Why can’t she? I’d go.
That gives me an idea. I should be using my connections. What’s the point being me if it doesn’t come with its advantages?
“Go by yourself then. It’s not like you’re dating him. You are single… ready to mingle.”
I do not like the sound of Lauren’s suggestion.
“I’m not ready.”
“I understand. But, babe, please have fun. Forget about Mom and Dad. This is your fresh start.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to hug you when you get home.”
“Me, too. Happy New Year, Lilly.”
“Happy New Year, Lolly.”
16
Luca
Lilly has no idea about the surprise I have planned. After eavesdropping in on her conversation with her sister, Lauren gave me the perfect idea to cheer Lilly up and say thank you for everything. She doesn’t know how much she’s made me think about things. I mean, let’s be honest, outside of fucking her, eating and playing Monopoly, there isn’t anything else to do but be with your thoughts. I spent the day googling everything about New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh. There’s a castle where they have a huge fireworks display. It looks cool and something totally out of my comfort zone. I made a couple of calls, and voilà, we’re all booked in.
“Why do you have a creepy smile on your face?” Lilly looks up at me from her place by the fire where she likes to read her book.
“I have a surprise for you.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Really?” Her eyes drift to my dick, he twitches under her gaze.
“Eyes up here,” I tease. “You can thank him later, but right now, I’m taking you away.”
“Away!” She raises her voice.
“Yes. You and I are going away somewhere special for tonight.” I can see she wants to argue, but she’s genuinely shocked. “Go… get changed. I have packed a bag for you.”
“You did what?”
Did I overstep the mark with my surprise?
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“I am.” Next thing I know, she rushes over to me and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Oh my God, I’m so excited.” With that, she rushes out of the room to get changed, and I laugh.
“Are you ready?” I ask a short time later as we jump into the 4WD.
“Yes.” She nervously shakes one of her legs up and down repeatedly. “No one has spontaneously booked a holiday for me before. Even if it’s for one night.”
“We’re going to have one crazy New Year’s Eve, Lilly. We are going to bring in the year of being selfish.”
“Hell, yes,” she replies, then claps her hands excitedly.
According to the map, Edinburgh is about three hours away, but the drive is through a heap of mountains, so it will probably take us a while to get there. Ever the guide, Lilly gives me a history lesson as we go. We stop at some quaint little villages on the way to look around. As much as I told her we’re in a hurry, she is having way too much fun, and as long as we make it there before midnight, I’m fine with however long it takes.
The level of comfort I feel around her, I have never felt with another woman. Maybe, I’ve always let whatever I have with a woman be very superficial, but our situation has made it deeper and more meaningful. I mean, we have literally been stuck in the tiniest of cottages for a week—how could we not get to know each other on a basic level.
There’s only so much fucking you can do.
There I’ve said it—take my man card.
I have been thinking more and more about Lilly’s question regarding being friends after this is all over. Can we just be friends? I mean, it’s going to be hard not imagining her naked every time I’m around her, but it’s better than not having her in my life at all.
That could still happen, though, when she finds out who you are.
She’ll understand, won’t she?
I mean it doesn’t define me. I’m still the same man, it’s just my job isn’t exactly what I told her it was. Technically, I haven’t lied. Yes, you have.
Pushing those thoughts away, I concentrate on the here and now because, in this moment, I know Lilly likes me for me.
“What’s going on in that big old head of yours? You seem incredibly quiet all of a sudden?” Lilly reaches out and links her hand with mine. Looking over at her, her light brown hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. She’s wearing no makeup, and her cheeks are pink from the winter wind at our last stop.
“Isn’t that my question to you?”
“Seems like I’ve been rubbing off on you.” She smiles brightly at me, her blue eyes shimmering with happiness.
“I like it when you rub off on me.” My innuendo makes her blush. “I like you.”
“I like you, too.”
“Good.”
She frowns. “That’s all?” She pushes me for more.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day about being friends.” She stiffens slightly. “I want that... you and me to be friends.” Her face lights up, and it’s fantastic to watch. “I can’t guarantee I won’t stop flirting with you, though,” I warn her.
“You’re Italian, it’s in your blood to flirt.” She smirks.
“True. Beautiful women are our weakness.” This makes her chuckle. “I’m glad you stumbled in on me naked.”
“Me, too,” she agrees, squeezing my hand. “Let’s make this the best New Year’s Eve, friend.”
I know what she meant when she used the word ‘friend’ but not going to lie, it stung. Have I ever been friend-zoned? I mean, we’ll still be sleeping with each other for a couple more weeks, but after that, there will be nothing.
It’s not even like I could want more. No matter how much I may want it, my family would never accept Lilly. For one, she isn’t Italian. She is fluent in Italian, though. Two, she isn’t from the right breeding. Right, because the
