COSMOS | E. SMITH ROWE

• 23 •

Lily's sitting on top of the counter with her knee supporting her ankle. There's no one in the shop at the moment and Emile had asked her if he could see the tattoo from close by.

So now he standing in front of her, while tracing the fine lines with his finger. "It's beautiful," he whispers and his brown eyes find hers.

Lily slightly blushes when she can feel his breath on her lips, from how close he's standing to her.

Ever since he started helping her out in the shop on his free time, something changed within her when it comes to Emile. She doesn't know what exactly yet, but she can feel it.

A jingle can be heard through the shop. Lily immediatly jumps of the counter. Emile steadies her a little bit and she offers him a soft smile, which he returns.

"Wow looks like you didn't wait at all," a very familiar voice says.

Lily can feel her blood start to boil when she hears those words. "Did you really think I was just going to sit here waiting for you and watch how you shove your tongue down other people's throat?"

"I'm sorry about that love," Thomas tries to step closer to her, but she puts her arm in front of her to keep him at a distance.

"Don't call me that, you lost every right the moment you let that other girl touch you," she says.

"Lily," he pleads. "Please forgive me. It was a mistake, I soon realised that you're it for me."

Lily lets out a little snort. "Well you should've realised it sooner, because you're not it anymore for me."

At that exact moment Mason decides it's a great idea to pay a visit to Lily's shop. Tomorrow is his mother's birthday and maybe while he's buying some flowers, he can get Lily to join him to watch a movie.

"Hello Lilian!" Mason greets her while walking into the shop. "Your favourite lad in the world has arrived."

Lily internally groans at the arrival of the other guy. Mason immediatly stops walking when he spots the scene front of him. He can feel the tension in the air.

"Really Lily? You're mad at me?" Thomas questions. "You're the one entertaining two lads at the same time. Didn't know you're such a slut."

Emile tenses beside her and takes a step forward to punch the guy in the face, but he's too late as Mason has reached the lad first.

"What did you call her?" Mason grits through his teeth. "I'll have you know that Lilian is no such thing. I've been trying to get her to go out with me, but she refused because she's still too hung up on you." Mason pulls Thomas up by the collar of his shirt. "So don't you dare call her that ever again."

Lily walks towards the two boys and pushes them away from each other. "Please stop, no fighting in my shop," she says distressed. "Thomas leave now and don't ever come back, you twat."

"Wasn't planning to," Thomas whispers and leaves the shop.

When he's out the door, Lily turns towards Mason. "Mase, you didn't have to do that. I was handling it on my own." She takes his hands, who are still formed into fists, in hers and slowly unfolds them.

Emile watches the pair and turns his head to the ground devastated. He knows that Bukayo said that she might like him back, but seeing her with Mason, has him doubting that.

•••

• NOTE •

Sad Emile in this story, but happy Emile in real life!
I already had a feeling someone would drop out and Emile would get his first call-up instead. I'm so happy for him!