Lily awoke with a groan, moaning as sunlight flittered through the open window. He knew she was going to long for the sound and smell of rain. Her head started to pound, as she remembered the copious amount of alcohol that Nadia and she indulged last night.

When Nadia returned home, she woke Lily from her napping. They hugged, cried a bit, and then, as any family reunion goes, no matter how small, they started drinking. Nadia told her what she was up to the past years, and told her that her asshole ex boyfriend, Eric Deeds, still haunted her from time to time. Lily even got to meet him over Skype while his and Nadia's relationship flourished. Before the appalling crime that he did, Lily even thought he was handsome. But now she hated him from the depths of her soul. She learned that the adorable pit bull, whose name she learned is Rocco, wasn't hers, but of her friend Bob. It made Lily a bit sad, as she hoped that Rocco would be a permanent fixture in Nadia's apartment. She only had to watch over the dog while this Bob guy was out of time for some family business. -He is back today.- Nadia said. So, Lily and Nadia agreed to go to the bar where Bob worked tonight, to give Rocco back to him.

-Wakey, wakey!- Nadia yelled at the top of her lungs when she barged in Lily's room. Lily groaned and put her head under the pillow. -Go away- she croaked, her throat sore from all the singing and laughing last night. -Come on.- Nadia whined. -Breakfast is on the table.- Nadia smirked as she knew that it would wake me up. The most beautiful smell of bacon and eggs fluttered in Lily's room and she streched on the bed. -And after you can go walk Rocco, because I have to be at the store. By boss called me an hour ago.- Nadia sighed. Lily smiled at the thought of Rocco. The little fur ball really got under her skin in this short amount of time and it saddened her to part with him tonight.

After they ate breakfast, Nadia left to go to work and Lily went to take a shower. Hot water cascaded down her body and scent of her favorite shower gel invaded her nostrils. The first time she got it, it was supposed to be a gag gift, as it was called Lily of the Valley. But Lily loved it so much, so since then she always used it. Dressing in her comfy grey sweater and thick leggings, she walked out of the door, Rocco bouncing on the leash beside her. -Let's go sweets.- Lily called to Rocco, and they walked slowly. -You lead the way. I don't know where to go.- She stopped herself before someone heard her talking to the dog. It was far too early for people in the neighborhood to think she was insane. The dog continued to bounce in front of Lily and she looked left and right. All houses looked really the same and Lily frowned as she realized that it would take her some time to get used to it. She was living in the center of London, so she knew it would took her some time to grow accustomed on the quiet suburbs.

It appeared that Rocco led her to the empty park, and Lily thanked God that it was early morning, because she didn't know how she would survive it if it was night. She sat on the freezing wooden bench as she watched Rocco play and run around. She sighed, massaging her temples. She didn't want to think about London, about her family. She didn't even want to think what she would cook for lunch today.

-Who are you?- She heard a raspy voice behind her.

It took her by surprise and she whipped around to see a tall, brawny man standing behind her. -Um.. What?- She looked strangely at him, not knowing what to say. The man knitted his brows at her, glancing at Rocco across the park. -You have my dog.- he said, again locking his steel blue eyes with her brown ones. Lily frowned, thinking what he just said.

-Oh. Oh!- She exclaimed, suddenly standing and swaying a bit. She would have fallen on her ass and embarrass herself further, but strong hands gripped her upper arms to steady her. Her cheeks reddened, and she fatuously smiled at the handsome man. Talk about bad first impressions. -You must be Bob.- She exclaimed and she offered her hand for him to shake. He took her small, soft hand in his huge, calloused one and slowly shook her hand up and down. -Bob.- he simply said, and Lily realized that he was a man of few words, or he was royally pissed at her.

-Okay, so, Bob.- She addressed him. She could swear that she saw the corner of her lip turn up, but she could be imagining it. Lily thought that it would be lovely to see him smile. What could she do, handsome men made her silly. -I'm Nadia's cousin. And I took Rocco for a walk because Nadia had to go to work. I'm not a puppy kidnapper or anything.- She said, talking fast. -We were going to bring him to you at the bar tonight. But since you're here, I guess you are taking him now, unfortunately.- Lily finished, frowning as she realized that Rocco wouldn't snuggle in her arms anymore. -Unfortunately?- Bob queried.

She looked up at him, realizing that he towered over her short stature. She blushed in spite of herself, biting the inside of her cheek. -Well, yes. I mean, did you see your puppy?- Lily exclaimed. Now, this time he definitely did smile and Lily thought that he didn't do it very often. His face seemed to be in a constant serious expression. -I didn't know that Nadia had a family.- Bob commented, still looking down at Lily. She frowned as she thought about Nadia. Maybe she lived as a recluse since all that stuff with Deeds. It made her sad as she thought about her outgoing cousin holed up inside her apartment, scared to go outside. But she shook herself off her reverie. -What did you think? That the stork left her under her parents pillow?- Lily snorted. Bob chuckled and his eyes sparkled. Could he be more handsome? She felt some sort of relief when she saw his slightly crooked teeth. The fit him perfectly. And his nose seemed like it was broken a couple of times, but healed perfectly. She could spend hours just looking at him, that's how hot he was.

When she realized that she was staring, she shook herself and she started to say something, anything to get rid of the tension she wasn't sure was only in her head. -You can have him until tonight.- Bob approved, his hands in his pockets. Lily smiled wide and if she didn't have self restraint she would have definitely hugged him. -Really?- He nodded, his smile and his serious expression somehow meddling together to mold into some unfathomable expression. -Okay, then.- She nodded as he already started retreating, turning his back to her. -See you tonight!- She called after him. He turned his head around, locking once again his eyes with hers.

A nod, hint of a smirk and Lily was a goner already.