Lila's POV
We headed back downstairs, Tobi insisting I stop at the café first to see Henry.“Little Lila, up and about? And don’t tell me showered too? No!” Henry exclaimed, putting a dramatic hand to his heart as he peeked around the espresso machine.“It wasn’t that long,” I said, rolling my eyes at him, though I couldn’t suppress a small smile.Henry walked out from behind the counter and wrapped me in a big, familiar hug. I leaned into it. His arms were warm, grounding. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt the tiniest spark of something good. Maybe not joy yet but comfort. It reminded me that despite everything, I still had a few people left on this earth who truly cared.“When Moira texted me saying Tobi finally got you to eat, we were all so relieved,” Henry said as he pulled away, giving my chin a gentle pinch. “You had us worried, little one.”The three of us sat down at the long wooden bench, the smell ofLila’s POV“Where did you get this car?” I asked as Tobi unlocked a silver Volkswagen Golf.“This morning. I said I had errands to run,” he replied, loading our bags into the boot.“So… you bought a car this morning?” I blinked at him as I got in and buckled up.“I didn’t buy it—it’s a hire car,” he said, merging out of the underground parking.“What happened to the other car?” I asked hesitantly.“I gave it to Oscar and Henry. Thought they’d get more use out of it than we would.”“Oh…” I said, surprised. He’d just… given away a car? “I’m sorry.”“For what?” Tobi glanced at me, puzzled.“You had to get rid of your car. Because of me.”“That was my parents’ car, and trust me they won’t miss it,” Tobi said with a laugh. “They probably don’t even remember they own it.”“Seriously?”“They have properties and apartments all over the world. You know just in case,” he added with a smirk. “They don’t manage those details themselves. My father has an advisory team. They handle the small stuff
Lila’s POVWe woke early the next morning, partly because I was eager to get on the road to Mauros, but also because Tobi said he had a few errands to run first. I decided a shower was definitely in order.The bathroom caught me off guard, it was nothing like the rest of the apartment. The living space was all warm neutrals, solid wood furniture, and low lighting. But the bathroom? Modern, sleek, and bright. Floor-to-ceiling white subway tiles gleamed under crisp lighting, and the rainfall showerhead felt like something out of a luxury hotel.I turned the taps until the water reached the perfect temperature, then stepped in. It was divine. I stood there for a few moments, letting the warmth soak into my skin before finally reaching for Tobi’s body wash. It smelled like cedar and spice warm, masculine, undeniably him.As I lathered up and moved down my legs, I noticed something: the scabs from that awful day were peeling away, revealing fresh, unsc
Lila’s POVWaving goodbye to Moira as we stepped into the late afternoon light, I felt strangely content. Tobi carried both our bags in one hand, the other laced gently with mine, never letting go as we walked back to his apartment. We chatted easily the whole way small stories about life in Lenweil, the odd things we’d each gotten up to while apart, laughing at ourselves and at each other.As we passed the grocers near his front door, Tobi slowed down, eyeing the display of fresh produce and handmade items lining the window.“We should probably grab a few things,” he said, tilting his head toward the store. “There’s literally nothing at the apartment.”“We could always eat out tonight,” I suggested.“Definitely. But what about the morning?”“Okay, maybe just a few bits,” I said with a grin.What looked like a tiny corner shop from the outside turned out to be deceptively large. Three narrow aisles stretched deep into t
Tobi’s POVLocking the door behind us, I turned to find her sitting on the bed, legs crossed, watching me. She looked like something from a dream soft caramel curls, flushed cheeks, and those stormy grey eyes that always managed to undo me. I caught the faint blush rising across her skin, and the shift in her scent told me exactly what she was feeling.Flowers and honey.That sweet, addictive scent of hers wrapped around me, pulling at something deep and primal. I didn’t stand a chance.I crossed the room in two strides and gently pushed her back onto the bed, claiming her lips with mine. She tasted like heat and longing, better than anything I’d ever known. My self-control frayed with every second I touched her. I wanted to take it slow, but Lila had other ideas. Her arms locked around my neck, legs wrapped around my waist, holding me there with surprising strength.“We came up here to talk,” I murmured against her mouth, forcing myself
Lila's POVWe headed back downstairs, Tobi insisting I stop at the café first to see Henry.“Little Lila, up and about? And don’t tell me showered too? No!” Henry exclaimed, putting a dramatic hand to his heart as he peeked around the espresso machine.“It wasn’t that long,” I said, rolling my eyes at him, though I couldn’t suppress a small smile.Henry walked out from behind the counter and wrapped me in a big, familiar hug. I leaned into it. His arms were warm, grounding. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt the tiniest spark of something good. Maybe not joy yet but comfort. It reminded me that despite everything, I still had a few people left on this earth who truly cared.“When Moira texted me saying Tobi finally got you to eat, we were all so relieved,” Henry said as he pulled away, giving my chin a gentle pinch. “You had us worried, little one.”The three of us sat down at the long wooden bench, the smell of
Tobi’s POVI showered as quickly as I could, though after sleeping rough for the past week, some deep cleaning was non-negotiable. When I finally stepped out and toweled off, I headed back into the main room expecting to see Lila curled up on the couch.She wasn’t there.A spike of panic shot through me. “Lila?” I called out, voice tight. No response.I inhaled deeply her scent still lingered, strong and warm. She hadn’t left.Crossing quickly to the bedroom, I found her there, curled beneath the blankets in a small ball, fast asleep. Relief poured through me like a wave, strong enough to knock the breath from my lungs.She was in my bed. My blankets. My space. The sight alone made my chest ache.But as much as I wanted to let her sleep, I knew she couldn’t drift forever. I needed to get her back to The Witches Hat before people started asking questions or worse, worrying.I dressed quickly in a pair of clean da