Lily was sitting on the couch in a satin baby blue robe just staring
at the far wall, ―How are you holding up?‖ He said setting the tea
down on the table in front of her before sitting beside her.
―I‘m still trying to absorb it all. It seems like a really bad
dream.‖
Luke put his arm around her and pulled her into his
embrace, ―its okay sis, we‘ll beat this.‖
She looked up at him, ―I think that‘s one of the stages of
grief—denial.‖
He chuckled and flicked a finger over the tip of her nose,
―Maybe, but we do have an advantage that a lot of people don‘t
have.‖
―What‘s that?‖
―Max.‖ That made her smile.
―You love him don‘t you sis?‖ he said seriously.
It took her a moment to respond, ―I think from the
moment I hit puberty.‖ She said releasing a small laugh. ―I‘m just
another woman in a long line of women to fall for him.‖ She
sighed taking a sip of her tea.
―Do you think that‘s how he sees you?‖
She shrugged a shoulder, ―I don‘t know—there are times I
think—maybe, then something happens and he withdraws.‖
Luke knew that was his fault. He made Max promise him
that he would give her time to grow up. Despite Max‘s love for
his little sister, he had shown an incredible amount of restraint.
He doubted he could do the same if it were him in that position.
―Did Max go home?‖
―No he‘s on the phone with the Doctor from the clinic.‖
―About the specialist?‖
―Yes.‖
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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
―Do you think he meant that—about funding a research
project on my prognosis?‖
―Definitely."
―Why?‖
He studied Lily‘s expression of puzzlement for a moment
to see if she even had a clue on how much Max cared for her, but
there was nothing. He felt guilty over that, because it was his
wishes that kept Max at a distance, and if this was a serious
illness that she had, she would never know how much Max really
cared. ―Do you even have the slightest idea on how much he
cares about you?‖
―Yes, he loves me like a little sister of his best friend. He
watched me grow up, he helped me with my homework, he was
there for me today—― she stopped because her eyes began to
water up remembering what he told the doctor.
―I suppose I should blame myself for you not knowing the
truth Lily. I‘ve asked Max to take it slow—―
―Slow?‖ she said blinking, ―Take what slow?‖
He turned to her with his expression serious, ―Max wasn‘t
saying he was your fiancé so he‘d have rights over your care,
which is what you‘re assuming. He really does want to marry
you.‖
Lily‘s mouth hung open, ―What—but he—I mean—―
―The only reason you aren‘t married to him now is
because I told him to stay back and allow you to grow up for a
few more years. As my friend he‘s respecting my wishes.‖
―You told him?‖
―He wanted to tell you when you were sixteen. Way too
young.‖
Lily just stared at him with a mixture of shock and anger
on her expression. Everything started making sense to her. He
didn‘t want to betray Luke and that‘s what kept him from making
love to her completely in Greece. Then there was his coolness,
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Lietha Wards
the guilt she thought she saw and his ever looming
possessiveness.
―Listen. Don‘t blame Max, I told him to wait at least until
you were twenty-four, but when Nikos showed interest, he near
went through the roof—―
She just gaped at him.
―He wanted to propose to you that day, I told him no, you
were too young. You walked in after the argument was over. He
finally conceded to a mock engagement. That ring he gave you
was one he bought when you were seventeen.‖
It was too much, she started weeping, ―You mean that
really was my ring?‖
―Yes, and you‘ll get it back, probably soon. I‘m leaving
you two alone. I think I messed up this relationship as much as I
possibly could. I realize now that I should have let Max tell you
how he felt all those years ago. It‘s funny how something like this
makes you really think.‖
―Oh Luke!‖ she threw her arms around him hugging him
tightly. ―You have no idea how you just made me feel! I needed
that! ― she pulled back and tried frowning but it was
unsuccessful, ―I‘m still mad at you though.‖
He grinned and kissed her cheek, ―I can handle that.‖
Just then Max came down the hall from the kitchen,
―Luke I—― he stopped when Lily got up from the sofa and
launched herself at him. He was startled but easily embraced
her, ―Wow, what‘s this for?‖ he said looking over her head at