Lilith’s POV
This last week of school wasn’t exactly going according to plan. I wasn’t sure if Caden had intended for us to sleep on the beach, but we did anyway, and as a result, I missed the start of my class. Even after he dropped me off, we ended up making out in his car for twenty minutes, and, honestly, I wasn’t even mad about it.
The pull he had over me was maddening. It was as if I were caught in his orbit, powerless to resist, and it was driving me insane.
I rushed through a shower and then made a beeline for the professor’s office, where I was met with a disapproving look. Thankfully, my near-perfect attendance record and my ability to charm just about anyone worked in my favor. With a resigned sigh, he gave me a quick five-minute rundown of what I’d missed and handed me a study guide for the final. Crisis averted.
Once home, I flopped onto the couch and grabbed my phone, which I hadn’t checked since yesterday afternoon. There were a few missed calls and texts waiting for me:
– A voicemail from that other relative of Caleb’s.
– A missed call from Mom.
– Texts from Dahlia and Briar.
**Lia:** *Still on for noon? I’m so excited! Thank you again for doing this.*
**Briar:** *Girrrrl, rumor has it you’re out on a date with Caden??*
That last one definitely got my attention. Without hesitation, I hit the call button.
RING. RING. RING.
“Hey, you little trollop,” Briar greeted me, her tone dripping with amusement. I could practically see the shit-eating grin on her face.
“Who told you I was doing what now?” I snapped, trying and failing to sound unbothered.
“More like *who* you were doing,” she teased, breaking into loud laughter.
Briar explained she’d run into Caleb at a diner popular with students. Apparently, since I’d dragged her to one of his games, he assumed I’d confided in her about my feelings for Caden. She assured me she’d played it cool and didn’t give anything away.
“He was at the Sloppies? Was he… there with anyone?” I asked, trying to sound casual as I fiddled with the hem of my shirt.
She laughed again. “Just the man-whores from the greenhouse,” she replied, unimpressed.
I was relieved she wasn’t into those types. Honestly, I wasn’t either-normally. Briar was way too good for them.
*You realize you just insulted US, right?* Rose scolded in my mind. I brushed her off with a mental shake of my head.
“But you’re going to spill about last night, right?” Briar pressed eagerly. “He told me Caden loves the Quay. I mean, who wouldn’t? I need all the details! This is better than a soap opera.”
I thought about inviting her along to my plans with Lia, but I knew better. My bubbly, happy-go-lucky rich girl would find out everything.
*Might as well tell her. I, for one, wouldn’t mind reliving it,* Rose mused dreamily.
My fingertips grazed my lips as I remembered waking up in Caden’s arms. His lips had been warm, insistent, and so ready for another kiss. Even though we’d woken up late and had a long drive back, we couldn’t help but roll around on that blanket, kissing like hormonal teenagers.
He was an amazing kisser, and the way he held me-it was almost selfless, as if the moment itself was enough for him. Like he didn’t expect anything more.
Everyone *always* expects more.
*That’s because they know you give more,* Rose chimed in smugly. I made a face.
“Reporter accidentally kills herself trying to piss off her annoying AF wolf,” I muttered aloud. “Maybe humans are right to avoid the violent creatures. Story at 11.”
“I don’t have dinner plans. Wanna come over? We could order in,” I offered, needing something low-key. Staying in meant avoiding the twins and giving myself room to breathe.
“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll text you when I’m done with my study group, probably around seven. Gotta run,” Briar replied before hanging up.
Before I knew it, I’d drifted off, only to be startled awake by Dahlia’s call saying she was outside. Throwing on a sundress, fixing my hair, and grabbing a granola bar, I dashed out the door.
After two hours of scouring racks for gowns, we were both thoroughly exhausted and still empty-handed. Dahlia, surprisingly, turned out to be fun company when she loosened up, and I felt a pang of guilt for not spending more time with her before.
*You don’t hang out with anyone you’re not trying to-* I cut Rose off with a loud hum in my head.
“But *these shoes*,” Dahlia gushed, holding up a pair of silver stilettos that screamed luxury and torture in equal measure. A peek at the price tag confirmed they were $600. She couldn’t stop staring at them, but falling for shoes with no dress in sight wasn’t the best idea.
“Are there any other high-end shops within an hour’s drive?” I asked, shifting my focus.
Dahlia paused, thinking it over, but my attention was stolen when I overheard the sales clerk greet someone.
“So nice to see both, Miss Ashfords. We’ll get you right in for your fitting.”
I turned sharply, my eyes landing on two girls who looked like a miniature version of none other than Sophia Ashford. My stomach flipped as I scrambled to my feet, a low whistle from a nearby guy grating on my nerves.
*Go say hi to our sisters! Ohh, they are so pretty,* Rose gushed.
The male started closing in on me, and every instinct screamed to tear him apart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw both pups slip into a fitting room just as the guy stepped into my space.
“It’s my great pleasure to meet you, Luna,” he said, dipping his head with a smug grin.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. The entire store probably heard him-he wasn’t exactly trying to be discreet. Dahlia was on her feet in an instant, stepping between us with an air of authority.
“Are you crazy?” she snapped, blocking my view of him.
I snorted, unimpressed, and leaned around her. I didn’t need Dahlia to fight my battles. Who the hell was this guy anyway?
Shoving past her, I grabbed his arm and dragged him into a secluded corner behind a large rack. He didn’t resist, though he looked startled. I gave him a once-over. He had a surfer-boy vibe: not much older than me, with a muscular build, sun-kissed skin, and casual clothes-just jeans and a well-worn t-shirt.
“If you value your balls being attached, you’ll explain yourself,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “And do it *quietly.*”
He took a cautious step back, raising his hands in a defensive gesture.
“I meant no harm, Lilith. My name is Liam Everhart. I’m supposed to be the twins’ Beta once you guys-”
I lunged forward, slapping a hand over his mouth.
“Not. *Here,*” I hissed.
He nodded quickly, and I released him.
“I didn’t realize it was a secret,” he murmured, glancing around nervously.
“It’s not a *secret,* exactly,” I said, gesturing vaguely with my hands. Then I stopped, planted them on my hips, and glared at him. “How the hell did you know what I look like?”
Liam pulled out his phone and scrolled for a moment before holding it up.
“Who do you think Caden trusted to set up last night’s date? He sent me this a while back and called me earlier to say thanks. Said it was the best night of his life.”
On the screen was a photo of me pulling a kissy face.
I pressed my lips into a tight line. It wasn’t that I hated the picture, but I’d thought it was a private moment-something personal.
*He’s just proud of us! He wants to show us off to his friends,* Rose said in my mind, attempting to soothe me.
Yeah, well, I wasn’t ready for that. I needed to survive this week first. With all the deadlines for my articles looming, Sunday was shaping up to be a nonstop writing frenzy.
*Our group date is Sunday! That’s more important,* Rose fussed.
Damn it!
“I hope it was a great night for you, too. I’ve never heard Caden so happy,” Liam said with an easy smile, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Honestly, it’s hard not to be jealous. I’m 24, but I love that the twins found you.”
His chocolate-brown eyes shone with sincerity, and his warm smile threw me off. It was hard to stay mad at someone who radiated such genuine kindness.
*Rose laughed.* *Didn’t stop you from being mean before.*
“Look, Liam,” I said with a sigh, “I’m sure you mean well, but I’m just not ready to be so public about this, okay? I’d really appreciate your discretion.”
I forced a bright, chipper smile, biting my tongue to keep from saying anything else. Hopefully, that was enough to get the point across.
The salesgirls’ voices rose in excitement as the two youngest Ashford emerged from the fitting room in a pale pink and blue ball gown. they both looked stunning-years older than before-and every eye in the room turned to both of them.
Dahlia wasted no time introducing herself, and within seconds, she and the girl were chatting like old friends. Apparently, the entire Ashford family was attending this event, which Dahlia was thrilled about.
*Fan-freaking-tastic.* Because I needed more pressure, right? I let out a hard breath.
When I glanced back at Liam, he was watching me intently, his expression unreadable. Time to change the subject. If I was good at one thing, it was pivoting in awkward situations.
“Say,” I began, flashing him a sweet smile, “since you’re a local, do you happen to know of any other dress shops like this in the area?”