Free Treasured (Embracing Series Book 1) by Delisa Lynn Page B

leaving in ten hours and just wanted to hear my voice. I can’t stop smiling.
    As we hang up, I say, “I love you, Liam.”
    “I knew it! I love you more, though.”
    Finally, Addie calls and tells me she's worried and that she already knew about Nikki because Eric had told her. With excitement in her voice, she says she wants to come see us soon.
    After all my calls, I finally finish getting ready.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ~Chapter Nine~
     
     
    Lila
     
    I feel very uncomfortable being at this party. We don’t know anyone. Finally, we see Evan and Brody. Evan hugs me, which makes me feel even more awkward. I think he notices because he apologizes.
    “It’s okay, Evan.” I smile.
    “You look beautiful, darlin’.”
    I know he sees me blush. I want to yell, “I have a boyfriend,” but I just say “Thank you.”
    Nikki is all over Brody. I can't help but laugh at her.
    Brody and Evan seem like really nice guys. Me and Evan have a lot in common, which I think is great.
    Nikki says, “I’m going to walk outside with Brody. I’ll be fine.”
    I shoot her a what the fuck look. This bitch had better not leave me with these strangers.
    Evan and I talk and laugh before I realize that I haven’t seen Nikki or Brody in over an hour. Evan says he thinks they left. I text Nikki. She tells me I should go back to the dorms, that she's fine.
    I see a tall, auburn haired girl staring me down. I’m not sure why she’s looking at me like that. I smile at her and wave.
    Evan gives me a ride and wants to know if he can call me. I give him my number. I feel bad afterward. What if Liam isn't okay with it?
    I know he doesn't care if I have male friends, but, after what Ashton put me through, I don't want any secrets between Liam and me.
    I put my pajamas on and lie on my bed, thinking about everything that's going on. I look at the clock. It's two o’clock in the morning and Nik still hasn't ventured in.
     
    ***
     
    I hear Nikki walking in, so I get up and say, “Where the hell have you been, Nik?”
    She laughs and says, “I’m fine. Brody is a great guy.”
    “So great you had to spend the night with him?”
    “No, we sat at the café all night! We just talked. Then we went and got coffee this morning. I brought you a vanilla bean frappe with caramel drizzle just the way you like it.”
    She's lucky that’s my favorite.
    “Just because you brought me Starbucks doesn’t mean I’m not mad at you.” I try to hide my smile.
    “Oh L, he’s amazing. He's from Utah, and he's here studying to be a criminal lawyer. He comes from a great family and I think I want to know more about him. He and Evan have been friends just as long as we have.”
    “That’s great, but next time don’t make me worry about you all damn night,” I say, rolling my eyes.
    “Yes, ma’am, I won’t do it again,” she says, saluting me.
    “Okay, smart ass, just let me know when you'll be out all night.”
    I can’t stop laughing at her. She’s smiling from ear to ear.
    “I need to shower and go to sleep. I haven’t slept in almost two days,” she says.
    “I slept pretty well, other than worrying about your bitch ass.”
    “Oh, Lila, I’ll be fine.” She hugs me, then heads to the shower. My phone starts beeping. It’s a text from Evan.
    “Is that Liam?” Nikki yells from the other room.
    “No, actually it’s Evan.”
    “I knew he liked you!” she screams.
    “I kind of like him,” I say to myself, but am I wrong for hanging out with him? I’ll tell Liam as soon as I talk to him.
    I reply to Evan. Then he tells me he would like to take me to see the city.
     
    ***
     
    We go to this little café for brunch. We laugh and talk for an hour, then we go to Central Park, where we walk for hours. Evan is from a small city and is a country boy with big dreams. He plans on staying in New York and starting his own practice.
    He’s very open about his family and background. He tells me he's an only child and that his father is