Page 79 of Claiming Lily

“Figured you might want some lunch after,” Cole says, pushing off the truck. “How’d it go?”

“Really good actually. She was having a great day.” I look between the three of them. “Would you guys—I mean, sometime would you like to come see her? When she’s having a good day?”

“Of course,” Hudson says immediately, and the other two nod in agreement.

“We’d love to meet her,” Gage adds. “She raised an amazing daughter.”

My cheeks heat up, but I climb into the passenger seat of Hudson’s truck happier than I have been in a long time. As we pull out of the parking lot, my phone buzzes with a text.

UNKNOWN NUMBER

Hey. Are you there?

I frown at the screen. Probably a wrong number or some spam thing. I block the number without thinking twice about it and laugh at myself. For a split second, my heart had jumped into my throat, but that’s ridiculous. Matt is in jail. He can’t hurt me anymore.

Spam existed long before his stalking.

“Everything okay?” Hudson glances at me through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, just junk mail.” I slide my phone back into my purse and lean back in the seat. “So where are we eating? I’m starving.”

The crisp November air hits my face as we step out of the diner. I’m already dreading the end of this perfect day. Hudson’s hand finds mine, his thumb tracing lazy circles over my knuckles, while Cole and Gage lead the charge, their steps a little springy.

“So where to next?” Cole spins around, walking backward with his signature grin. “We could⁠—”

“Lily?”

Ugh. I know that voice. it doesn’t belong anywhere near my perfect bubble of happiness. I turn slowly, my stomach already twisting into knots. Work is the last thing I want to think about.

Tom Wilson stands there in his perfectly pressed khakis and polo shirt, looking completely out of place at the local diner. His hair is styled in a way that probably took way longer than it should have, and his expensive watch catches the afternoon light.

“Tom!” My voice comes tight, clearly not enthused, but I force a smile. “What a surprise seeing you here.”

His eyes sweep over Hudson, Gage, and Cole, taking in their flannel shirts and boots with obvious disdain. The city versus small mountain town rivalry at its finest. When his gaze returns to me, there’s something sharp in it that makes my skin crawl.

“I was coming to grab lunch. Who are your. . . friends?”

The way he says the word has my hackles rising. There’s an edge there, something possessive and dismissive all at once. It’s the same tone Matt used to use when he didn’t approve of my choices.

My chest tightens with that familiar flutter of anxiety, the need to explain myself, to make excuses, to smooth things over. But then I catch Cole’s eye. He’s watching me carefully, and I can practically see him ready to jump in if I need him to. Gage has gone completely still beside me, his protective instincts on high alert while Hudson’s hand tightens around mine, steady and reassuring.

No, you know what? Fuck this. Fuck being scared or apologetic for living my life. For being who I am. I’m so tired of people pleasing. “Actually, Tom, they’re not just friends.” I straighten my shoulders and let my smile turn wicked. “I’m dating them. All three of them.”

Tom’s face goes through about five different expressions. His mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, and I have to bite back a laugh.

“All . . . all three?” he sputters.

“Yep.” I pop the ‘p’ and beam at him like I announced I won the lottery. In a way, that’s how it feels. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

Cole snorts behind his hand, trying to cover his laughter. Gage’s mouth twitches with amusement. Hudson’s thumb resumes those soothing circles on my knuckles.

Tom’s face flushes red. For a moment, I think he might actually say something inappropriate, but then he seems to remember where he is, who he is, and forces his expression back to neutral.

“I see.” His voice is strained. “Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I hope you’re not being stupid, Lily.

Lily, don’t be dumb.