Page 51 of Bossy Grump's Secret

“He doesn’t lock his doors?” Lily looks confused.

"He does. It's biometrically secured. He encoded my fingerprint to have me come in anytime he was not around. I'm surprised he didn't lock me out after our breakup. The hilarious part is that he had it built into his door after he forgot to lock it and found me inside. It was the first time I was here. That said, he got the security as a measure against me but later ended up allowing me access, defeating the lock's purpose. ”

"We can both agree that he made a terrible decision not to keep you locked out," Lily tells me as we enter the room. Her mouth hangs open, unable to shut off its own volition.

“Told you,” I hum smugly.

She keeps to one spot, just two or three steps in, completely unsure of where things should go. I find her astonishment satisfying. She probably realizes that I have been right the entire time.

“This is a haven, for sure,” she muses.

"You gonna come in?" I throw a look at her while already seated in his gaming chair. It's my favorite thing in his room. Soft, yet so edgy and springy.

…and I thought the perfect furniture never existed.

She takes my invitation as a pass and begins moving around the room. Her expression of surprise gets more profound. I think about going over to her and helping her close her mouth.

“These are Rolexes,” she huffs.

“Ugh, but they can be pretty cheap.” I make my voice animated to mimic her. “Even if they are…say one thousand a piece, which I doubt because they’re obviously not the same. There are seven of them there. That's at least seven grand on just watches. And you should check his wardrobe. I know little about men's clothing, but something about the presentation just screams that these things aren’t cheap.”

She listens and opens the wardrobe. Even I can’t get over the sight of the presentation of the fine apparel that lies within.

"This was a custom Louis Vuitton hoodie when they collaborated with Supreme,” Lily says while singling out the particular apparel from the glorious array. “It’s well over five thousand now.”

"You know, I'm just wondering how you know this…and how you keep track of all these expensive things," I say; she shrugs and smiles.

“You don’t? Everything above a thousand dollars catches my eye. Not that I really want them…just curious.”

I know Lily is obsessed with information, but sometimes, I forget just how far she will look into something. Especially things relating to sociology and psychology…an irony for someone who has trouble getting to know and effectively communicate smoothly with new people.

“By the way, now that I see it, it’s clear that your boyfriend is living above what he’s possibly being paid,” she starts.

Thank you!

“Still.” She raises her hand to still my victory. “That doesn’t account for the fact that he's a criminal or something. He probably has something he’s doing on the side.”

“Does Dylan look like his time allows him to even eat?” I ask a comment that plunges her into a thinking sphere that keeps her quiet…luckily.

“Dylan!” I squeal in surprise when he enters the room.

I am eternally grateful for my friend’s lightening fast reaction as she melts into the wardrobe and closes the door silently but as quickly as it takes Dylan to fully step into the room.

"What are you doing here?" he asks me, just like the first time he had caught me here, just that this time, his voice delivers the question with no aggression.

"I dunno," I shrug. "I just miss you. I was just about to turn on your PlayStation and wait for you here." I point to the sleek box sitting proudly atop his desk. I must get Lily out of there before Dylan notices her. “So, why are you here?” I ask innocently.

"Nothing much… just came to get something from…." He makes to open his wardrobe, but I realize the gravity of it.

“Dylan, wait!”

He stops just as he grabs the bars and turns to me. “What is it? Ava? You can play whatever game you want. I need to get back to work." He swings the wardrobe door open but keeps his gaze on me. Seeing Lily look as pale as the sheets inside of wardrobe is enough to send desperation flooding my brain.

“I miss you, Dylan.” I pour out even though it’s extremely difficult to say. “I miss us. I miss the times we shared…." I stand up and begin approaching him to make sure I'm better able to control his movements. I don't want him turning around suddenly. " I miss everything about you, Dylan. The way you touch me, the things you make me feel…."

I feel like burying myself under a sheet of mud. I wouldn’t feel this embarrassed if all this was a lie. He takes some steps to meet me, and our bodies collide. As much as I want to, I don't kiss him yet. I need to get Lily out first. I do not know how wild things could get. I give him a tight hug and let him run his hands over my body as I use my eyes to claw Lily out of the room with my head over his shoulder.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you." He grips my butt, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes in pleasure. Lily is still creeping out, thank God.

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