AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 5
Lily
In the powder room I take my mask off, dabbing at the perspiration with a damp towel. I can’t believe I made out with Grayson like that. He’s the landlord of my building and a total jerkface—except he didn’t seem like a jerk tonight. He stepped up right when I needed a shoulder to lean on. I haven’t had someone like that in my life since forever. I’ve been going it alone so long—trying to prove to myself and my family that I can be a success—that I never really considered the consequences.
To have someone on my side, even if only for an evening, feels like an incredible luxury. One that I could easily get used to because it feels so damn good.
This started as such a crappy evening, being ditched by my father at the last minute. He’s not even coming to town. Some business thing was too important for him to come see his only daughter’s coffee shop just two hours away. Then Grayson steps forward like a knight in shining tuxedo, sweeping me off my feet and onto the dance floor. After a few drinks and a few dances, I was more than ready to find some privacy.
My cheeks tint pink with heat as I remember initiating our kiss. Do I regret it? Hell, no. Do I want more? That would be a strong yes.
I finish up in the powder room and return to the courtyard, done with the mask and ready to invite Grayson home with me for the night. We got off on the wrong foot, but I think we can get things—bodies—straightened out.
Maximillian is still sitting with Grayson on the bench. I came out through a different door, one that was closer to the ladies’ room, so they haven’t yet seen me. I’m about to step into view when I overhear Maximillian refer to me.
“And what about the coffee hippie woman? You’re selling the building, right? Is she going to be a problem? I have to say, I don’t think the community will miss her shop. They’d probably rather go to Drink n’ Donuts.”
A buzzing sound fills my ears so I don’t hear Grayson’s response. An achingly familiar pain scratches through my chest, like a hundred tiny needles spreading outward from my heart and piercing through my skin. Once again, I’m misjudged. Once again, I’m dismissed. I can’t believe this keeps happening over and over again. First, my father. Now, this.
“Well, I’m off.” Maximillian stands to go. “See you tomorrow.”
The needles that were tiny pinpricks explode into the fury of a thousand suns. I’m so done with this. Rage propels me forward, like the wind fanning an out of control fire.
I stop in front of Grayson.
“How dare you?” My hands clench helplessly at my hips, betrayal burning behind my eyes. “Since the beginning, you have dismissed me. Thought you could seduce me into agreeing to your plans? Thought you were dealing with a little hippie girl with no sense, right? Wrong! You didn’t play me. I played you.” Blood pumps through me, raising my temper and my voice.
“I have an MBA from Harvard, you son of a bitch. Just because I don’t choose to spend my life working my ass off and forgetting about the people who love me… Just because I wear comfy clothes and sell organic coffee doesn’t mean I’m an idiot. I’m not a flake. I’m not a hippie. I’m the former VP of Sales & Marketing at Fairview Services.”
Still infuriated, I get right in Grayson’s face. “You will not break me. Your opinion has no bearing on my happiness. I am exactly who I want to be.”
Turning, I stride toward the exit, head high and shoulders back.
???
I wake up groggy the next day. Those drinks when I got home didn’t do me any favors. Groaning, I roll over and check the time—eight o’clock. Thank goodness Maria is working for me today. Still, I need to get up. I have a feeling my shop is about to be inundated with my girlfriends. They know my dad was supposed to be here yesterday and they’re going to want the scoop.
Thirty minutes later, I enter the shop through the kitchen, wet hair piled in a messy bun, wearing my most comfortable stretch pants and cotton tunic shirt. As expected, Tootsie and Penny sit at a table waiting for me.
“Uh oh, girl. You don’t look so good,” Penny remarks.
“She only wears her hair like that on a bad day. Terrible.” Maria makes her opinion known from the kitchen.
“Yes, Mamá!” Penny rolls her eyes at her mother. But that doesn’t stop both my friends from staring at me expectantly.
“Well, what happened?” Tootsie asks.
In an effort to delay answering, I ask a question of my own, “Hey, where’s Dot?”
“You didn’t see it? She had some drama at the masquerade and no one has seen her since.” Tootsie’s eyebrows raise as she shares the scoop.
“Penny had some drama of her own last night, didn’t you hija? She’s got a new man and he stayed over with the family,” Maria calls tauntingly from the kitchen.
“Mamá! Shush! This isn’t about me, this is about Lily!” she hollers back, then turns to me. “So, Lily, what happened?”
“My dad canceled at the last minute,” I admit.
“No!” Penny slams her hand on the table.
