“I don’t drink crap, Tony. I know you may not believe it, but I do have good taste,” she teased him and he laughed, filling the glass again.
“So what’s got you running from the house to a bar at two in the afternoon?” He asked and she shrugged. “Come on Lily, I told you to go easy.” Lily looked at him good and hard then held up her hand sticking her pinky finger out.
“I’ll talk if you pinky promise not to repeat a single word, idea, or concept of anything I tell you,” Lily told him and he laughed a little then gave her a serious nod, taking her pinky finger with his and shaking it.
“Pinky promise,” he told her, not hiding his smile very well and Lily returned it, feeling some of her frustration ease.
“Just things have been really crazy since I came back here. Introducing A. J., the anger from everyone, justified anger I know, the whole Silvano situation then….” She started then trailed off, not sure if she wanted to talk about this with Tony.
“Then what?” He asked lifting his glass to his lips and she sighed.
“I messed up Tony! I messed up royally,” Lily huffed, her anger at herself returning.
“What happened?” He asked, and then took a drink from his glass.
“I sort of kissed James last night,” She said, not looking at him. Suddenly she heard Tony choking and sputtering.
“You did what?” He asked, looking as shocked as she felt last night.
“I know,” she groaned leaning back in her chair. “Things were going good, Tony! He was mad at me, but we were getting along! Then last night I don’t know what happened, I really don’t! One moment we’re talking and the next thing I know I’m all over him!”
She ran her hands through her hair with frustration, giving it a little tug. “Ugh! That’s not a picture I wanted in my mind!” Tony complained with an exaggerated shiver and Lily gave him a pointed look. “Sorry Lily, I really am not that great at this. Have you guys talked about it?”
“No, we haven’t mentioned it since it happened. I’d rather just pretend it didn’t happen. I don’t know what’s going on Tony. Things are starting to get a little weird around him,” She confessed.
“Weird how?” He asked with a hesitant look on his face like he really didn’t want to know and Lily couldn’t help but laugh some. She explained to him about what happened when she touched him as well as the strange pull.
“I know you’re not going to like what I’m about to say and remember that I’m your dearly beloved brother,” Tony said then looked around the bar for anyone who might be listening and back at her. “What you’re saying sounds like the telltale signs we feel when we find our mates.” It was Lily’s turn to choke and sputter.
“What?” Lily exclaimed, causing a few people to turn and look at them. He leaned back, moving the glasses and the bottle with him too.
“I’m just saying,” He said, watching her as if she was a hungry tiger.
“Oh will you quit acting like I’m going to attack you or something,” she said exasperated, grabbing her glass and draining it.
“That’s what you’d usually do,” he replied and she sighed, rubbing her temples.
“James and I can’t be mates Tony. We just now are managing to be civil to one another,” she said in a defeated tone.
“Uh Lily can I ask you something,” Tony started and she looked up at him with a nod. “When was the last time you went out and just had some fun?” Lily looked at him confused. That was the last thing she had expected him to ask her.
“I… I don’t know,” she replied honestly.
“Come on,” Tony said getting up. “Instead of getting wasted how about we go have some real fun,” he told her holding out his hand.
“Uh… okay,” Lily said, paying the bartender before following Tony out the bar. “What exactly do you have in mind?” She asked as she leaned against her car.
“Anything we can fit in till sunset,” Tony said with a wide grin. “I got a good idea where to start first!” Lily was surprised to see the eager look on his face as he got in his jeep. She quickly got into hers feeling a little excited. To her surprise, Tony drove to the west side of town, nearly leaving the town completely. Instead of just abandoned fields like there used to be Lily gawked at the large outdoors park before her.