Chapter 289
The car jerks and I grab the seatbelt instinctively.
“Hey! Careful,” I snap. “Baby on board p>
“Your what?” she demands, eyes flying wide.
I inhale dramatically and repeat, “My. Boyfriend p>
She stares at me like I’ve just announced I’m relocating to Mars permanently.
“You’re playing with me p>
“I’m not p>
“When did this happen?” she asks, still staring at the road but clearly not seeing it.
“A while ago,” I shrug.
“A while ago?” she screeches. “Define ‘a while ago,’ Sierra p>
I fight a grin. “About one and a half weeks ago p>
“A week She exhales sharply. “And you didn’t think to tell me p>
I wince. “He asked me the day before I got suspended. Then everything exploded, and I just forgot p>
She blinks at me slowly. “You forgot to tell me you got a boyfriend p>
“Yes p>
Silence falls over the car, and for a second I think she might actually be offended and then she lets out a shriek so loud I nearly lose my hearing.
“I cannot believe this day has finally come!” she yells. “You. With a boyfriend. Halle-freaking-lujah p>
“Jeez, stop exaggerating,” I mutter.
“I never thought I’d live to see it p>
“I dated before p>
“No, you didn’t.” She waves a dismissive hand. “You went through a hoe phase where you emotionally castrated men. This? This is different p>
I gasp. “That is highly offensive p>
“It’s highly accurate p>
I laugh despite myself. “You talk like you’re any better p>
“That’s because I haven’t found the one yet,” she smirks, eyes fixed on the road. “When I do, I’ll change and settle down. I promise p>
“Says every player in existence,” I snort.
She waves a dismissive hand. “Irrelevant. What matters is that you have a boyfriend. I’m so glad things are finally working out for you and Adrian p>
“Yeah,” I admit, smiling softly. “I haven’t felt this way in a long time p>
“I’m happy for you, babe,” she says, grinning from ear to ear. “And so far, I love that he makes you smile p>
“He does,” I say quietly, still a little stunned that I’m saying that about a man.
The last time I felt this light, this hopeful, was back in college. Back when I thought everything was finally falling into place for me and Noah.
“So,” Lilly says, glancing at me briefly, “when do I get to meet him p>
“Hopefully soon,” I reply. “Maybe when this whole Bio-Renew mess is over p>
She nods, satisfied, and keeps driving.
When we pull up to Mom’s house, we’re barely out of the car before the front door swings open and she rushes toward us.
She pulls me into a tight hug first, holding me a second longer than usual, then releases me and wraps Lilly in one.
“My favorite girls,” she says warmly before stepping back to look at Lilly properly. “I haven’t seen you in ages p>
“I know, Aunt Ivy, work has been a bitch” Lilly replies
“Language!” mom snaps, lightly smacking her on the shoulder.
Lilly throws her up in surrender, “Oh come on, Aunt Ivy. We are adults now p>
“Doesn’t matter” Mom says firmly “Now come in, I’ve made some snacks p>
Lilly immediately perks-up, “I’ve been deprived of your cooking, so you’re forgiven for hitting me p>
Mom laughs and ushers us in.
A few minutes later, we’re settled in the living room. Mom places glasses of lemonade on the coffee table.
I barely get comfortable before Lilly suddenly grabs my wrist so hard I yelp.
“What the hell?” I swat her hand away.
“Where did you get this p>
I look down at the bracelet Adrian gave me.
“Oh. That? Adrian got it for me for Valentine’s p>
Mom leans forward, curious. “It’s beautiful p>
Lilly’s eyes are wide, so wide they honestly look like saucers.
I stare at her, completely thrown. “What the hell has gotten into you p>
“How rich is this man?” she demands.
I blink. “How am I supposed to know that p>
Mom raises a brow. “Why are you asking p>
Lilly slowly turns my wrist, examining the bracelet like it’s evidence in a trial. “I saw this exact bracelet in a luxury campaign once,” she says carefully. “It’s pure diamonds p>
Mom leans closer. “How pure are we talking p>
Lilly replies. “We’re talking private-collection, invitation-only gala kind of pure. The kind you don’t just walk into a store and buy p>