lying to New York?
The phone call woke her up from her dream.
What was she doing?
Why was she hanging around like stale fish when this relationship was only ever going to be something transitory?
Was part of her really hoping that she might be the one that changed his mind?
The happiness drained out of her like air from an inflatable mattress.
She never should have come back here. She should have asked him to drop her at her flat and made her exit with dignity.
Taking advantage of the fact he was still on the phone, she grabbed her small bag and slid out of the car.
‘Thanks for the lift, Nik,’ she whispered. ‘See you soon.’
Except she knew she wouldn’t.
She wouldn’t see him ever again.
He turned his head and frowned. ‘Wait—’
‘Carry on with your call—I’ll grab a cab,’ she said hastily, and then proceeded to walk as fast as she could back up his drive in the baking heat.
Why did his drive have to be so long?
She told herself it was for the best. It wasn’t his fault that her feelings had changed, and his hadn’t. Their deal had been rebound sex without emotion. She was the one who’d brought emotion into it. And she’d take those emotions home with her, as she always did, and heal them herself.
Her eyes stung. She told herself it was because the sun was bright and scrabbled in her bag for sunglasses as a car came towards her down the drive. She recognised the sleek lines of the car that had driven her and Nik to the museum opening that night. It slowed down and Vassilis rolled down the window.
He took one look at her face and the suitcase and his mouth tightened. ‘It’s too hot to walk in this heat, kyria. Get in the car. I’ll take you home.’
Too choked to argue, Lily slid into the back of the car. The air conditioning cooled her heated skin and she tried not to think about the last time she’d been in this car.
She was about to give Vassilis the address of her apartment, when her phone beeped.
It was a text from Brittany.
Fell on site, broke my stupid wrist and knocked myself out. In hospital. Can you bring clothes?
Horrified, Lily leaned forward. ‘Vassilis, could you take me straight to the hospital please? It’s urgent.’
Without asking questions, he turned the car and drove fast in the direction of the hospital, glancing at her in his mirror.
‘Can I do anything?’
She gave him a watery smile and shook her head. At least worrying about Brittany gave her something else to think about. ‘You’re already doing it, thank you.’
‘Where do you want me to drop you?’
‘Emergency Department.’
‘Does the boss know you’re here?’
‘No. And he doesn’t need to.’ She was glad she’d kept the sunglasses on. ‘It was a bit of fun, Vassilis, that’s all.’ Impulsively she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you for the lift. You’re a sweetheart.’
Scarlet, he handed her a card. ‘My number. Call me when you’re ready for a lift home.’