Page 65 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

“I know, but it’s still a big deal.” She shakes her arm.

“How long are you staying?” Lily asks.

“Just a couple of days. Gage can’t handle it if I’m gone much longer than that. He claims his world starts to fall apart, and he’s lost without me.”

Lily grins. “Gage loves you. He should be lost without you.”

“I am kind of awesome like that.”

“Listen, I’d be lost without you too.”

Morgan looks at me, then back at Lily. “I don’t know. You look like you’re doing all right to me.”

Lily’s gaze finds mine, and the smile on her face grows. I can’t help but to return her smile as a wave of affection for her washes over me. She is doing all right. Much better than when she arrived, and I’d like to think I have a little bit to do with that. I know I’m better now than I was before she was here. Life feels fuller, more complete.

“Well, if you’re only here for a few days, then I know the perfect place for us . . . the beach,” she says, her eyes still on me. She knows I’m bending my rules for her, but she also respects them. For that, I fall a little bit more.

“Oh, the beach does sound nice,” Morgan says, breaking the moment between us. “I did bring a bathing suit.”

“Great. Then let’s get me packed.”

It doesn’t take long for Lily to pull her things together. I keep Morgan entertained, or I should say she entertains me as she gushes over all the details of my house, mainly the fish tank, but as they’re ready to leave and I walk them to the front door, Morgan glances between the two of us and excuses herself, leaving us in the foyer. The shared look between us grows heavy, and my heart suddenly aches at the thought of her leaving.

Taking a step toward her, I slide my hand to cup the back of her neck, while my fingers get a little tangled in her hair. I’m not unaware of the chemistry pulling us together. I think it has been since the moment she arrived, but definitely since we uncapped it in the parking lot. I can’t keep my hands off her, and I don’t want to.

“All these years, I don’t know if it’s that I wasn’t allowed to or if I just didn’t because you’re his sister, but now, I can’t stop. I don’t want to. You’re all I see, and you’re so beautiful,” I tell her quietly.

She takes a step closer to me, her hands finding my chest, and her eyes slip shut. When she opens them, there’s an earnestness in them that I’m certain she doesn’t show many people.

“I haven’t felt seen in a really long time.”

“Isn’t that a tragedy.” My thumb strokes the side of her neck, and her lips part at the sensation.

Bending down, I brush my lips against hers. “I’ll miss you, but I hope you have fun.”

She steps into me and wraps her arms around me. Her head falls just under my chin, and I drop it as we embrace. I could stand here and hug her forever. Having her body flush with mine, my size is so much bigger in the way I envelop her, it’s where she belongs. Next to me. With me. She’s always been just my best friend’s little sister, but after today, after that kiss, I don’t care what anyone says. She’s now mine.

Chapter 28

Lily

The sun is bright and hot today as Morgan and I stretch out under the shade of our cabana. Last night, after we left Tyler’s, I called the Sandpearl on Clearwater Beach and booked us a room. I had read about this resort, their restaurants, and the spa, and knew it would be the perfect beach place for us. We could walk to other establishments to eat and shop, or we could lie by the pool all day and raise the white service flag. It’s not too crowded, as schools are officially back in and the summer break is over. I find that delightful, and this is the perfect way to celebrate me finishing Love at the Lake and my book signing offer.

“It’s kind of like a mini book tour,” Morgan says, taking a sip of her piña colada. Is there really another drink that screams beach vacation more than this one? Pineapple, coconut, and rum—whoever invented this better have earned a lifetime award.

“I wouldn’t call it a book tour if there’s only one location.” And what a location it is. It’s located on the Upper West Side, just two blocks off Central Park and a few blocks from Columbus Circle. Its foot traffic is amazing, but it also has that neighborhood charm where shops still decorate their windows for holidays and have regulars who frequent often.

“You never know. Once the word gets out that you did one signing, I’m certain others will be calling too.” She sets her drink down and leans back on the lounge chair.

“You have a lot of faith in unknown popularity.”

“What do you mean by unknown? Your release rank for the past couple of books and your newsletter subscriber list would argue that you’re very known.”

“Maybe, but there’s still this level of uncertainty and fear.”

“You have nothing to be afraid of. Any business is good business, and the book will sell. I’ve read it. It has every element your readers have come to love about you.”

“Do you think part of my appeal is because I’m anonymous? I’m mysterious and secretive with my life. I think that might have attracted some as well. If I go public, I may lose some of that, for lack of a better phrase, magical element.”