Page 3 of Fall

The last two weeks have been so hard to stay strong to get here. The last week has been a nightmare of finding my way here and making sure I couldn’t be followed. My family must have been so worried when they saw the note I left them. I will call them soon, when I can tell them.

Izzy pulls me into her arms and says, “I don’t care why you’re here, but when you’re ready, we will talk because I'm worried. I love you, Tilly, you’re my sister, even if we're not related."

I nod, wiping my eyes as I pull away.

"I will, I promise." It's not like I can’t tell her, as in a few months, she will guess. Izzy’s phone rings, and she gets it out of her jean pocket.

“Luke, Tilly is here!” she says when she answers. “You remember Tilly? The girl I grew up with, the one who went to France?” She pauses to listen, then continues. “That’s brilliant, and okay, tell him congrats. Yeah, that’s great.” There’s another small pause before she responds again. “Okay, see you soon and I will, bye,” she says, putting the phone down.

“Luke says hi.” She beams at me. "Look, you met Elliot, right? Well, he just got news that he can open his new club this Saturday. Do you want to go? It will be great, and maybe you might meet someone," Izzy says with a wink.

But the thought of finding anyone at the moment only has the adverse effect of reminding me of my ex. “Sounds good,” I say.

“Let’s go and make sure Blake hasn’t burnt the kitchen down.” She laughs, holding a hand out for me.

Chapter Two

Tilly

When we walk into the kitchen, I’m surprised by how modern it is with its light-wood cabinets and a massive, kitchen island with stools dotted around it. The appliances all look expensive, too, but my attention is drawn to Harley, who is sitting on one of the stools. I watch as he loosens his tie a little and shifts in his seat, almost like he knows I’m looking at him. He is concentrating on his paperwork so he doesn't notice us come in. I sit on a stool opposite him, and Izzy goes to help Blake cook.

Harley slowly looks up, and my attention fixates on his dazzling, green eyes. There isn't a touch of any other colour in them, just a pure-light green, and it's fascinating. I always thought Izzy’s eyes were a pretty colour. Apparently, she got that from her father’s side.

"I took your bag up to your room," he tells me after an awkward silence.

"Thanks. I'm still paying rent," I tell him firmly.

"No, you’re not," he replies smoothly, almost like he expected me to say that as he puts his paperwork into his briefcase on the table.

"I am," I mutter louder, and he gives me an amused look. "You can try, and I will just send it back to you." He smirks, leaning back in his chair. Even when he’s clearly challenging me, he is so damn attractive.

Someone clears their throat behind me, and I turn to see Blake handing me a plate. I accept it and see Izzy with a small smile on her face as she brings some sauces over to us.

"Why don't you offer her that part-time reception job? That way you both win," Blake offers as he walks to his own seat and holds a chair out for Izzy. That’s sweet.

"Thanks, Blake, but I can still pay rent," I say, thinking about it. It’s going to be bad enough being around Harley all the time, and I’m likely going to do something stupid like try to kiss him. Or even worse, blurt out how hot he is.

"That could work. I own a local gym and, two days a week, I need a receptionist to help out. I would drive you there until you sort a car out,” Harley says.

"All right. That could work around my other job," I say before thinking about it at all. It was like a natural reflex to say yes to him. I mentally sigh and take a bite of the scrambled eggs on toast. Damn, Blake can cook; lucky Izzy.

"What do you do?" Harley asks, standing up and putting his briefcase on one of the counters by the door.

I can’t take my eyes off him, and I know I need to. Being attracted to my best friend’s brother isn’t a good idea at the moment. Plus, if my ex follows me here, I need to leave.

"I'm a book editor, it's a work at home job most of the time. I have a few clients I'm working with currently," I tell him as he gets a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Impressive, for someone your age," he comments, seeming more interested in looking at me now.

"It's impressive to own a successful business at your age," I compliment him back, because it is. He can’t be much older than I am, and he owns his own business as well as looking after his brothers and sister, from what Izzy has told me.

"I have to get to the office. I hope you settle in well," he says before walking past me. I swear I feel his fingers lightly touching my back as he passes me, but I could be imagining things. Or hoping.

"I’ll be back tonight, Iz. Are you staying over?" Harley asks from the doorway.

"No, I can't because I have class in the morning and I can't miss it. I’ll be back tomorrow after class for a few days," she says, turning slightly to wink at me.

"All right, Luke and I can keep your guest busy tonight." Harley sighs, sounding like he would rather be doing anything else.

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