Page 52 of Aiden & Lily
“He didn’t walk all over me,” Lily said. “I made it clear that what he did hurt. And I didn’t pretend everything was fixed just because he apologized.”
Jasmine studied her. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you still hiding the relationship?”
Lily’s mouth opened, but no answer came immediately.
Jasmine’s brows lifted.
“Because he wants to be the one to tell Mathew,” Lily said at last. “And I understand that.”
“For how long?”
“A few days.”
“And if it becomes longer?”
Lily frowned. “Then I’ll say something.”
“Good.” Jasmine’s tone eased slightly. “Because grace is one thing. Letting him keep you in the shadows because he’s afraid of consequences is another.”
Lily’s grip tightened around the steering wheel. She didn’t like hearing it phrased that way. But she also couldn’t deny what her sister was saying.
“I know,” she murmured. “But… I… geez, I don’t know, Jazz. You weren’t there when he told me. You didn’t see how devastated he was when he realized what he’d done.”
“You mean when he got caught?” Jasmine asked.
Lily flinched.
Jasmine sighed and rubbed a hand over her face. “I’m sorry. That was harsh.”
“A little.”
“But I’m worried about you.” She reached across the console and squeezed Lily’s arm. “You’ve spent years saying you don’t give second chances. Now suddenly you’re giving one to a man who lied about his name, his work, and why he wanted to keep you hidden.”
“It’s not about whether he deserves another chance,” Lily said quietly. “It’s that I care about him enough to offer grace. But I’m not pretending none of it matters.”
Jasmine went silent, her skeptical gaze still fixed on Lily.
“Things might be strange right now because we’re both trying to maneuver this odd situation,” Lily continued. “But we’re doing it together. And honestly? I think it’s going to be worth the effort.”
She stared down at her hands.
“I love him, Jazz.”
When her sister didn’t say anything, Lily looked up.
Jasmine looked shocked. More than shocked, she looked as though she’d been turned to stone by Medusa herself.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. “You’ve never said you loved anyone before.”
“I know.”
“And you really love him?”
A smile spread across Lily’s lips. “Yeah, I do.”
