Page 48 of A Game Of Love

“Nonsense.” She waves him off. “If that was going to happen, she would have been gone long ago. But she’s always stuck around because deep down, she knew you two were meant to be.”

“Or maybe it’s because she was my best friend?” Bianca pips up. “Are we all forgetting that fact?”

“No, honey. We’re not,” Ari says, patting Bee’s hand before turning back to us. “I always knew you would marry her. So what's stopping you?”

“Fucking hell,” Bishop groans, leaning his head back.

“Watch your mouth, young man,” she scolds him.

“No ring yet.” I laugh out loud. “Maybe in a few years. Right now, we’re just enjoying life. We have lots of plans for the future.”

Bishop lowers his head, eyes finding mine. “We do?” he asks, and I don't miss the hopeful gleam in his tone.

I nod, butterflies taking over my stomach. “I told you, you're mine. I’m not going anywhere. I’m only turning twenty in the new year. It’s too soon to get married.” I laugh. “But someday.” After the words are out of my mouth, my eyes widen in horror.Shit, I must sound like a crazy person, right?Like he said, we’ve only been dating for a week. And here we’re talking about getting married? What is wrong with me?

But his eyes light up, and I swear to god, the smile that takes over his face has me over the damn moon.

“You two are so cute!” Izzy says.

With crimson cheeks, I bury my face into the crook of Bishop’s neck. His arms tighten around me, and I sigh contentedly, never wanting to leave his arms.

“Bishop,” his father starts to speak. “Where’s Toby? Thought he would be here with you. You two are glued at the hip.”

My stomach sinks. I don’t miss the way Bella perks up at Toby’s name.

“Yeah. I was sad to see he didn’t come. Where is he?”

“Home,” Bishop answers, not adding anything else.

“Okay. But why isn’t he here?” Bella presses.

“I didn't invite him?” Bishop says slowly, not sure why she’s asking. “Tonight was supposed to be a night I had Lilly over to tell Mom about our relationship. Dad coming home was a surprise.”

“You could have called him and invited him once you knew,” Bella presses.

“He wouldn’t have come anyway,” I speak, growing annoyed with her questions.

“Why not?” Her eyes flick over to mine.

“Because he’s most likely with his girlfriend.”

I see Bee looking at me with a raised brow out of the corner of my eye. She knows I’m full of shit. But what am I going to say? Can’t very well tell her to stop asking about my other boyfriend while I’m sitting on their son's lap, can I?

Bella’s face drops. “His girlfriend? Toby doesn’t do girlfriends,” she huffs.

And when the hell did this girl become a Toby expert?

“He does now,” I grind out.

“Lilly,” Bishop whispers in my ear. “Don’t let her get to you.”

So, he sees the way his cousin is when it comes to Toby? Good, at least it’s not just me overreacting or thinking too much into it.

“That's wonderful!” Ari steps in. “I’ve been so worried about that boy. He needs a good woman to love and care for him.”

Bella's frown deepens.

“He does. And I know she will,” I tell her with a smile.

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