The Assassins Kiss

Chapter 36

Ezra's POV

The next morning rolls in quietly, the house still soaked in that sleepy calm only early hours bring.

I make my way down the hall, stopping outside Lily's door. A soft knock, then I let myself in.

She's by the window, knees hugged to her chest, bathed in the muted glow of cloudy sunlight. Her eyes don't leave the glass, but I know she hears me.

I cross the room and lower myself beside her, the silence sitting with us a moment.

"Hey," I start gently.

"Sorry about last night." She turns her head, meeting my eyes.

"I was actually trying to get to know him in the beginning," she says, and then her mouth curves into a small, guilty smile. "Then it turned into me trying to get on his nerves."

I chuckle softly, shaking my head. "You love getting on people's nerves."

She nudges my shoulder with hers. "It's the highlight of my life."

We fall into a warm silence, the kind that only exists between people who've seen each other's worst and still stuck around.

"Oh, and also—sorry about the whole last name thing," she says suddenly. "Didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's fine," I tell her. "Just caught me off guard."

She turns fully to face me now. "You know... you're like, the bestest mom ever."

My brow lifts. "Bestest?" I repeat.

"Yup. Bestest." She nods with mock seriousness.

"You need to go back to school."

"No, I think that's actually proper grammar." She grins wide.

I laugh. "Yeah, sure."

I glance out the window, the view peaceful, then back at her. "Well, you're the bestest daughter ever."

"Aww, stop it," she says, placing a hand over her heart. "You're gonna make me blush."

I shake my head with a smile. "Where did you even come from?"

Without missing a beat, she smirks. "Your vag—"

"Stop." I cut her off before she finishes, already half-laughing as she bursts out in full.

The door swings open—no, slams open.

"Ezra, I'm doing it," Roman declares, stepping in with chaotic energy.

Lily leans toward me, whispering, "What's he doing?"

"I have no clue," I whisper back.

Roman points directly at me. "You have to be there though."

"Be where? What are you talking about?" I ask.

"You know," he says with a shrug.

Lily and I exchange confused glances.

"I don't know," I tell him.

"It involves telling Killian something," Roman continues, giving me an exaggerated thumbs-up.

Then it clicks. "OHH." I stand abruptly.

"I'm confused," Lily says, rising with me.

"That's because you don't know what's going on," Roman replies matter-of-factly.

"So I'm the only one who doesn't know the secret?" she asks, feigning offense.

"Only two other people know," I reassure her.