Taming Lily (The Fowler Sisters #3)(61)

“She’s being terribly vague,” Violet tells Rose, the two of them settling their skeptical gazes right on me. I feel pinned in place by the way they examine me. How could I forget that my sisters are so nosy? “Makes me wonder if something else happened while she was on Maui.”

“I stayed out of trouble, just like I promised,” I say, throwing up my hand in a Girl Scout pledge. “Didn’t really drink much. No partying, either.” That was sort of true, so I don’t feel like a complete liar.

“Well, the media certainly quieted down once you disappeared. I think they’ve moved on to the next troublemaker,” Rose reassures me, her expression solemn. “That’s a good thing, I suppose.”

“Definitely,” I say. Relief floods me. Arriving at JFK yesterday, I’d disguised myself as best I could. Hair up in a sloppy topknot, giant sunglasses on, boring, everyday clothes, as in matching black sweats and a hoodie I picked up from Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line. I wanted to fit in and look like every other woman my age on that plane and I succeeded. There were no paparazzi waiting, no cameras flashing in my face.

“I don’t think they realize I’m back,” I say.

“And you should keep it that way,” Violet says firmly. “You don’t want to make Daddy angry or give us any bad publicity. He was mad that you just disappeared, you know. He was worried, too. Though I think he’s over it, now that he knows you’re safe.”

“In my dreams he’s over it,” I mutter, making them both laugh. But I can certainly hope that’s the case. “Are you guys ready to go to lunch? I’m starved.”

Both Violet and Rose frown at my abrupt change of subject. “You are coming back with us to the meeting after we have lunch though, right?” Rose asks with a puzzled frown.

“No way. I don’t belong there.” I shake my head. I don’t want any sort of confrontation with Pilar, especially on her turf. I may own a piece of this company, but she’s worked here for years and feels like Fleur is hers. She’d tear me apart.

“We’re talking about the perfumes and testing the sample scents, and you’re an integral part of that, Lily,” Violet explains. “Ryder is sitting in on the meeting since this was his idea from the get-go. Pilar’s not involved, so she won’t be there. This is our project. Ryder and I were both upfront from the beginning that Pilar plays no part in this project ever. Father understands how important it is to us and no one else.” Violet smiles softly. “So don’t worry about her.”

“Ugh. So glad that bitch isn’t involved. I wouldn’t go to the meeting either if she were there.” Leave it to plainspoken Rose to lay it all out. “God, I hate her so much.”

She’s insidious, Pilar. Like a bad disease that lies in wait inside your body, poised to attack. Or a weed that grows in a lush garden, taking over and choking the beautiful flowers out until all that remains is the nasty, ugly weed that no one wants.

The phone on Violet’s desk rings and she goes to answer it, giving a few noncommittal replies until she ends the conversation with a clipped, “We’ll discuss it during the meeting,” before she hangs up and turns toward us. “Father asked if you were attending, Lily. He wants you there. I think it’s in your best interest that you show up. Though I must warn you, everything we discuss this afternoon is top secret. No one knows about the project and Father doesn’t want anything to leak.”

Dread consumes me and I stand, smoothing the skirt of my dress with trembling hands. “I don’t want to go to the meeting,” I blurt out, wanting them to know. Needing their support.

Rose turns to me, surprise written all over her face. “Why? It’s no big deal, Lily. We’re just offering our opinion on the scents. How hard can it be?”

“But Daddy will be there. Having to face him … makes me nervous.” Tears prick the corners of my eyes and I will them away. I refuse to fall apart. Not now, not before I see him and he can pick at my weaknesses.

I’m vulnerable enough, after what happened with Max. I’ve never felt so unloved, so unwanted, as I do at this very moment.

Which is so incredibly stupid, because I’m surrounded by love and support in the form of the two most important people in my world.

My sisters.

“He’ll get over it.” Violet grabs hold of my hand and squeezes it. “Just go in there and be yourself. The real you, Lily. Not the party girl who doesn’t care what anyone thinks as long as she’s having a good time.”

Her words make the air stall in my throat. Leave it to my sister to see right through me.

“You’ve got it in you,” Violet continues. “You’re smart. You know fashion and cosmetics and you’re always on trend. You’ll know exactly how to pick out the perfect scent that’ll represent your name. I believe in you. We all believe in you. You just need to learn how to believe in yourself.” She gives my hand a little shake before she lets go.

“Yeah. Don’t worry.” Rose comes to stand on the other side of me. “If Daddy gives you any trouble I’ll just tell him to f*ck off.”

We all start to laugh. “Definitely don’t do that,” Violet says, pointing a stern finger at Rose.

“Thanks, you two,” I say, grabbing their hands and pulling them close to me. “I needed the pep talk. I’m not as comfortable here at Fleur as you are.”