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He cocks his head. “Do you like her?”
I blow out a frustrated breath as I grab the keys to mybike and level him with a glare. “Regardless of whether I find Lily attractive, I’m not interested in anything right now.”
“Okay,” he says, holding his hands up in defence. “Simmer down, it was just a question.”
I drop my voice. “Look, Lily’s been through some shit in Sydney. Just give her some space to figure out what she’s doing before you make a move, alright?”
He narrows his eyes. “Should I be worried?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.” He presses his lips together but moves out of the way so I can leave. Lily is still sitting on the couch where I left her. “You ready?” She looks between me and Tom and nods. “Alright, let’s go.”
TWELVE
LILY
MY STOMACH SWIRLS in anticipation as Tom holds the door open to Patty’s on Friday night. I only finished my first shift three hours ago, but I’m not here for work. I’m here to meet Harley and Tom’s friends. My skin tingles where Harley’s hand rests on my back as he guides me towards the pool tables at the back of the bar.
I spot the blonde girl from the photos on Harley’s fridge leaning over one of the tables to take her shot, and for a moment, I wonder if this is his “complicated” girlfriend. That is until a golden-haired God steps up behind her, his hands on her hips in a way that tells me the two of them are more than friends. She sinks the black ball and celebrates, spinning to throw her arms around his neck.
Tom pokes me in the ribs, and I startle, looking up at him. “Relax, Lil. These are good people.”
“Mmhmm.” I paste a smile on my face.
“If it gets too much for you,” Harley leans down and murmurs in my ear. “Just say the word.”
“It’s fine.” I’ve never hadrealfriends. The girls that I used to hang around were all daughters of my dad’s associates. Girls that had been vetted by him for whatever their family could do to help ours.
Everyone looks up as we approach, and the butterflies in my stomach go into overdrive. Harley introduces me, and I try to keep up with all the names. Ivy, Wren, Ronnie, Brady, Jordan, Conrad. The last guy eyes me warily, glancing down at where Harley’s hand still rests on my lower back.
“Do you want a drink?” Tom asks, leaning in.
“Yes, please,” I say gratefully. I haven’t received my first paycheck yet, and I’m next-level broke. “A whiskey and coke would be great.”
“Top shelf, huh?” He arches his brow, and my cheeks heat. When you grow up stealing liquor from your dad’s stash, you develop certain tastes. “I’m kidding,” he says with a grin, hip-checking me
Conrad follows him over to the bar, glancing over his shoulder at us, and I take a deep breath as I turn to Harley. “What’s that guy’s problem?”
“It’s a long story.”Story of my life.“Don’t worry about him.” His eyes dart to Ivy, who is also watching us closely, and my suspicions are piqued again.
“Isthatsomething I should know about?” I tease, poking him in the ribs.
“Ivy?” He laughs, surprise coating his tone. “She’s my best friend.”
“Not your ex?”
“Definitely not.”
“Lily,” Wren calls, patting the seat next to her at the high-top table. “Come sit with us.”
I look up at Harley, and he grins, nudging me in their direction. “Go. Have fun.”
Tom sets my drink down in front of me with a wink as I take a seat between Wren and Ivy.
“So, you’re from Sydney?” Ronnie asks.
“Born and bred,” I say with a smile.
“And you met Harley while he was there?” Ivy’s tone is light but inquisitive.
