I pulled her into an embrace. “No, darling, that was not a dig at you spending my money. You can take all of it, I don’t mind. I just didn’t realise how much you enjoy reading. I guess I don’t really know that much about ye.”
The waiter came and we ordered pasta; he left politely not wanting to interrupt our conversations.
“Why don’t ye tell me about yeself? What are your passions? What do youse or did you do for work?” I asked.
Lily busied herself putting the books back into her bag. “There isn’t much to know: my parents disowned me; they didn’t approve of my life choices. They wanted me to stay at home and be my father’s carer for the rest of my life. Give up everything, my singing, my art, my life. I couldn’t do it.” She took a deep breath, “Funny, I left them to not be put in a cage and I ended up being in one anyway with him.”
I nodded. “I don’t have any family either, my parents died in a car crash when I was twenty. My older brother did not approve of me being in a band. The band now is the only family I have and the best I ever had. I can get ye a job on tour if you like. We always need runners and crew. It might be boring work, but at least think about it.”
She nodded.
They ate the rest of the meal in awkward silence before I es courted her outside. “So, clothes? We need to get you some, as much as I don’t mind ye borrowing mine. I am sure you would prefer something that fits you.”
“I can’t just keep on taking your money,” Lily objected. “You have been more than kind already.”
I sighed; I really was too tired for this insecurity from her ex calling her a gold digger. “Look, as much as I understand where your hesitation is coming from to accept my help, I am not him! I never will be him, and I just wish youse could understand that! What I’m doing for ye now was done for me by someone who believed in me when I was twenty and had nothing to my name other than the clothes I wore. After my parents died, I lost the house, I was sleeping on the streets and someone was kind enough to take me in. Gave me the apartment that ye are staying in. I am just trying to pay it forward. I know you have no home, no job and little left. I paid your debts off to give you a fresh start. Like I was given. So, take it or leave it, but seriously, stop treating me like I am a monster who is going to abuse you at any moment. I will not stand for that! I am not here for sex; even though the sex with you is pretty fucking amazing. I ask nothing of you. I would like us to be friends and if ye want to keep having sex that’s fine by me. If ye don’t want to have sex, that is fine too! Because youse are the most amazing, beautiful, kind and gifted woman I have ever known. If ye want more than friends, maybe in time we could have that too. But if ye want none of that, then just take the money I put in your account and fucking go. Don’t play with my heart and my friendship like he played with you. Make your damn mind up, English.”
They stood staring at each other for a few long minutes, Lily looking like she wanted to bolt away.
“Fuck this shit, I am going to work. I will talk to youse later.” I stormed off back to the studio leaving Lily alone with her thoughts.
Chapter 12
Lily’s POV
I stood there staring after Adrian as he left, tears starting to fall. This last week with him had been amazing. For the first time since my abuser I could dare to find myself happy, to enjoy the company of another. The city came alive for me as he showed me around. I felt excited to explore more of it with him. Like, when I woke late this morning and found a little love note on my pillow and his credit card, telling me to go shopping and where to meet for lunch. I had spent an hour toying with the idea of spending his money before I actually had decided to buy a few books after assuring myself I would pay him back when I got a job. Although I wasn’t sure what job I could get here in Dublin. I certainly couldn’t go back to England. There was nothing left for me there.
Had he really paid off my debts and put money in my account? Well, there was a quick way to find out. I dug around in my bag for my bank card and pushed it into the nearest ATM. “Oh my God,” I muttered to myself seeing the balance. I would never have to work again, but I didn’t need his money! Well, technically I did because I was broke and unemployed, but that didn’t mean I was going to accept it. Or his bullshit, he couldn’t buy my affections. I wasn’t his prostitute.
I caught a taxi back to his apartment using the key he had given me to get inside, the doormen knew me well enough by now to not bother me as I headed up. I hunted out my suitcase and shoved all of my clothes into it. The few extras Adrian bought me soon ended up in a carrier bag tied to the top of it. Making sure I left nothing behind, I ripped a piece of paper from my sketch book leaving him
