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He grins, finishing off the last of his coffee. “Sounds like a plan. Good luck with Beth, and let me know if you need any help with the dam.”
Lilly stands up, grabbing her bag. “Thanks, I will. See you later.”
“Wait, I’ll walk with you. I’m heading out, too.” Gage brings their cups to the sink, joining her as they go out to their vehicles. He pauses for a split second before he pulls her to him for a quick kiss.
“Later,” he winks.
Lilly’s shock at his playful behaviour gives her pause. It’s a different side of him, and she likes it. She checks out his ass when he opens the door and jumps in his truck.Damn, that’s a nice view. With a cheeky grin, he waves as he pulls out of her driveway. Shaking her head, she chuckles under her breath and climbs into her Jeep.
Chapter seventeen
Lillyleansherarmon the open window of her cherry red Jeep, the wind rushing through her hair as she drives the few miles to the dam.
Her quick meeting with Beth went well. She was excited to look after the store as it also gave her some chores to keep little Clara occupied. Unfortunately, lunch with Beth was off the table. If the other woman is going to take over the store for a while, she would need to finalize some plans with Emily at the school.
As she drives, Gage fills her mind, and her panther stirs, sending images from the previous night racing through her mind. Lilly can't shake off the memory of his touch, the warmth of his embrace, his genuine concern for her nightmares, or the gentle way he carried her to her room.
She can't wrap her head around the fact that she’sfinallymet her mate.
Pulling up to the dam, she spots Harold and Pete outside, standing beside the bench overlooking the water. These men are staples of the community, having helped rescue the Homani from the facilities years ago and making a safe place for them to live. These men taught them not only to be self-sufficient but also to be good people. They were their moral compasses when all her people had known was cruelty.Should she ask them for advice?
She pulls up beside them, and the two weathered humans with their plaid shirts and ball caps turn to greet her, their fit forms belying their senior age. She shuts her Jeep off and gets out, her boots clacking on the concrete as she approaches them.
"Morning, Lilly," Harold says with a smile. "What brings you out here so early?"
“I wanted to check on security.”
Pete tilts his head as he looks her over. “Are you feeling up to it?”
“She looks fine to me,” Harold says.
Pete elbows him. “Yeah, well, you can’t see shit.”
“Can too. She’s gotta glow to her.”
Pete’s eyes widen. “It’s that boy, isn’t it? The one we saw you with the other night.”
Harold rubs his whiskers and smiles. “That Crescent fella?”
Lilly returns the smile, but hesitates momentarily, unsure if she wants to reveal her feelings about Gage.How could she articulate her feelings? Should she? Yes. She trusts these two enough to take them into her confidence. "I… I need some advice, guys. It's about Gage."
She toes the concrete, briefly glancing down.
Pete raises an eyebrow. "Gage? What's going on?"
She feels the heat of a flush on her cheeks at Pete’s fatherly tone.
Harold pats the bench beside him. "Sit down, girl. Let's talk about it."
She takes a seat beside them, grateful for their presence. "I don't know what to do," she confesses. "Gage and I—we have a connection.” Lilly takes a deep breath. "We–we're mates, but I'm worried about what that means for us. If we're together, one of us would have to leave our home."
She turns her face up to the sun, allowing the warm rays to ground her. When neither of them speaks, she says, “He is the leader of Crescent. I run security here, not to mention my business... How can I leave Matt… and the rest of my family?”
Harold nods. "I hear ya. That’s a tough one. But you know, love finds a way. Maybe there's a compromise to be found."
Pete chimes in, "Yeah, and don't forget that you've got a whole community here that loves and supports you. Whatever happens, you won't be alone."
Harold chuckles softly, reaching over to pat her hand. "Girl, you're young. Don't be so quick to throw in the towel.”
