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“Um… no,” I say with a laugh. “We went on a few dates last year but that was it. Not compatible.”
“I see why,” Lilly replies and then takes my hand. “Come on… let’s get back to your family. Claire was telling me some really good stories about you.”
I groan at the thought but deep down, I love that they’re bonding. Even if my pride takes a little ding from Claire’s insistence on embarrassing me.
But I’m not about to spend any more time tonight with family bonding. I want alone time with the woman who has somehow managed to enslave my heart.
CHAPTER 23
Lilly
At the knockon my apartment door, I curse under my breath. I’m usually such a good time manager but today got away from me and I’m not even close to being ready.
I give a frustrated huff as I stare into the bathroom mirror, my wave wand held loosely in my hand. My makeup is done, but only half of my massive mane is curled.
Like, literally… exactly half of it, the other half straight as a whistle.
I set the wand down, grateful I’m already dressed. It allows me to power walk straight to the door to open it for Boone.
“I’m nowhere near ready,” I exclaim, turning my back on him to rush into the bathroom. “Need about ten more minutes.”
“Whoa, wait a minute,” he says, just as his hand clamps down on my wrist. He tugs me back toward him, eyes raking over me critically. “Why are you so frazzled?”
I give a fluttering wave around my head. “I only have half my hair done. I need to finish it.”
Boone leans back and examines my unfinished hairdo. “I see what you mean. Come on.”
Moving past me but not relinquishing his hold, he pulls me down the hallway to the bathroom. The space is small and so he ushers me in first, coming to stand behind me. Leaning to the side, he rummages through my large makeup and hair tote that I normally keep in my bedroom since there’s not enough space in here, given it’s the only bathroom for three people.
Grabbing a hair elastic, he sets it between his teeth and I watch mesmerized in the reflection as he gathers my hair on top of my head and swirls it around to mix the straight hair with the curls. He then wraps the hair tie around it, creating the most perfect messy bun I’ve ever seen.
He studies his work and gives me a nod. “There. Now you’re ready.”
My mouth drops open slightly as I tilt my head left and right. “How did you do that?”
Boone shrugs. “I’m artistic. Plus, I used to have long hair in high school, so I know my way around a rubber band.” He grabs my hand and pulls me out of the bathroom. I still need to get my shoes on and I’m about to tell him so since I know we’re probably late for our dinner reservations, but he instead leads me around to the couch where he pulls me onto his lap. “Now, tell me why you’re so frazzled.”
“We’re going to be late—”
Boone puts his finger over my lips. “Dinner can wait or we can cancel and order in. More important to find out what’s causing these…” The pad of his finger moves from my lips to tap the center of my forehead. “Worry lines.”
“I’m not worried about—”
“Plus… you were running late and you never do that. You’re the most punctual person I know. You’re habitually early.”
“You don’t know me that well,” I grumble, but the truth is… he does.
“Spill it, Lilly. What’s got you in a knot?”
I shake my head as my eyes dart to the side, but I’m well aware that my forehead is probably a sea of creases.
“Lilly,” Boone says softly, leaning in to brush his lips against mine. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” I say, a mere blissful second of denial before I vomit a litany of concerns on him. “Well, it’s Aiden. He’s been a little run-down the last few days. I first noticed it the day Dad got out of rehab.”
Apprehension ripples over Boone’s face. “Noticed what?”
I struggle to find the right words. “He seems off. Like I know he can be a pistol when he wants, but you know he’s mostly an affable kid, even when he’s sick. But he’s been a little quieter… a little withdrawn. Tired… he’s been sleeping more. At first I thought, maybe Dad coming out of rehab threw things off a bit. Trying to settle back into a new routine. I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
