The FIRE in You

Chapter 44: Lily's new favorite

"Welcome to our home Ajax. How have you been? You look sharp", Lilian said with a huge smile totally forgetting I was standing right next to Ajax. She pulled him inside leaving me at the door with Jenkins.

I swear I heard Jenkins chuckle but when I turned he pretended to cough.

Snitch.

I went straight to Liam's home office. I found him on a call. It looked serious so I poured myself a drink and sat on one of the visitor chairs. I took my phone out and found a text.

Simone: Hey Aubrey, can we go out for lunch tomorrow?

Me: I have meetings all day.

Me: How about I ask Nico to check when I'm available and get back to you?

Simone: I know what you're doing.

Simone: Been long enough 😡

Simone: Meet me at Petìte

Simone: 1 pm sharp

Simone: You better be there or count yourself sisterless

Me: 😒 ok

Simone: See

Simone: Wasn't so hard now was it?

Simone: 🫶🏾🫶🏾

Me: 🙄

"She forgot you exist didn't she?", Liam asked with a knowing smile. "Yap! She's giving him a tour. The new favourite in town", I said making him laugh.

"How are you, my dear? Has he been treating you right? I can handle him for you. If you know what I mean", he said then wiggled his brows and it was my turn to laugh. "No Liam. That won't be necessary. He's amazing, I think I'm the one taking him for granted, to be honest. He lets me get away with everything", I said then sipped some whiskey. "What does he ask for in return?", he asked with a raised brow. "Honesty. Like if I don't want him anymore I should be out with it", I said and it looked like he wanted to know more.

"Fine! He dated this girl and she dumped him because being a firefighter was not a job that matched her status", i said making him smile. "She wanted a Lawrence?", he asked making me laugh. "Yes", I said making us burst out laughing. "I see and what about you? Does him being a firefighter bug you?", "Not the slightest, it does quite the opposite if you know what I mean", I said then wiggled my brows as he did. His eyes went wide and he started making fake vomit noises.

"You better not be killing my husband with a heart attack", Lilian said making me roll my eyes. "Oh so now you notice me", I said making her dismiss me with her hand. "Did you just shush me?", I asked and turned to Liam but he pretended not to see anything. It made Ajax laugh.

"As I was saying Ajax. This is Liam's vault. When locks himself in here, it is like the rest of the world doesn't exist. Honey, I invited these love birds for dinner. We haven't met since our last party. By the way, why did you invite Lawrence?", Lilian asked her husband who shrugged his shoulders. "Lily, you never let him near the invites", I chipped in making her hum.

"Fine, he must have slipped me somehow. Anyways, Ajax, let's go have dinner", she said and started leading him outside the office. "We're hungry too", Liam shouted but she was too deep in her conversation to pay him any mind. "I lost my wife to your boyfriend. Do you think it's the firefighter thing you said before?", he teased making me laugh. "Nah, she can't handle that... trust me. Even I have trouble keeping up with his stamina", my answer made him laugh even harder.

We found them talking at the dining table. After saying grace, she started pilling food on his plate and since he loved eating he kept accepting everything until Liam told her to stop. "I'm sorry, I just had this prepared especially for you and I want you to try everything", she said with a huge smile. "And I will. The spread is quite delightful. Thank you", Ajax said making her smile even bigger.

He devoured the food in seconds making Liam's jaw hit the table with shock. I just laughed. "Is he even human?", he asked me out loud earning a smack from Lilian. "Manners my love. Do you want more?", Lily asked Ajax who nodded.

He swallowed everything and when he was full he thanked Lilian and helped her take the used plates to the kitchen.

"Aubrey, he is your husband. Make sure he marries you. I mean it", she said when she came to collect more used bowls. "Shit! I'm too old to let you do it but Lily is never wrong. Should they get married at the new beach hotel? Simone said the photos and views were to die for when she brought her half-naked people for a photoshoot last week", Liam said making me roll my eyes at him. "Guys! Please stop, I don't want him to feel pressured", I said and he gestured to zip his mouth while Lily just laughed.

When Ajax and Lily were done doing whatever was making them laugh in the kitchen, they returned with drinks in their hands and sat on the dining table with us. "I must say, you have a lovely home Mr. Caddel", Ajax said respectfully. "It's Liam to you son. Thank you. I'm sorry for imposing this invitation on you. Our sweet Lily can be persistent sometimes", he said while looking at her. There was something about it that made me envy them.

"In a good way, I promise you. I love cooking so when I get a reason to I jump on it", she said then reached for his hand. "I like to cook as well. I get it from my Dad, he owns a diner and I've been shadowing him ever since I was little", Ajax said making me smile. "No way! We should go there sometime, what's it called?", Lilian asked making me chip in. "Feed n Drink. The first thing you should have is the ribs. They're to die for. No forks required", I said in a rush making Ajax laugh.

"Our anniversary is coming up and you just gave us a spot", she said then looked at Liam. "Anything for you my love. I like to get my hands dirty", he said with a wink making Lilian blush. "Guys! Not in front of Ajax!", I said feeling embarrassed. "Why not? You weren't shy about his stamina earlier", Liam said making me hide my face in the palm of my hands.

I heard Ajax laugh but I didn't dare look at him. "It's fine really, you should meet my parents. There hasn't been a PDA for as long as I can remember", he said finally making me look at him. He had a huge smile. "Tell that woman of yours, that a man showing you affection is romantic and territorial. I for one, love it!", she said then kissed Liam's knuckles.

I was about to find a comeback when Ajax's phone rang. It was Sam. "Yes? On my way", he said with a serious tone making me stand ready to leave. "I have to go to work. Thank you for a wonderful evening Lilian and Liam", he said then shook Liam's hand. "Call me Lily and you are always welcome my boy", Lilian said then pulled him in a hug.

I said my goodbyes and we rushed him to the station.