Chapter 10 - Lily

My shoes clicked on the pavement, squeaking embarrassingly as I walked through town. The sun beat down on my head. Please, please, don’t let me start sweating. I pulled out my phone to reread the morning’s private text conversation with Avett for what must’ve been the hundredth time that day.

Avett: Today is the day. Yogurtland on Washington, 1:00pm. Be there whether you have class or not

Lily: omg im so nervous

Avett: Don’t be.

Avett: Quick question, don’t ask it back. Your parents strict?

Lily: nope. mom’s too stressed about money to care much. my dad sucked and then was gone

Avett: Daddy issues. Love it!

Lily: lol

Avett: Wear that little schoolgirl outfit. It drives Adrian crazy.

I looked down to assess my outfit, again for the hundredth time. I was wearing a fitted tank top with a white cardigan, and thought I was pretty smart for putting on a sweater for once. Below was my pleated skirt and knee socks. My faux-leather Mary Janes were uncomfortable and didn’t get much use, hence the squeaking. My hair was braided into pigtails, which all of a sudden felt far too childish. I yanked out the hair bands, letting the sun-warmed stands fall in loose waves, wishing I had brought a brush.

I was drawing far too close to Yogurtland for comfort. For a moment, I was torn between speeding way up to make it on time and slowing way down to stall. I settled on continuing to walk at the same pace. Soon, I turned a corner and saw the storefront down the street. The boys were already seated at an outdoor table under the awning, eating yogurt. Avett had his back to me. Adrian was lounging in the lap of a man I could only assume was Clark.

My walking slowed as I tried to take him in from afar. He was gorgeous, there was no doubt about that. His brown hair, neatly combed, shone with copper highlights in the scattered sun. He looked like he just came from work, with a blazer draped across the back of his chair and the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up. His arms, which were protectively wrapped around Adrian’s waist, were stunningly sculpted. I swallowed hard and tried to adjust my clothes, as if pulling my shirt down a centimeter would somehow conceal the fact that I was a hot mess.

He looked up, catching my gaze through the lenses of his thin-rimmed glasses. The way his dark eyes lingered, studying me, made me feel like a specimen on display, just for a moment, until he broke eye contact and said something to the boys. Avett leapt out of his chair and whirled around to greet me as I approached the table, Adrian joining him in a goofy grin. “Lily!”

Avett gathered me into an awkward hug. I kept my arms at my sides, somehow nervous to touch him even though I really felt like I could use a good hug. He settled instead for draping his arm over my shoulders, nudging me closer to the table. “Lily, this is S—This is Clark,” he said, smirking. It was clear he didn’t usually call his Dom by his first name.

Clark shot him a look, then turned his gaze back to me. He leaned forward slightly, relinquishing one arm from Adrian to extend a handshake. I took it. His hand was warm, sturdy, and so big mine nearly disappeared inside. “Lily,” I squeaked, politely but unnecessarily. My hand fell back to my side, and I looked at the table.

“You may call me Clark,” he said.

I snuck a glance at Adrian. Sitting on Clark’s lap like a throne, he looked more at ease than I had ever seen him, like he didn’t have a single care in the world. He licked a single drop of melting yogurt off his spoon and gave me a small, reassuring smile.

Clark dipped his hand into his pocket and retrieved his wallet, which he handed to Avett. “Take Lily inside to get yogurt,” he instructed, never taking his eyes off me.

Avett grabbed me by the hand and tugged me inside the store, where it was cold and smelled like cleaning supplies. A bored employee, who looked like she easily could’ve been a student at our school, stood alone by the register. I became painfully aware that I was visible through the window and turned away from the glass. Avett was standing practically on top of me, his eyes traversing my body from top to bottom. “You look ravishing,” he said, his gaze ravenous.

I could only chuckle nervously. As if catching himself in a forbidden act, Avett shuffled backwards and locked his gaze on my face. “How do you feel?”

“Intimidated,” I admitted.

He smiled and rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, kid, you’ll get used to it.” He glanced at the self-serve yogurt machines. “What are ya having?”

I frowned, my appetite vanishing. “Um, I don’t know. I’m not very hungry, actually.”

“Wait here.” He squeezed my shoulder, then released me and crossed to the machines. He began to craft me a delicious-looking dessert of vanilla yogurt, fruit, and rainbow sprinkles. He paid for it with Clark’s credit card and then shoved it into my hand. “Come on,” he smiled, and guided me back outside.

“Ooh, that looks good,” Adrian said, eyeing Avett’s concoction enviously. His own yogurt was half-melted in its paper cup.

“Want some?” I asked, placing my cup on the table near him. “We can share it.”

“Don’t be silly,” Clark dismissed, pushing it away. “Adrian has his own. Here, baby.” he scooped up a bite of Adrian’s yogurt and fed it to him, tucking an untidy strand of dark hair behind the boy’s ear.

I wanted to protest, tell him I really didn’t mind sharing and that I truly wasn’t hungry anyway, but all I could do was stare. Clark looked up at me, then looked pointedly to the vacant chair next to Avett. “Sit down.”

Like that first day I met Avett, only a week ago, my legs reacted before my mind had a chance to catch up, and I dropped instantly into the cold metal chair.

Clark then glanced at my cup of frozen yogurt. “Eat,” he said.

I lifted my spoon and shoveled a bite of the creamy concoction into my mouth. It was delicious. Beside me, Avett let out a small snicker. I wanted to ask what was so funny, but my brain stubbornly wouldn’t let my mouth open to speak.

Clark looked content. He leaned back in his seat, continuing to absentmindedly fuss with Adrian’s hair as he studied me. To further avoid having to speak, I continued shoving yogurt into my mouth. “You have such beautiful hair, Lily,” he complimented.

“Thank you,” I said, but my mouth was so full it sounded more like “fang oo.” I got brain freeze and dropped my spoon into the cup, dejected.

He waited until I was finished chewing to speak again. “Adrian tells me you’re quite an avid reader,” he said. “What do you like to read?”

I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, racking my brain for an answer that would make me sound mature. “Um ... David Foster Wallace?” I said, the answer sounding more like a question than I would’ve liked.

He cocked his head, and then laughed. It wasn’t a cruel laugh: rather, it was a warm, gentle laugh that made me feel like I was in on the joke. I relaxed slightly. He said, “You’re telling me you sit around reading Infinite Jest in your free time? That book’s bigger than you are, sweets.” I couldn’t help but blush at the pet name. “Tell me, what do you read for fun?”

I swallowed. “Romance novels, mostly.”

That answer caused Avett and Adrian to erupt in a chorus of playful “ooooh’s”.

I blushed more. “Boys,” Clark said in an almost frightening, warning tone that made my heart skip two beats. The boys instantly quieted and busied themselves by eating yogurt. He turned to me again. “Fantastic answer,” he said with a smile, though his praise only made me blush the most.

I shifted awkwardly, feeling like it was my turn to ask him something. It was much cooler here in the shade, and I realized with horror that my nipples were hard. Shit, I thought, tugging my sweater closed. Why, oh why didn’t I wear a more supportive bra? Adrian quickly looked away as if he hadn’t just been staring at my chest. “Um, what do you like to read?” I asked.

If Clark had noticed my wardrobe malfunction, he didn’t show it. “I unfortunately don’t have as much time for reading as I’d like,” he said. “I have read my fair share of romance novels in my time, though.”

I couldn’t help but grin. I just couldn’t picture this brawny, put-together man sitting around reading Jane Austen.

“Where are you from?” He asked, stealing a lick of Adrian’s yogurt.

“Here.” I gestured vaguely around. “I’ve lived in this town my whole life.”

“How do you like school?” He certainly didn’t mind sounding like an interrogator, or at least an interviewer. It actually relaxed me, knowing I didn’t need to further overwhelm myself by asking questions back.

“It’s okay...” I said, trying not to lie by gushing about it being amazing or anything. “My classes this year are a lot harder than previous years, I think.”

“What’s your GPA?” Clark asked bluntly.

“Sir takes our education very seriously,” Avett piped up in a comically solemn tone. I could tell.

“Um ... Could be better,” I said, clearly avoiding the question. “But it’s still early in the semester. I think I have plenty of time to improve.” I exhaled, hoping that answer would suffice.

Clark nodded slowly, his expression unchanging. Adrian tugged at his sleeve, and he leaned forward to let Adrian whisper something into his ear. “Go ahead,” he said, scooting the chair back. Adrian hopped off his lap and shot me a shy smile as he passed by to go inside to the restroom.

Once Adrian was out of earshot, Avett nudged me with his elbow. “See, told you he would love it,” he said with a wink. “He was practically drooling when he saw you.”

Clark cleared his throat. “Avett. Care to share what you’re talking about?”

“I told Lily to wear her little schoolgirl skirt,” Avett announced proudly. “It’s Adrian’s favorite.” I felt my face burning red.

“I see.” Clark looked mildly amused. “And how do you feel about wearing what others tell you to, Lily?”

“Um...” I faltered. I couldn’t exactly say I didn’t like it, that would be a lie. And besides, I had obviously followed Avett’s instructions already; Clark could see that. Still, it was more than a little embarrassing to admit aloud that I enjoyed being bossed around. I let my eyes flutter closed for a moment. Think, Lily. This isn’t you. I wasn’t this trembling, cagey pushover. The boys had said Clark would like me for me, right? What would you say if it was just you and Avett?

I opened my eyes and looked directly at Clark. “Well, I wouldn’t want Avett to dress me every day, seeing as he has such horrendous taste, but I decided to humor him for today.” I dug my spoon into my yogurt and took another bite.

There was a pause, then Clark broke into tremendous laughter. “Hey!” Avett exclaimed, giving me a little shove. Success.

Clark’ laughter was infectious, and we couldn’t help but join in. “My fashion sense is just fine, thank you very much!” Avett said, shaking his head.

“You’re wearing embroidered denim,” I pointed out, gesturing to his shirt. “This isn’t the old wild west.”

“It’s vintage!” He argued.

“Is that another word for ‘ugly’?” I asked, eliciting even more laughter. For a moment, I actually did forget Clark was there as I comfortably bantered with Avett like always.

“What’s so funny?” Adrian asked, returning to the table.

“Lily just got done roasting the heck out of me,” Avett explained with a huff. “Want her to do you next?”

I gave an exaggerated gasp. “I would NEVER! Adrian is far too sweet to roast.”

“Aw, thank you Lily,” Adrian said, and wrapped his arms around me from behind for a quick hug. As always, he was warm, soft, and smelled so pleasantly of boy. “I think you’re really sweet, too.”