Page 7 of Lily, Unwritten

“Zack, I have two children, I don’t get to run around nice cocktail bars on Friday nights. Luckily, I prefer hanging out here with your lovely girlfriend, so off you go.”

They always teased each other, all five of the siblings, but it was with love. They all had the same gorgeous dark hair and eyes, despite their differing heights and builds. Hannah and Zack were closest in age with only twelve months between them, and they were so similar - the shape of their noses, the way they held their heads when they spoke. It was something I’d never experienced as an only child, and it only enforced the thought that I wanted more than one child when the time came.

A car pulled up outside as Zack’s phone beeped with the Uber notification. He turned and kissed me, his lips soft and slow against my own. “I love you.”

“Love you too, stay safe.” I smiled as our fingers trailed away from each other, and watched Zack climb into the waiting car. I closed the front door as they drove away, still warmed from the kiss.

I turned around to find Hannah with two large glasses of wine in her hands. “How do you two always look devastated to be apart?” she asked. “I’ve been counting down the days to get out of the house and away from Andy.”

“Things are just…” I paused; I couldn’t conjure up a word for how happy we made each other. I still managed to keep my thoughts of Luke locked away for the majority of the time. “Blissful. I know it sounds sickening but I can’t think of a better word. Absolutely crazy about your brother, sorry!”

She smiled. “I was worried a few weeks back, he seemed out of sorts, anxious. He wouldn’t open up about it.”

“Nothing to worry about, just a blip,” I said as I underplayed the situation. “I baked your favourite brownies.”

“Amazing,” she grabbed one from the coffee table. “I’m glad things are OK, I’m not having anyone else as my sister-in-law!”

“Oh, I don’t think we’re quite at that point.” I insisted.

“He’s never ever been like this about anyone. I wouldn’t be so sure,” she said as she took a gulp of wine. “About his birthday. The only boy of the family turning thirty has to be celebrated. I might be biting off more than I can chew, but I thought we could book a huge villa in Spain or France. By the time we split it between all of us, it wouldn’t cost much.”

I totted up the numbers in my head. “That would be, what, fourteen of us?”

“Yeah, I think so. Wait until you see some of these places; they have pools and steam rooms and even little play areas for the kids. It would be incredible.”

“Zack would adore it,” I agreed. “He loves to have family around him. Could I invite Cassie too?”

“Definitely! The more the better! Do you think you could tell Zack it’s just the two of you, though? Then when everyone else arrives it’d be a massive surprise?” she asked, as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Yes, that’d be amazing. If Cassie’s up for it, that will make eighteen.”

Hannah squealed and hugged me, before showing me the amazing places that she’d already been researching. “I thought if we started to plan now, it gives us loads of time before next year.”

“It’s a brilliant idea, Hannah, I’m excited already.”

Later in the evening, I waved goodnight as she climbed into a taxi, remembering not to put the chain on as I had done in the past and left Zack unable to get in.

I slid between the soft sheets of our bed, a corny smile on my lips as I thought of Zack; it still left me stunned at times how I felt about him. As much as I adored him, though, it was nice to get into an empty bed for once. Warm and fuzzy from the wine, I curled up with a book I’d wanted to finish for ages.

Maybe Luke had done the right thing… The stabbing pain shot through my stomach in a flash. I tried to set my mind to something else. My brain focused on the complexities of getting eighteen people on one holiday as I fell asleep, ignoring the ache in my heart, the missing piece of me.

Hot breath rolled over my face, it smelled like whiskey and orange peel. I opened one eye and became aware of Zack’s face close up against mine, a wide, tipsy grin on it.

“Are you awake?” he asked. The mattress bounced as he moved.

“I am now.” I stretched and yawned; I knew he’d wake me up. I pretended to be annoyed every time, but I loved it to be honest, he was lovely all drunk and cuddly.

“I missed you.” He kissed me and I sucked on his bottom lip, enjoying the tang of whiskey sours. I was getting involved in the moment when he pulled away, utterly frustrating me. “I want to talk to you.”

“Can’t you talk after?” I was awake and frisky now, I tried to pull him back.

“You know I was with the guys from Astfangin tonight, yeah?”

I nodded as I sat up and began to unfasten his shirt buttons. I flicked my hair behind me and tried to get his attention back. “I don’t know how you say that drunk, never mind sober. I’ve not been able to say it since they started working with us.”

“They offered me a job,” he said, unable to hide the pride in his voice.

“In Iceland?” I spluttered. My fingers stopped on his bottom button.

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