Page 15 of Four Times Taken

"That's your Lily?" His eyes widened.

My Lily? I wished. Maybe if I could get in there during the reception, I'd stand a chance. I was counting down the minutes. Either way, I was excited just to reunite with her again and introduce her to the guys.

Besides, I didn't know if she was seeing anyone. Even worse if she was married. I hadn't gotten to sneak a peek at her ring finger to see if she was wearing any. Although, that would be the surprise of the century. Lily? Married? That man would have to be something special to get her to say yes to a commitment like that after everything she'd witnessed. He'd be the luckiest man in the world.

Man, I hoped she wasn't already taken, and I hadn't missed my chance.

Ethan

Do you know that moment when you feel like you've just committed the most unforgivable sin? I'm having that moment right now.

That's Eric's Lily?

Damn. I saw her the moment she walked in. She's not the type of girl anyone can ignore. I got it now. The way Eric described how she used to dress, trying to hide behind a shadow of darkness. Still, he noticed her. Like everyone else did. Even her bullies couldn't ignore her. She's a force, without having to utter a single word. She isn't timid. There's a silent storm brewing inside her, a fire in her eyes I recognize.

I didn't know why I'd been so pulled in by her from the get-go, but knowing she's Eric's Lily, it all made sense after everything he shared. We both had childhoods wrought with drugs and abuse. Mothers who couldn't be there for us the way we needed them to be, who chose drugs over us, whose trauma put up a wall between us we desperately wanted to break. It takes one to know one, I guess. It's like looking in a mirror, a recognition between strangers.

I'm so drawn to her, I've had it in the back of my mind, to attempt getting her number by the end of the night. Looks like that won't be happening anymore. Man, I'm the world's worst best friend. I should be happy Eric has the chance to pursue his first love again. Instead, there's a fire inside me, burning with jealousy.

It is what it is though. There are plenty of other women out there. None that have pulled me in the way she has without a single word, but it's not like I'm going to swoop in there and rob Eric of his reunion with her. What else can I do but support my best friend and swallow my loss? I won't lose my friendship over a brief attraction to someone who doesn't even know I exist.

"You should go and talk to her," I encouraged, smiling at him.

"What if she still hates me for leaving her?" he asked.

I scratched my brow. It's not like if she hates him, she'd automatically be interested in me, so my mind needs to behave. Besides, I don't want that for him. I love this man, as a brother, and he loves Lily. There's no shot for her and me in this lifetime, but I want there to be a chance for Eric.

"You guys were kids. I'm sure she's not holding a grudge for that long," I suggested. "You'll never know how she feels just by sitting here. I'm surprised you haven't talked to her yet."

"Yeah. I don't think she recognizes me." He grinned.

"Yeah, I bet you were a pimply, lanky kid back then," I teased.

"Hey, I wasn't pimply. But I guess you're right. I am a hunk now after all," he joked, flexing his bicep.

"Yeah, right." I nodded my sarcasm. He laughed.

"I'm just nervous. I don't want her to reject me. But you're right. There's only one way to know how she feels. I'll talk to her at the reception. Explain everything." He bit the corner of his lip.

"Atta boy." I patted him on my shoulder, throwing my own attraction to her out the window, where it belonged.

Chapter 10

Lily

My neck hurt from keeping it so damn straight for so long. I'm aware of Eric; pretending I'm not is a battle. As everyone headed toward the garden terrace for the reception, I thought up an excuse. I wouldn't be getting that photographer's number after all, but that's all right. I'm ready to go.

"Hey, Ann. I think I'm just going to head out now. You don't mind, do you?" I asked.

"Of course I do! What's the matter?" Her eyes widened, and her brows fell. She looked at me like a puppy as she took my hand in hers. I already regretted asking to leave.

"It's my mom," I stuttered. "I know how much work she can be, and I told them I'd be..." I rambled.

"You know what your problem is, Lily?" She shut me up. "You don't know how to take time for yourself. The shelter agreed to keep her. Video call them if you have to, and if everything's going to shit over there, then I won't keep you. But I'd really like you to stay."

Oof. How could I say no to that? I was being a little bitch, making her wedding about me and my discomfort. So what if Eric had popped up out of the blue? It didn't have a damn thing to do with me. "You're right." I smiled. "I'll just check in." Pulling my phone out, I tilted my head toward a corner.

She smiled and kissed my cheek before mingling with the other guests. My stomach turned at the sight of Eric and his friends laughing and drinking champagne as the small group of people surrounding them laughed at everything they said. I was more disgusted by the fact I wasn't disgusted at all, that the easy way in which he charmed people took me back to high school and how much I had admired him for it. What made it worse was I could easily be charmed by him again if I let myself be vulnerable. Fool me twice.

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