Page 24 of Ruin
Daniel
Good. You deserve to be spoiled. And Annika is great. Be prepared to have made a new best friend, because she won’t take no for an answer.
Lily
Ha. Yeah, she seems like a force of nature.
Daniel
And how are things with Sebastian?
Lily
Aside from when he forced me to go shopping and then forced me to eat lunch? We haven’t really talked much.
Daniel
Just remember, I’m always here, Lil. Message me anytime you need anything.
Lily
I will. And thank you. For everything.
Daniel
Anything for you.
10
SEBASTIAN DELUCA IS SPEECHLESS
SEBASTIAN
Lily has been herefor several weeks now, and I’ve slowly eased her into meeting everyone else. Annika has fully adopted her, and I’ve found my suite empty almost every evening while she spends time at the other end of the hall. When she’s not with Annika, and, increasingly, Imogen, she’s been exploring the communal areas of the mansion, more often than not ending up in the library across the hall from my office. Which is usually my own place to escape the chaos, other than my suite.
Because I haven’t known what to say to her, and have been avoiding being alone with her, I’ve now been spending far too much time in my office.
“How are things going up there?” Daniel asks one Friday morning when I call him to check in.
“Fine. Annika has taken Lily under her wing, just like you predicted.”
“Yeah, Lily mentioned she’s been spending time with her. And Imogen.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t realise you’d been in contact with her.”
“Of course I have. Especially because she also said she’s barely seen you.” I don’t miss the accusation in my brother’s tone.
“I’ve been busy,” I reply.
“No more than usual. Are you avoiding her?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes. “Of course not.”
He chuckles. “So, yes.”
I fight back a sigh. “How are things on your end?”
“Fine. No sign of our unwanted friend.”
