Page 69 of Silver Linings
“Did last night not teach you anything about what can happen in twelve feet? Sloane can come over here and hang out when she’s done seeing clients.”
“They took that guy into custody,” Lily said as she scooped two eggs onto a plate for him. She wasn’t about to mention that she had to go to Sloane’s office to see if she would be a good fit for the receptionist job Sloane had mentioned. She didn’t exactly want Gunner to know that part yet, though. “I’m sure that the sheriff’s office would have called you or someone else on the team if they’d released him. And I’m assuming he’s the only one around right now trying to get me, seeing as how he’s done it twice. Unless you know something more? Am I in danger? Is Sage?”
“Danger is everywhere, Lily, and I don’t want you or Sage getting hurt. Or worse.”
“Listen, I understand. But I’m not willing to put my life on hold just because one creep took a shine to me. I just need some normalcy.”
“Fine. But I want you to text me when you leave and when you are with Sloane. And when you get back. Maybe you should just come down to the office before you come back to the apartment.”
“I’ll see how Sage does being out and about. If she’s not ready for a nap, we’ll stop in. But if she’s cranky, I’m bringing her home and I’ll let you know we got back safe.”
“Fine.”
“It’s going to be okay. I promise. Try to have a good day at work and I’ll let you know how we fare out in the dangerous and wild Silver Springs.” Lily laughed when she saw the corner of Gunner’s mouth pull up in a smile.
“Hey stranger!” Gia’s voice on the other end of the phone had her throat constricting with emotion. “How’s life in Texas treating you?”
“Hey, G.” Shit. The sound of her best friend’s voice had her getting choked up already.
“Oh no. Why do you sound like you’re going to cry?”
“I just miss you.”
“My brother is treating you right, isn’t he?”
Lily looked up and down the street. There were a few people milling about, but no one was close by. “Of course he is. As well as any fake husband would treat their fake wife. Maybe even better.”
“So have you two…” her voice dropped down to a whisper, “consummated the marriage?”
“Gia, no,” Lily laughed at the outrageous thought. “Your brother doesn’t see me that way. Trust me when I say things are better like this.”
“You deserve so much more than a platonic relationship with that potato.”
“Be nice! That’s your brother you’re talking about, and my husband.”
“Hmm, so you feel the need to defend him. Interesting.”
“Of course I do. Just because we aren’t…you know, sleeping together doesn’t mean I don’t care about him.”
Sage fussed in her stroller, and Lily stopped to adjust her sunshade.
“But you have needs, Lil. And eww, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but so does he. God, I need to wash my brain out now.”
“It’s been a long time since I had any of those needs tended to. I just don’t care about it right now. Sage basically takes up all my brain space. And besides, the last time anyone tried to take care of those needs, they failed miserably, and I ended up pregnant with Sage. I don’t need that right now.”
Her best friend laughed on the other end of the line. “Okay, but maybe I want another niece or a nephew. I’m never going to get one if you don’t start working your feminine wiles on Gunner. There’s something there, Lily. I saw it in the way he looked at you before you guys left for Texas. The way he fussed over you when you were sick and then home from the hospital.”
“He was just worried about me.”
“Exactly.”
“Exactly what?”
“That man does not worry about things or people he doesn’t care about. That’s not the way his mind works.”
“He was probably just worried about having to raise Sage by himself.”
“Lily…”