Page 68 of Claiming Lily

Leave it to him to drop a bomb and then carry on like nothing happened.

The words hang in the air for exactly two seconds before Dad starts chuckling. “Well, thank God. I was worried someone might break up the trio.”

Mom claps her hands together, her face lighting up like Christmas morning. “Oh, this is wonderful! Honey, this is so much better than that awful girl Cole brought home that one time. Remember her?”

Dad wrinkles his nose. “Unfortunately.”

I wince, remembering Sierra and her constant complaints about everything from my job to my friends to my relationship with my parents. She’d lasted exactly three weeks. Outside of that, I’ve been too busy to really consider dating, and my mom hasn’t let me forget that she wants grandchildren.

“Now, Lily, sweetie,” Mom continues, leaning back in her chair with an angelic smile that I know means a full interrogation is coming. “How are they treating you?”

“They’ve been wonderful,” Lily says, the genuine warmth in her voice makes something tight in my chest loosen.

“Good. And how did this all start?”

Lily glances between the three of us, clearly trying to figure out how to navigate this conversation. “Well, it’s still pretty new.”

“How long has my son been keeping this secret from me?” Mom demands, shooting me a glare that could melt steel.

I hold up my hands innocently. “Mom, we literally just figured things out ourselves.”

She sniffs, unconvinced. “I raised you boys to share important news with family.”

Technically, she didn’t raise Hudson and Gage, but we’ve been friends long enough she’s like a second mom, especially to Gage.

Dad leans back in his chair, studying us with those keen eyes that miss nothing. “Leave them alone, hon. They’re adults.”

“I’m just asking questions!” Mom holds up her hands before turning back to Lily. “Are you happy, sweetheart?”

The question catches Lily off guard. She blinks, considering it, and when she answers, her voice is soft but sure. “Yeah. I am.”

Pride swells in my chest. She’s happy. Here, with us. That’s exactly where we want her to stay.

Dad pushes back from the table, groaning slightly as his joints protest. “Well, this has been lovely, but I need to get that oil change done before this arthritis decides to act up worse. Boys, you mind giving an old man a hand? These fingers don’t work like they used to.”

I give him an exasperated look. He probably doesn’t even need one, but he knows Mom isn’t done so he’s giving her an excuse to hold Lily hostage. These two are trouble. I start to protest, but Hudson is already standing. “Of course. Let’s get to it.”

Gage rises with them, but I linger. “I’ll be right out,” I tell them, glancing at Lily. The thought of leaving her alone with Mom makes me nervous. Not because Mom’s mean—she’s not—but this is a lot. What if Lily’s uncomfortable?

Mom waves me away. “Go on, Cole. Lily and I will be fine. Won’t we, dear?”

Lily nods, appearing completely relaxed. “We’ll be okay.”

“You’re sure?”

“He’s so sweet, isn’t he?” Mom murmurs.

I give her a look that I hope screams stop, for the love of god, stop. “Lily?”

She’s biting back a grin, playfully nudging me. “I swear it’s fine. Go help your dad.”

“Okay.” I spare my mom one more warning glance. “Be nice.”

Hand on her chest, she says, “I am always nice.”

“Uh-huh,” I say with a shake of my head, but I get up anyway. “Don’t embarrass me.”

“I’d never,” Mom vows.