“Wow,” Lily's voice echoes down the hall. I remain in my office, giving Taryn the time she needs with her friend. I sit in silence listening to her walk Lily through each room and each time she awe’s over the details. “This place is gorgeous.”
“He built it slowly over time, making it exactly what he wanted, every little detail.”
Actually, it was more of every aspect I thought Taryn would ever dream of, but close enough.
Hearing their footsteps grow close, I push back my chair and stand. As I reach the doorway of my office Taryn steps into view. The need to touch her hits me, but I refrain, remembering Rowan’s words, and taking it slow.
“Lily,” Taryn steps closer and places her hand on my chest, positioning her body at my side. The moment her body touches my own I feel grounded. “This is Merick.”
“Well I can definitely see what drew you to him,” Lily replies before she looks me over from head to toe. I wait a few seconds giving her the chance to observe me before I reach out and offer her my hand.
"It’s great to finally meet you, I’ve heard so much about you.” Cautiously she places her hand in mine still watching me close.
Chancing a glance at Taryn, she gives me a nod and I know it's her silent way of telling me that her friend approves. After all, Taryn can hear what she is thinking.
“I’ve told Taryn that the two of you are welcome to stay here, treat the house as your own and enjoy yourselves. I know you’ll want to catch up, talk and have as much time as you can for girl time, but—”
“But at night you’d like her by your side?” Lily interrupts and I want to say hell yes, but I wait. Her smile grows wide and Taryn shows no signs of discomfort which I find surprising considering she has been so nervous about her family and friends meeting me. “I may have figured out already that my sweet friend here has not been sleeping many nights at her own place. But I can’t say that I blame her. I mean if I had the choice to sleep in a two-bedroom cabin alone, or curled in close to you at night, I would most definitely go for option two.”
It is my turn to laugh.
“You should know that I am blunt, and on most occasions I forget my filter. No need to sugarcoat things, it wastes entirely too much time. If I feel it, think it or need it, I voice it.” Lily winks, and then releases the hold she still has on my hand. Spinning around she starts toward the kitchen. “Do you have any chilled wine in this castle?”
“Oh shit,” Taryn whispers at my side and I look down seeing a panic in her eyes for the very first time. “I forgot about the wine, what is she going to think when I refuse to drink it with her?”
Placing my arm over her shoulders, I pull her in a little closer. “Looks like your friend with no filter is about to be the first person you tell that you are carrying our child.” Kissing her forehead, I release her and follow her friend. My girl is having a battle of wills, I know it. So, I will leave her alone to sort it out. I am ready to tell everyone, but I’ll let her catch up with the idea.
As I enter the kitchen, I find Lily sifting through the fridge. After finding what she is looking for she spins around to see me standing there. “So, Merick,” placing the wine bottle on the counter she begins to sift through the draws in search of a corkscrew. Finding it on the first try she begins to open the bottle, making eye contact with me once more. “Do you have any friends who look like you and own their own giant castle in the woods?”
I know right then and there that I like this girl. Lily is going to be a part of my life now, because she is an important part of Taryn’s. But not only that, I genuinely like her.
“I’ll see who I can find.”
Taryn
“You’re pregnant!” Lily screeches. “Oh my god!” She throws her arms around me, hugging me tight. “Girl you work fast.”
Of course, I can’t tell her that I can hear thoughts, but I’m learning to work around that. “I know this is all so sudden, but I knew there was something between us the moment we met. I hope you can be happy for me.”
“Girl, I’m eighty percent happy and about twenty percent jealous.” Lily sets down her wine glass and pulls me into a hug. “I’ve never seen you look this happy or content. This place has done wonders for you. Maybe I need to make the move to this small town in Montana.”
I love her to death, but she’d go insane in a small town like this. She loves the big city life, but hell, I thought I loved the big city life too. “That would be amazing, but you don’t want a small town life.”
“Maybe if I had a big hunk of man like yours I might consider it.” She sits back down and grabs her glass of wine. “When are you going to tell your parents about Merick and the baby?”
“Soon. I hope they’ll be as happy for me as you are.” I’m afraid my parents will be on the first plane here and try to take me home to Illinois.
“Of course they will. You’ve found a man who clearly adores you. He seems normal and makes good money because I mean look at this place.” Lily waves her hand all around. She turns her head and shouts. “Big man. We require sustenance.”
I shake my head. “God, I’ve missed you.” Lily gives me a cheeky grin.
My pulse begins to race when Merick comes walking into the kitchen. He comes
