Page 46 of Can't Be Love

“Look at that, I didn’t even have to get you drunk to hear those words this time,” she replied.

I snorted.

Thomas

Chapter 18

The night out had been a little uncomfortable, but not terrible. I had wanted to introduce Lily around, but we stayed close to my sisters and friends. More attention was drawn our way when Sydney arrived, but she and Lily made a quick show of unity and the mood lightened when no fireworks went off between the two of them.

I liked having my mate by my side. I liked that we were not hiding it from others. Overall, it had been a good ending to an amazing day. Even better was coming home and having her curled up in my arms as she slept. I had lain awake just watching her for hours, taking in all that had happened between us.

Morning came much too quickly. I woke up wanting Lily so badly it was uncomfortable, but a quick glance at the clock on my nightstand told me we didn’t have time. Sighing, I got up and headed for the shower.

When I was done, Lily still wasn’t awake.

“Lily, we have to go,” I told her, giving her a shake.

She grumbled and rolled over, pulling the covers up over her head. I dressed, continuing to talk to her, but she didn’t budge.

“Lily,” I said louder, shaking her harder.

There was a knock at the door and I gave up my efforts so I could answer it.

Opening the front door, I saw Maddie, Liam, and the kids.

“You ready?” Liam asked. “Your dad got tied up and asked if we could pick you up and drop you at the airstrip.”

“I’m about ready, but . . .”

Before I could finish, Maddie and Liam both started laughing.

“Let me guess. You can’t get my sister up?”

I nodded. “I think she’s just really tired. We stayed out too late last night. I hope she’s not coming down with something.”

“She’s not,” Maddie assured me. “It just takes an act of God to get her moving. Once she’s up, she’s usually good, though. Oscar, go wake up Aunt Lily,” she told her son.

“Any means necessary?” he asked, looking a little too pleased by that thought.

“Extreme force if you must,” Liam told him, and they high fived before Oscar shot off down the hallway.

“Aunt Lily,” I heard him yelling.

“End of the hall,” I hollered after him.

I heard a screech from Lily and my entire body went into full panic mode. I growled and took off down the hall with Liam laughing behind me. When I entered the room, the tank top Lily was sleeping in was soaking wet, leaving little to the imagination. I quickly moved to cover her when the others walked in.

Oscar came from the bathroom with another cup full of water. “Out of bed or I’ll get ya again, Aunt Lily,” he said, giggling.

“You wouldn’t!” she dared.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?”

“Why didn’t you just wake me up?” she whined to me.

“What?” I said, exasperated. “I’ve been trying for half an hour or more. It was like you were dead to the world.”

She rolled her eyes and pulled the covers back, getting out of bed. “Well, I’m up now. How much time do I have?”

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