Lily |18+ [Paraíso, #1]

sixteen

|J A K E|

Laughter.

I've missed the sound of it. More so from one of the people I love most in this world.

I was busy going through my agenda for the day: finishing up a custom ordered furniture piece of one of my clients when Liz showed up at my doorstep.

Not many things manage to light up my day but the sight of my adopted sister always makes it to the top of that short list. Well, she's David's ward more than anything but we've always regarded her as part of the family.

"I still think this one tops all the others." Liz holds up a muffin from her set. We've just finished making a muffin batch for Stephanie's community drive being held later in the day.

Liz made hers perfectly but mine. . . I think it's safe to say that bakery doesn't fall in my area of expertise.

"That's because you made them and they all taste like shit."

"That's not true!" She laughs. "You're just jealous because you let yours burn up."

"Shut up." I pinch her nose. "Does David know you're in town?"

A pause.

Just like that, the joyful mood is ruined.

"Jesus Christ, Liz. You know he'll blow a gasket over this."

The rules were pretty simple when it came to Liz according to David.

She must stay away from Northlake as much as possible. He claims that she's safer if she doesn't get caught up in all the fuckery going on in this town but I know better. It has something to do with Liz's real family.

David's evasive whenever the subject gets brought up and he's made it clear that everyone should fuck off if curiosity manages to get the best of us.

"I was going to tell him. Eventually," she says. "It's just. . . he's so stuck-up whenever I come over. Like he doesn't want me to ever step a foot in this town."

"That's not true."

"It so is, and you know it."

I'm not admitting shit. That's David's problem and I'd much rather stay out of his issues with Liz.

"Call him. Right now."

"I will. Jeez, calm down." She bites into a muffin. "How's grandpa?"

Another thing I agree with David on regarding Liz staying away from Northlake. She's too attached to our grandfather and the old man happens to share the same sentiment. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't dote on his only granddaughter whenever she comes for a visit.

It's all a recipe for a huge disaster. With three older brothers who'd do anything for her and an even generous grandfather, Liz may be the perfect embodiment of a spoilt brat.

"I'll never understand your fixation with that man."

"You don't need to. All you need to know is that I'll handle David and that I may be crashing at your house for a few days."

"I don't get a say in this?"

"No, you don't get a say in it." She laughs. "I'm just kidding. Of course you get a say but I know you can't turn down my adorable little face."

"One day." I hold up my forefinger.

"Okay. One week it is, then." She hops off the counter and makes her way upstairs.

"I never said one week!" I call after her but she's already bundling up the stairs.

I'm contemplating how to start cleaning the counter when the doorbell rings.