Page 10 of From the Moment We Met

“I’m so sorry Lilly, my phone is never this crazy.” Jacob’s hand touched her arm and Lilly jumped. “Are you okay?”

“You startled me.” Lilly looked up, offering a small smile. “Shall I continue?”

“Please.”

She tried to ignore his sudden laser focus on her, or the fact that his hand still rested on her arm, moving in almost imperceptible circles. “I know I bombarded you with a ton of information, but do you have any questions for me at this point?”

Jacob blinked, digesting the information. “It sounds so complicated, but it also sounds like you’ve done this a few times before.”

“More than a few. Here’s my best advice, it’s terrifying because it’s unfamiliar. But if I don’t look worried, you don’t need to worry.”

Jacob smiled and thanked her as his phone rang for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. He silenced it, sliding it into his pocket.

Lilly straightened, her expression turning somber. “You know—never mind.”

“No, please; what were you going to say?”

Lilly bit her lip. “Janie will need help when she gets out of the hospital. She’ll need people she can depend on to assist with her recovery.”

“I’ll hire the best help in London—maids, nurses—whatever she needs.”

“That’s all well and good, but she really needs her family during her recuperation. She’ll need you to be present and I noticed you couldn't stay in a conversation two minutes without your phone going off—”

Jacob leaned forward, his hand tightening on her arm. “Those were important phone calls—”

“I’m sure they were, but isn’t your sister far more important than anyone on the end of that line? This is her health we’re discussing; she’s undergone a very serious surgery, and I want you to understand the gravity of her recovery period.” Lilly's voice was gentle but firm as she held his gaze, unrelenting. She couldn’t believe she spoke to him in such a forward manner, but he needed to stay in the present moment.

Jacob scoffed, shaking his head. “Another one, trying to demean me because my priorities aren’t what you think they should be. I guess Audrey got to you, after all. I suppose you think I’m nothing more than a washed-up playboy, right?”

Lilly sat back, flabbergasted by Jacob's sudden anger. “I don’t think that at all, I don’t know you. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, I just—”

"Of course you didn’t. No one ever does when they're cutting you down."

"I know you love your sister and I want to ensure she gets the best care possible—"

His eyes flashed daggers in her direction. "Isn't that your job, Lilly? Why don't you focus on what you're supposed to be doing instead of my life?"

Lilly clenched her fists under the table. He was a genuine asshole. "My job is to protect and care for Janie during the duration of her hospital stay. Once she’s discharged, she’ll need help from her family. I don't understand—"

“No, you don’t understand! You don’t have a clue how it feels to have the world watching your every move, writing about everything you do. Going to the market shouldn’t be an event, but when you’re me, it becomes one. So, until you have any concept of what my life looks like, you should stick to things you understand.”

That was enough verbal abuse for one day. Lilly stood, throwing her coffee cup into the garbage. “Well, you’ve got me there; I don’t have any idea what it’s like to be you. I do know when you’re lucky enough to have a family that loves you, you ought to love them back. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get Janie’s room ready for her arrival.”

Lilly exited the doctor’s lounge, her heart racing and fists clenched. What a pompous ass!

“Have you met our VIP’s brother yet?” Sabina inquired as she passed the nurses station, the smile fading when she noticed Lilly’s expression.

“You mean the most pretentious prick I’ve ever had the displeasure of dealing with? Yes, I’ve met Jacob Edmonton, and he’s a full-fledged asshole.” With a final huff, Lilly stomped into the clean utility room.

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