Page 49 of The Ex-cavenger Hunt

I grunt, a mix of relief and annoyance washing over me. I know my mother must be wanting to change every little detail about the wedding because everything that’s not done the way she likes it is just plain wrong. They’ll be lucky if she doesn’t want to change the bride too. Worry gnaws at me when I realize she’s going to be meeting Lily, my stomach twisting into knots.

Pulling out my phone, I fire off a text right away, my fingers flying over the screen. Morning, is everything okay?

Her reply comes back immediately, the buzz of my phone startling me. More like evening, sir, but yeah I’m fine. Did you just wake up?

I can practically hear the teasing lilt in her voice, and a small smile tugs at my lips.

I look at the time, and it’s almost seven o’clock. My eyes widen in surprise, and I check outside the window, realizing that the sun is actually beginning to set. Okay, so the windows face west, interesting. I must’ve been really out of it if I didn’t realize that when I arrived, my mind too focused on Lily to notice anything else.

A few moments later, my phone rings, and I smile when I see Lily’s name on the screen. I answer quickly, my heart leaping in my chest.“Hey, are you okay?”

“Peachy. Is your mother always like . . . this?” she whispers quietly, and before I can answer, she continues. “I get why you decided to run away with me. This woman. She’s . . . not happy with anything.”

I sigh, feeling the tension in my shoulders. “She’s a handful, but why are you there?” I dare to ask. “You should run away too.”

“Mom thinks I can take her,” she laughs, the sound warming my heart.

“And why is that?”

“I’m not good at following rules, and I’m great at challenging authoritative figures, like teachers, parents, and now your mother,” she says, a hint of pride in her voice.

I grimace. “Deep down, she’s a good person,” I poorly defend my mom.

“I’ve no doubt, but also, she’s used to getting everything she wants, yes?”

“That’s her,” I agree. “So, when are you coming home?”

“Not sure if I want to go back to my place,” she says, her voice hesitant. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love to cuddle next to you at night, but you in my bed . . . not the most comfortable thing in the world. We need a bigger mattress.”

I laugh. “Why don’t I pack you a bag and we go to my place? I have a bigger bed—and a lot of surfaces we can try out and experiment on.” My voice drops, taking on a suggestive edge.

She chuckles, a low, enticing sound that has me anticipating her return. “I like how you think, Montgomery. Let me finish with your mother, and I’ll be there soon.”

“Finish what with her?”

“Cake tasting—she didn’t like what my sister approved, so now we’re in a duel to see who has the last word in what we’re doing for the cake.” Frustration is evident in her tone, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes.

“Who is winning?”

“Me. The baker is a friend of mine and we’re actually making a few changes that will upset my sister, your mother, and yet keep everyone happy.”

I shake my head, chuckling. “That doesn’t make sense, Lily.”

“I never said it would make sense, only that the wedding will be a somehow joyful event.”

Though I don’t want to see my mother this soon, the desire to be with Lily overpowers my reluctance. “You want me to pick you up?”

“Nope, actually, I have your car, but I should be done in thirty minutes,” she responds, a hint of mischief in her tone.

“You drove my car?” I ask, confusion and disbelief washing over me. I never let anyone drive my car.

“Yeah, I told you about my mom’s call, and half asleep, you said, ‘Take my car, Lily,’” she explains.

“I don’t believe you,” I say playfully, a smile tugging at my lips despite my best efforts to feign indignation.

“No worries, I recorded it in case you were too asleep to remember it.”

I scoff, shaking my head in admiration. Leave it to Lily to figure out a way to handle things without getting in trouble. “So you’ll pick me up?”

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