Chapter 12

(LILY)

“Maltilda… wait. Why are you walking so fast?” I said, struggling to match her steps.

She was almost speed-walking, her back straight, shoulders tense, like she was angry or trying not to be. When she finally paused, I hurried to where she stood.

“What is it?” I asked softly. “Are you upset?”

I tilted my head to look at her face, and yes,she was angry. She took a deep breath, the kind people take when they’re forcing themselves to calm down.

“What was that with Rex?” she asked.

I knew it.

Of course it was about him.

She had given me a simple instruction,return his jacket and come straight back. No trouble. No conversations. But somehow, I still managed to get into trouble.

“It’s not what it looks like,” I said quickly.

“What is it then?” she asked sharply. “Talking about sex? How old are you again?”

“I’m an adult—” I cut in.

She scoffed.

“And so what? This isn’t Centervile. You shouldn’t be talking about things like that with the next in line, considering what you are—”

“What a