I look behind me to see a charming smile and gleaming amused eyes. I recognize him. He was with Vanessa and her family earlier.
“Leon.” He says to me, holding out his hand.
“Lily.” I say taking it and allowing him to grasp my fingers and raise my hand to his lips for a chaste kiss.
“A pleasure.” He responds still smiling in a way that gives me no choice but to smile back.
“Leon!” Vanessa snaps. “You’re publicly defending this woman, this outsider, over protecting your own sister?” The other woman’s voice drips with venom. The word “outsider” makes me roll my eyes. This isn’t a cult for heaven’s sake.
“Vanessa, don’t be so dramatic.” Leon says, his voice teasing, “You’re hardly engaging in a duel on the back lawn.”
Vanessa scoffs and rolls her eyes at her brother before turning
