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“Whatexactlyare we celebrating?”Strands of Lily’s wavy hair dance in the candlelight, revealing a pattern of warm browns underneath.
We click our champagne flutes together. The restaurant is upscale with breathtaking ocean views. It’s the perfect atmosphere to catch Lily off guard. Taking her out on these dates—even if she refuses to admit that’s what this is—has been my favorite way to pass the time recently.
“You.” My lips tug into a grin as she eyes me, slowly sipping on her bubbles.
Since spotting the blog on Lily’s computer, finding that pen on her desk, and digging around online, I’m certain it’s hers.
Zoe Mona.
Who else is writing about a fuck buddy situation in Brazil?
I’m curious why she hasn’t told me yet. Sure, she’s allowed privacy, but her new novella, if it’s actually hers, is doing really well. At least from my limited knowledge of bestseller charts. Wouldn’t she want to commemorate such a moment?
Bringing it up now may be a bad idea. She’s still skittish after the beach interrogation, and I don’t want to risk her getting upset and going home. Even if Lily refuses to let me in on the alter ego, I can still tread lightly and use this dinner as my little secret to celebrate her.
“Okay.” She sets her glass down beside mine.
“Why can’t you let me do that? Does everything need a reason?”
“Be honest, is this blow job champagne to match our fuck buddy bracelets?” Lily flashes me her wrist, and I hold up my flute with the arm adorning the matching strings.
The waiter appears at our table wide-eyed. Obviously, he heard her question.
I can’t help but laugh. “After what you did in the shower yesterday, I think you deserve much more than champagne.”
“Well,” she taunts. “I already have a new dress, we’re at a restaurant with no prices listed on the menu, and we got champagne with a name you could barely pronounce. If I had known I’d be getting such princess treatment, I would’ve started giving you head earlier.”
The waiter clears his throat. “Um, I can come back later if this isn’t a good time.”
I give Lily a quick wink, and we order our dinner, putting the poor penguin suit out of his misery.
When he’s gone, I glance over at her.
“So, you know, the princess treatment, as you’ve put it, is only foryou.Not because you gave me something, but because you’remyprincesa.”
“Why have you been going out of your way to make things so special?” Her eyes narrow on me.
The question hits me with a wave of surprise. “I don’t know. I like making an effort for you.”
“Hmm.” Lily looks away, but the blush on her cheeks is obvious.
Now that her face brims with self-satisfaction, I can begin my line of careful questioning. “Remember the neighbor at my brother’s beach house?”
The playfulness claps off her face. “Umm, random question.”
“Just came to mind,” I say casually. “What did he do again?”
“How the hell should I know? He was probably retired.” Her poker face is ironclad, but I’ve spent enough time memorizing the microscopic details of her mannerisms. When she’s lying, her eyes narrow and her black eyeliner tilts downward, just like now.
“Did you ever hook up with him?” I sure hope not.
“Why?”
“Read something the other day that made me think of last summer and the next-door neighbor.”
Lily refills her champagne and takes a hefty gulp. “When have you found so much time for reading?”
“It’s important to stay up to date on current events.”
