―I‘m going to be spending a lot of time here.‖
―No problem.‖ He said without turning around as he filled the kettle, ―We can balance things out together.‖
―I‘m staying the night to.‖Luke stilled, set down the kettle and turned to face his friend.
―With Lily.‖ Max said.
―Max, she‘s my baby sister.‖
―Yeah, and she‘s my future wife.‖ He countered.―You already know how I feel about her.‖ He paused swallowing hard,
―If this is serious, I don‘t want to miss out for a moment.You have to admit, she‘s more mature than her age, and she‘s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.‖
―I‘ve seen the way she looks at you; she wouldn‘t deny you anything Max. This is my concern and she has enough to worry about.‖
―Something the three of us will take on together, but I‘m not leaving.‖ He said just as his phone rang.It was Doctor 129
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Chang.
Luke finished making tea while Max was on the phone.
Lily was sitting on the couch in a satin baby blue robe just staring at the far wall, ―How are you holding up?‖ He said setting the tea down on the table in front of her before sitting beside her.
―I‘m still trying to absorb it all. It seems like a really bad dream.‖
Luke put his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, ―its okay sis, we‘ll beat this.‖
She looked up at him, ―I think that‘s one of the stages of grief—denial.‖
He chuckled and flicked a finger over the tip of her nose,
―Maybe, but we do have an advantage that a lot of people don‘t have.‖
―What‘s that?‖
―Max.‖ That made her smile.
―You love him don‘t you sis?‖ he said seriously.
It took her a moment to respond, ―I think from the moment I hit puberty.‖ She said releasing a small laugh. ―I‘m just another woman in a long line of women to fall for him.‖She sighed taking a sip of her tea.
―Do you think that‘s how he sees you?‖
She shrugged a shoulder, ―I don‘t know—there are times I think—maybe, then something happens and he withdraws.‖
Luke knew that was his fault. He made Max promise him that he would give her time to grow up. Despite Max‘s love for his little sister, he had shown an incredible amount of restraint.
He doubted he could do the same if it were him in that position.
―Did Max go home?‖
―No he‘s on the phone with the Doctor from the clinic.‖
―About the specialist?‖
―Yes.‖
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―Do you think he meant that—about funding a research project on my prognosis?‖
―Definitely."
―Why?‖
He studied Lily‘s expression of puzzlement for a moment to see if she even had a clue on how much Max cared for her, but there was nothing.He felt guilty over that, because it was his wishes that kept Max at a distance, and if this was a serious illness that she had, she would never know how much Max really cared.―Do you even have the slightest idea on how much he cares about you?‖
―Yes, he loves me like a little sister of his best friend. He watched me grow up, he helped me with my homework, he was there for me today—― she stopped because her eyes began to water up remembering what he told the doctor.
―I suppose I should blame myself for you not knowing the truth Lily. I‘ve asked Max to take it slow—―
―Slow?‖ she said blinking, ―Take what slow?‖
He turned to her with his expression serious, ―Max wasn‘t saying he was your fiancé so he‘d have rights over your care, which is what you‘re assuming.He really does want to marry you.‖
Lily‘s mouth hung open, ―What—but he—I mean—―
―The only reason you aren‘t married to him now is because I told him to stay back and allow you to grow up for a few more years. As my friend he‘s respecting my wishes.‖
―You told him?‖
―He wanted to tell you when you were sixteen.Way too young.‖
Lily just stared at him with a mixture of shock and anger on her expression. Everything started making sense to her. He didn‘t want to betray Luke and that‘s what kept him from making love to her completely in Greece.Then there was his coolness, 131
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the guilt she thought she saw and his ever looming possessiveness.
―Listen. Don‘t blame Max, I told him to wait at least until you were twenty-four, but when Nikos showed interest, he near went through the roof—―
She just gaped at him.
―He wanted to propose to you that day, I told him no, you were too young. You walked in after the argument was over.
