Page 82 of The Marriage Deal
That male protectiveness I didn’t know I had surges inside me again. Yes, I could absolutely be dangerous in the right scenario. I could be dangerous for her.
“Keep looking. I want names.”
“Like I said, there’s more.”
“I’m free for lunch tomorrow.” I don’t want to meet Carson anywhere Lilah might catch wind. “I’ll make a drive into Kelowna.”
We agree on a place to meet, and I disconnect the call as Lilah steps into the makeshift office. The darkness in Nash’s expression vanishes fluidly from his face as he shoots her his winning grin. “Hey beautiful girl.”
Lilah rolls her eyes his way, correcting, “Woman, Nash. I am a woman.”
Nash shrugs and continues grinning, like she hasn’tcorrected him multiple times already. She has. It’s why he keeps calling her a girl. The guy is relentless.
Lilah turns her eyes on me as the bag she carries over her shoulder slides down her arm. She dips a hand inside to pull out a container. The glass is fogged with condensation, but she says, “You never got any apple crisp last night. I thought you might like some now.” She wets her lips nervously, smiling sweetly. “I warmed it up before I left.”
I move to take the container. “Thank you.”
“Where’s mine?” Nash pouts. “I like apple cobbler.”
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not marrying you.” Lilah shrugs helplessly, if a little cheekily. “So, I can’t promise I’ll always think to bring any for you.” She snaps her fingers as she gives him a smarty-pants squint. Her hand dives back into the bag. “Today, however, is your lucky day.”
Nash groans as another container makes an appearance. “You’re the best soon-to-be-wife a guy’s best friend can have.”
Lilah laughs. “You have Shana to thank. She thought of you.”
I don’t know why, but I’m a little relieved it was my mom who thought of Nash, and not my soon-to-be-wife. Fake wife.Ahh, fuck.
“Tell her I love her.” Nash cracks the lid and makes an obnoxious noise.
Lilah’s lips curl before she turns her eyes on me.She can’t possibly know how it feels. The things her gaze does to me. She asks, “How’s work?”
“It’s coming along.”
She nods, peeking at Nash who is entirely focused on gobbling down his crisp. She looks back to me, but says softer, “You left really early this morning.”
“No earlier than normal.”
She pulls her lip between her teeth, nodding softly. “Oh.” She releases her lip and those warm eyes fringed in long, dark lashes slam into mine. “You usually come back for coffee.”
She’s right. I do always return for coffee and breakfast with her. Today, I couldn’t bring myself to. If I had, I’d have lifted her over my shoulder and walked her straight back to my bed.
I clear my throat as I shove the image from my mind. “Did you miss me?”
I mean the words as a tease. It’s unusual for me, and I note the surprise in the upward flick of Nash’s gaze. She brings out the unusual in me.
Lilah doesn’t notice Nash’s surprise. She nods slowly. “I did.”
I don’t expect her answer. I don’t expect those two simple words or the slight hurt in her eyes to carve me raw.
All teasing vanishes from me as I step forward. I vow, “I won’t miss breakfast again.” She drops her chin to try and hide her eyes. I slide my finger under herchin, guiding her gaze to me. I repeat, “I won’t miss breakfast again, Lilah.”
“Okay.”
My voice softer, I tell her, “Thank you for the crisp.”
She nods, and I release her chin stepping back to give us both space. I don’t miss the way she shudders with a small shiver. If Nash wasn’t here, I think I’d pull her to me. “I should get back to your mom. We’re going to run into Sunrise Blooms for some more flowers.”
I feel my brows hike high on my face. “More?”
