Page 67 of Claiming Lily

“Thanks, Dad.” I balance the dish carefully, the glass dish still radiating heat.

“Oh my goodness, hello there!” Mom’s voice carries that particular pitch that means she’s spotted something interesting. I turn to see her zeroing in on Lily like a heat-seeking missile. “I’m Carol, Cole’s mom and this is John. You must be⁠—”

“Lily,” my girl says, standing and extending her hand with a polite smile that doesn’t quite hide her nervousness.

Mom completely ignores the offered handshake and pulls Lily into a hug instead. “Lily! That’s right. You and your mom moved here when you were in elementary. Oh! And you’re the sweet realtor who helped the Scrivener’s sell their house when they moved into that lovely senior center. They couldn’t stop talking about how patient and kind you were.”

Lily’s cheeks flush pink. “That’s so nice of them to say.”

I catch Hudson and Gage wearing matching smirks, clearly enjoying my suffering. Assholes.

“Weren’t you dating Matt?”

Lily swallows. “Uh, yeah. I was. We broke up.”

“His fault?” Mom asks with a sympathetic look.

Nodding, Lily sighs. “Yup.”

“Well, on to better things, hmm?” Mom keeps her arm looped through Lily’s, practically vibrating with excitement. “So tell me, sweetie. Are you dating one of these three? They’re single, you know.”

The color drains from Lily’s face before flooding back in a rush of crimson that spreads down her neck. She opens her mouth but no sound comes out.

Time to intervene. I clear my throat. “How was Bali? Did you get those pictures you wanted to show us?”

“We have some amazing shots,” Dad says, patting his shirt pocket. “Wait until you see the sunrise over Mount Batur.”

I carry the cinnamon rolls to the kitchen table. The sweet, spiced scent fills the air as I set the dish down and grab plates from the cabinet. “Everyone hungry?”

“Starving.” Gage pulls out chairs.

Mom practically drags Lily with her to the table, still chattering away about their trip. I serve everyone but Lily a warm roll, the glaze dripping down the sides, and settle into my chair.

“Don’t you dare forget to give her one,” Mom scolds.

“Oh, it’s okay. I’m lactose intolerant,” Lily says quickly. “Those look amazing, but I’d regret eating one.”

“I wish I’d known. Next time I’ll bring something for you to eat. How long will you be staying?”

“Can I see those pictures, Dad?”

Mom scrutinizes me, but she lets it go as they launch into their travel stories, Dad pulling out his phone to show photos of historical places and beaches and the villa they stayed in. For a few blessed moments, they’re wholly distracted, but I know it won’t last.

I lean close to Lily, my voice barely above a whisper. “Sorry about this. They can be overwhelming.”

She gives me a confused look. “Why are you apologizing? They’re nice.”

A pointed throat-clearing from across the table makes us both freeze like kids caught sneaking cookies before dinner. Mom squints as she studies us. That calculating look I know all too well has me bracing for what comes next.

“So you are dating her!” she announces triumphantly, pointing between us.

Lily stammers and flushes again. We really need to work on her poker face.

“I . . . we’re not . . . it’s complicated . . .” Lily trails off.

I open my mouth to explain, but what the hell am I supposed to say? That we’re all falling for her but she doesn’t know it yet? That she’s living with us temporarily but we’re hoping to make it permanent?

Gage saves us both. “Actually, we’re all dating Lily.” He shoves a bite of cinnamon roll into his mouth and grins at me and Hudson with puffy cheeks.