Page 40 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

Lyra

Oh, that had been hysterical. I really needed to film William’s expressions. He was completely panicked. The whisk had mixed him like a fluffy cloud. And as I moved up his body, William changed from panic to nausea to horror. I put it down and began laughing uncontrollably. Damn, that was funnier than the foghorn.

As a peace offering, which I was aware William wouldn’t abide by, I made his favourite flavour: vanilla cake. He amused me with his obsession with vanilla, but each to their own. I let the cake settle and headed back upstairs to read the reports that Joseph had sent. They were tedious, but gave me a better idea of the estate and its size.

I’d just finished when someone knocked. I wasn’t expecting anyone; someone was coming to renovate the bathrooms, but that was next week. My cousins knocked and then let themselves in. So who could this be?

I opened the door and stopped, shocked. “What the hell do you want?” I demanded.

“Let me in; it’s cold out here.”

“Go get fuc—”

“Lyra, I’ve come a long way,” Cale insisted.

“I wouldn’t have bothered if I were you. We’ve nothing to say to each other,” I retorted and tried to shut the door.

“Lyra, please, I just need to talk,” Cale wheedled. I hesitated, and Cale’s face took on a pleading expression.

“Fine,” I grouched and moved back.

Cale stepped in and looked around. “Wow, this isn’t what I expected. This is cool.”

I watched Cale assess the kitchen. It looked amazing with its white and blue cupboards and the new appliances. Cale nodded in approval, and that rankled. Why did I need that? I didn’t.

“That smells good,” Cale said, nodding at the cake on its stand.

“Yup.” I sat down and folded my arms. “You’re not a guest, Cale. State what you want because you obviously aren’t here for a friendly visit.”

“Lyra, I made a mistake,” Cale began, looking apologetic when I guessed he was anything but.

“Which one? Cheating on me, humiliating me, not defending me, treating me like an unpaid servant, or thinking I’m an idiot? Please clarify.”

“Babe…”

“Nope. We’re not doing that. My name is Lyra, not babe. Use it,” I snapped.

Anger flashed in Cale’s eyes, and I knew he wasn’t here for me. “All of it. There were extenuating…”

“Cut the crap, Cale. Does Serena know you’re here?” I asked, cocking my head to one side.

“We’ve broken up. When the truth about her stealing your work surfaced, other colleagues spoke up. Serena was useless, a liar, a thief, and damn lazy.”

“Ah, just what you accused me of being then.” I held Cale’s eyes, and again there was that flash of anger. A soft noise sounded from behind me, and William was there.

“I’m sorry,” Cale murmured, putting feeling into it.

“Is that it? Are we done? I need to prepare dinner,” I asked as I rose from my chair.

“What do you mean? I’m here, apologising. Lyra, we are good together,” Cale said, reaching out and taking my hand.

“Oh, my God. Are you for real? Do you expect me to fall at your feet and resume our relationship?” I gasped, trying not to laugh.

“You loved me so much! Lyra, remember the happy times. We can have them again!” Cale insisted, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

“Tell me, Cale. Why do you suddenly want me back? Because Serena isn’t the genius you realised? Or perhaps you know I came into money and did some research. Or is it because you heard about the attempted land grab that was worth millions? Would you like me to drop the lawsuit against the firm? That would make you the golden boy. Or do they need me to return to take over those projects that no one else understands apart from me?”

Cale stepped back, lost for words, and then a forlorn expression crossed his face.