She went to the other side of the island and glared at me. “You’re talking to Julian Fletcher? Why?”
“I’m just doing some business with him. Nothing serious,” I assured her.
“Thane Erickson. You can’t possibly think doing business with the likes of Julian Fletcher is a good idea in any way, shape, or form.”
Oh boy! Here it comes. Is it possible she didn’t hear the part about Darcy? She seemed more focused on Julian.
“It’s nothing, really. Don’t worry about it.” I smiled warmly at Lila, hoping to soften her next blow.
“You’re sleeping with Darcy?” Her voice was low and very unlike her. She looked up at me questioningly.
“Yes. But sis, you can’t let on to Darcy that I told you that,” I warned her.
“Why? Because she might kick my ass all the way from Miami to some planet we’ve never heard of?” Her eyes locked on mine, and I was doomed.
Shit. She’d heard everything.
“It wasn’t me who said that,” I reminded her carefully. “And I’m pretty sure it would be my ass she would kick.”
“Why should I stop her?” Lila asked, still keeping her eyes locked with mine.
“Dammit, Lila. I’m in a lot of turmoil over this situation with her.” I thought I’d try the emotional way. Surely, that would stop her from murdering me.
This seemed to cool her down a bit. I relaxed my shoulders and breathed in deeply, expelling the air slowly.
“How did I not know this was going on between you two? I wonder why she didn’t tell me?” Lila considered out loud.
“We weren’t exactly advertising it. We felt it might be a little weird for everyone. Besides, we have no idea where this thing is going, so until we’re sure, we thought we’d keep quiet about it.” It wasn’t exactly true. Darcy and I had never discussed our sexual encounters becoming athing.It was supposed to be a onetime thing, like in the contract I’d wanted her to sign.
Now that she knew, I had to try and change the subject. “What did you want to see me about?”
Lila shook her head and said, “I wanted to know if you’d help out with our painting party this afternoon. Cookies will be included. Maybe even some beers and dinner.”
“Sure. I can be right over,” I told her, happy that she seemed to be leaving the topic of Darcy and I alone.
Lila walked to the front door and looked over her shoulder. “I’m not done with you yet,” she informed me.
I shrugged. “I figured. See you in half an hour?”
She nodded, preoccupied.
* * *
Darcy
“I think I’ve got everything all set up. Thanks, Evan, Lyle, and Regan, for helping. This should be quick with all of us helping,” Remi said.
Everyone had their place. Evan and Regan had painted the ceiling white a few days prior, and Remi and Shellene had already applied the painter’s tape to all the edges.
I was in charge of doing all the defined work because I had the steadiest hands out of all of us. It was so nice that Thane wasn’t here ruining everything, so I could relax and enjoy making this memory with friends.
“I brought coffees to go with our cookies,” Thane said as he entered the room.
Fuck me.I spun around to see Thane grinning. My heart dropped. The last thing I needed was to see him. Who invited him anyway? I looked over at Lila.I bet she’s the culprit.I couldn’t be mad at her, what with her being pregnant and everything. I could never be mad at Lila anyway. I turned my back to him and started painting around the window.
Thane came over to hand me my coffee. “Black and bitter, just like your heart,” Thane said.
I glared at him but took the coffee. I really needed it. “Thanks.”