."
"Oh," Alexa snorted. "No. I don't come here often. I was just meeting someone for lunch."
"Oh, I see," Lily said. "How have you been? How's....your brother? Gabriel, right?"
"He's good," Alexa sighed, her eyes looking around the U-shaped driveway leading to the entrance of Pine Valley.
"Are you okay?" Lily asked, noticing the discomfort on Alexa's face.
"No, not really," Alexa laughed but with no humor. "I've been trying to get an Uber but they keep canceling on me."
"Yeah, it's a gated community," Lily frowned. "They don't let Ubers come up here."
"Great, how am I supposed to get home?" Alexa groaned, looking at her phone once more. "I can't call Gabriel. He will kill me."
Just then, the vale rounded the corner and arrived with Lily's car. He quickly stepped out and handed her the keys. Alexa's gaze flickered towards her.
"Are you headed back to campus?" She asked.
"Yes," Lily paused. "But I can give you a ride if you want."
"Would you?" Alexa asked with relief. "Oh my god, you would be saving my life."
"Yeah, of course," Lily nodded, feeling her own heart speed up knowing she was about to drive to Gabriel's house. "Hop in."
"Thank you, thank you," Alexa said with sincerity as she walked around to the passenger side and got into the car. "Pass me your phone. I'll put in my address and number."
"Here," Lily tossed her books in the back and grabbed her phone out of her purse.
"By the way, is this a brand-new car?" Alexa looked around at the interior.
"Um....yeah," Lily nodded, pulling on her seat belt. "My older brother, Theo, was not happy with the accident. He was worried about the sensors being damaged in the other car."
"I didn't hit you that hard," Alexa laughed.
"I thought I hit you?" Lily arched her brow.
Alexa laughed harder, "I guess we were both at fault. But, you're so lucky. I love your car."
"Thanks," Lily cleared her throat and shifted the car into drive. "How's your car? Was your brother able to repair it?"
"No," Alexa sighed, leaning back.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Lily frowned. "Did you get a replacement?"
"If I did, you wouldn't be driving me home right now," Alexa turned toward her with a small smile. "I got a big lecture from my mom and brother after the accident. So I decided to be responsible and use the money toward my tuition and textbooks."
"Smart," Lily said. "But how do you get around?"
"Gabriel," Alexa replied.
"I see," Lily said as her heart fluttered at the mention of his name.
"Thanks again for the ride, by the way," Alexa continued. "I was wondering when I would bump into you again on campus."
"Really?" Lily smiled. "That's funny because I see your brother all the time."
"Gabriel?" Alexa raised her brow. "I'm shocked. He's the king of missing classes."
Lily wanted to point out that he had not missed a single morning lecture since the start of the semester. But she did not want to give away that kind of information.
"I saw him in the library the other day too," she said instead.
"Shut up," Alexa said in disbelief. "Gabe? Are you sure?"
Lily nodded. There was no doubt in her mind that she had seen Gabriel Reyes at the library the other night.
"I'm surprised," Alexa said. "It's not like him to sit down and actually open a book to study."
"What do you mean?" Lily wondered.
"Gabriel's just good at school, you know. He doesn't even have to try" Alexa said. "He's the brain in the family and I'm the beauty."
"Must be nice," Lily said. "I've always been envious of people like that. Sometimes it feels like no matter how much I study, I always end up missing a question on the test."
"A question?" Alexa's eyes widened. "Singular? Jesus. There's no hope for the rest of us."
"No, it's not like that," Lily shook her head.
"Are your parents strict about school?"
"No," Lily said. "But my brother is. Theo was the valedictorian of his graduating class in college. He's very strict and disciplined about things like that."
"Sounds like Gabriel," Alexa remarked. "Oh, take a right up here and pull up to the shop."
"Right here?" Lily asked as Alexa pointed to the corner of the block.
"Yep," Alexa removed her seatbelt and grabbed her bag off the floor. "Thank you so much for the ride. I owe you."
"Yeah, don't worry about it," Lily smiled.
As Alexa opened the door, the rolling gates of the garage opened and Gabriel stepped out.
"Crap," Alexa muttered under her breath while Lily lost her breath.
Oh, sweet mother of God, Lily swallowed the lump in her throat, but it was no use. Her heart was already there. With a pounding that took over her whole body, she watched Gabriel step out into the sunlight and turn his attention to the car.
As he wiped his grease-stained hands on the towel he was holding, the lean muscles in his arms worked smoothly under his tan skin. The sleeveless shirt he wore did nothing to hide the veins on his toned forearms. Lily had to use all her strength to tear her eyes away from him and not squeal. She bit down on her bottom lip to keep any inappropriate sound from making its way out. But when Gabriel caught her gaze and stepped forward, Lily wanted to slide down in her seat and hide behind Alexa.
Oh, my God! Lily gripped the steering wheel and tried to swallow once more. Gabriel held her gaze like a hawk, looking incredibly handsome. His every move exuded a quiet confidence that made Lily's heart race even faster. His chiseled jawline, framed by a hint of stubble, added to his rugged appeal. His eyes, a deep shade of brown, seemed to hold a warmth that made her feel both nervous and exhilarated. She couldn't help but notice the way his hair, tousled from the day's work, fell effortlessly into place, making him look even more attractive. Lily's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and she knew that no matter how hard she tried, her breathing wasn't going to return to normal any time soon.
"Where were you?" Gabriel shifted his attention to his sister.
"Grabbing coffee with Lily," Alexa lied without any hesitation.
Gabriel's eyes shifted to the driver's seat once more.
"Hi...." Lily waved with a small smile. Hey would have sounded better, Lily scolded herself. Say something else. This is your chance. "How are is everything going?"
What?! Lily! What the fuck was that? Lily clamped her mouth shut and cleared her throat. I am never going to speak ever again.
"Since when are you two friends?" Gabriel asked, looking back at his sister.
"Since today," Alexa stepped out of the car. "We ran into each other at the mall."
"Oh, yeah?" Gabriel raised his brow. "So convenient. Especially today of all days."
"What's today?" Lily, why the fuck are you still talking?!
Gabriel looked back inside the car and chuckled.
"Lily," Alexa laughed nervously. "I told you already. It's my birthday."
"I know," Lily quickly fell into the lie. "I thought there was something else going on."
"No, just that," Alexa smiled before returning her attention to her brother. "Can you be any less annoying now? Get out of my way. I need to get inside."
As Alexa pushed the car door, Gabriel caught it and stepped aside to let her pass. His jaw worked as if he held himself back from saying something. The muscles in his temples twitch as he let out a sigh and began to close the door.
"Lily, you can park in the driveway," Alexa announced.
Lily looked up, "Oh...um..."
"Over there," Gabriel pointed toward the front of the house.
"Thanks," Lily gripped the steering wheel once more. She put the car in drive and slowly parked herself in the small driveway. Gabriel followed behind as Alexa stood by the front steps of the house with her arms folded over her chest.
"Come inside," she motioned for Lily to follow.
This is the greatest day in history! Lily sunk her teeth into her bottom lip to stop the giant grin from spreading on her face. Wendy's going to lose her mind! Oh my god, this is happening. It's happening.
Putting the car in park and turning off the engine, Lily unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her car door. She peered at Gabriel from inside before taking a step out and instantly falling face-first onto the concrete.
"Oh! My god!" Someone yelled.
What just happened? Lily wondered as half her body lay on the concrete and her legs remained inside the car, tangled in the seatbelt. This is not happening.
"Don't just stand there, Gabe!" The same voice once more. "Help her!"
Please just let me die, Lily thought. She turned, ignoring the pain in her ankle and knees, and began to sit up. She reached for the seatbelt wrapped around her leg just as Gabriel and a woman dressed in scrubs came forward to help.
"Ay dios mÃo," the woman said, helping Lily up. "Are you okay, hija?"
"Completely," Lily lied, trying to salvage the remains of her dignity. "That was so embarrass-"
As she put pressure on her leg to stand, her ankle made a sickening sound before she fell to the ground once more.
Just kill me now, Lily shut her eyes and prayed. Please god, I promise I'll pay attention at church if you just kill me now.
"Oh baby," the woman gently grabbed Lily's arm. "I don't think you should stand on that ankle anymore."
"Ma," Gabriel spoke up. "Stand back. I got her."
No! Lily wanted to wail like a baby. She let her hair fall around her shoulders as she covered her face with her hands and screamed internally. This is not happening.
Lily would have been content to lay on the side of the driveway like roadkill and rot in the sun. As far as she was concerned, her life was over. But when Gabriel draped her arm around his shoulder and scooped her up into his arms, Lily's body was electrocuted back to life.
Daring to open her eyes, Lily peeked at Gabriel as he lifted her up and carried her over to the house.
I'm touching him. He's touching me. He's carrying me. He smells so good. Oh my god! I can't breathe!
Lily curled her fingers around the straps of Gabriel's shirt and draped both of her arms around his neck. She couldn't look away from his face as he carried her effortlessly into the house and toward the living room. His skin was hot to the touch, smooth but hard. His arms were strong and sturdy, making Lily feel completely safe in them.
As Gabriel sat her down on the sofa, the silver chain around his neck swung forward and collided against Lily's forehead.
"My bad," Gabriel apologized as Lily looked up and their eyes met.
I don't mind, Lily wanted to say. I wouldn't mind if we were in this position on my bed either.
Lily's eyes widened as the sudden thought popped into her mind. Gabriel, seeing the way her eyes dialed and the blood pooled under her delicate skin, narrowed his eyes as if he could sense her thoughts.
"You didn't hear that, did you?" Lily whispered.
"Excuse me?" Gabriel asked.
"You come to my house for the first time and you break your ankle," Alexa rushed into the living room with a pack of frozen peas. She pushed Gabriel aside and grabbed a hand towel. "Move."
No, come back, Lily pouted as Gabriel stepped away, removing his arms from around her.
"Should we take her to the hospital? How bad is it?" Alexa tucked her hair back and placed the pack of peas on Lily's ankle. "Does that hurt?"
"It's not broken," the woman in the maroon scrub spoke up. "Give her some space."
Lily looked up as Gabriel and Alexa both leaned back, allowing her room to let her eyes bounce around the cozy living room.
"Let me see, cariño," the woman stepped forward. "I'm Alexa's mom, by the way. I'm a nurse."
"Lucky me," Lily tried to sit up. Seeing her struggle Alexa grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. "I'm Lily."
"Nice to meet you, Lily," the woman smiled. "I'm Carmen."
"I'm so sorry about all this," Lily shook her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"No, no," Carmen placed a cushion on her lap and moved Lily's ankle to get a better look. "It doesn't look too bad. Just a sprain. Let's keep the ice on it."
"I'll grab some painkillers," Alexa said, jumping up to her feet.
"Good idea," Carmen nodded as she carefully placed Lily's ankle back on the sofa. "I'm grilling some burgers for lunch. You like burgers, Lily?"
"I do," Lily said, tenderly touching her ankle. "But I should get going."
"How do you plan on driving?" Carmen chuckled. "Stay for lunch. Gabriel could drive you back."
Lily bit down on her bottom lip once more to keep herself from squealing. She wanted to grab the cushion off the sofa and hug it to her chest. Her cheeks were cherry red.
As Carmen made plans to keep Lily for lunch, Lily slowly looked up to where Gabriel stood by the door, hands in his pocket, shoulder leaned against the door, and his jaw clenched. His eyes swept over Lily before he turned without saying a word and walked out of the room.
Which Silvano is a bigger mess? LOL