Chapter 26
Lila’s days passed in a quiet blur. He kept to his room and hated the way his heart quickened whenever he heard steps in the hall outside his door. He would be sitting at his vanity, brushing out his long hair, and his hand would freeze in mid-stroke as he stopped to listen to the footsteps, hoping, praying…
But whoever it might be never stopped at his door. The flowers Tommy had brought him were wilting in their vase on the nightstand, but Lila refused to throw them away. As he dressed for the evening, he’d stop to smell the faded scent, and when it was gone completely, he sprinkled his own rosewater onto the petals to keep them fresh.
Tuesday evening, Lila stayed in his room longer than usual, waiting until the other girls had descended into the saloon before he trailed in
