Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

"Terence, drive safe,"

Terence got out of the car and opened the trunk. He took out a small box and handed it to her.

"I heard that the stones from Crownridge Peak are said to ward off bad luck. I picked up...two of them along the way, one for you and one for Maryanne."

Lily had heard that superstition before, though she didn't quite believe in it.

Still, the thoughtfulness behind Terence's gesture touched her, and she took the small box with a grateful smile.

"Tha-"

"I told you, don't be so formal with me," he interrupted.

As he stood by the car, Terence's short hair ruffled in the breeze. The light from the street lamps was reflected in his obsidian-like eyes.

Thanks to Maryanne, Lily knew she would be spending more time around Terence, and being overly formal would only make things more awkward. "Alright then. Be safe on your way home." She stepped back to stand on the steps and make way, but her foot caught on something

stumbled backward and

with one arm around her waist and the other holding

spun around her, and she found herself in the warmth of

and even the

her thoughts before the fear in her eyes slowly faded away. "You okay?" Terence gently released

from the scare, Lily didn't notice how close they had just been. "I'm fine, but thanks

at her reaction. He asked, "So,

the playful atmosphere was a welcome

Rarely, Lily bantered back.

need in the future, just

they were the only two people standing under the glow of the street

couple lingering after a date, reluctant to

scene was captured by Timothy's man, who was hiding in the shadows.

her way inside the building after

returned to his car after casting one last glance at Lily's windows. When he saw that her lights were

the neighborhood, he noticed a shadowy figure lurking near the bushes. The figure was snapping

dim interior of his car, Terence's eyes narrowed as

man had only taken pictures before leaving, Terence

and