Page 83 of From the Moment We Met

“Some excellent ideas, young lady. If you have plans to back up these dreams, we would be interested in perusing them.” The gentleman toasted Lilly, their glasses clinking.

Lilly beamed. “I would be so grateful to get your thoughts on our long-term plans; perhaps you can identify areas of improvement.”

“I believe as long as you have such powerful allies, your charity will do quite well.” The gentleman's wife gazed at her, her eyes crinkling.

Lilly’s brow furrowed, but the woman nodded, and Lilly followed her gaze to where Jacob was dazzling a group of women; their laughter rising like smoke above the crowd.

“Jacob’s a remarkable help for our charity, and he’s very charming.”

“He is indeed charming, and handsome. And it’s apparent he only has eyes for one woman.”

Her heart beat wildly, but Lilly maintained a calm façade. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

The woman chuckled, patting Lilly’s arm. “Dear, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean. He’s quite enamored with you.”

Lilly laughed off the comment. She desperately wanted to be Jacob’s someone, but she read the magazine articles and saw the photographs—it appeared Victoria was still firmly entrenched in his heart.

“Jacob and I are just friends. He’s like that with everyone. When you speak with him, he makes you feel as if you’re the most important person in the world. It’s intoxicating, but it's just who he is.”

The elderly gentleman stroked his mustache, amused. “I’m an old man now, but I know what love looks like. I know how I looked at this woman next to me whenever she walked into a room, and fifty years later, I still see her the same way.”

Lilly beamed at the couple. “That kind of adoration is rare.”

“It is dear,” the woman replied, “don’t let it slip through your fingers. The heart wants what it wants.” With that, they disappeared into the crowd.

Lilly watched them leave, the woman’s words resonating through her head. Such silliness, she surmised, snapping from her reverie when Sabina and Ben motioned to her from across the ballroom.

She strolled over, wrapping one arm around each of her friends. “Where have you been all my life? How am I to survive without my darling comrades?”

Ben scoffed, twirling her playfully. “You’re doing just fine, my dear. These donors are wrapped around your little finger.”

“One in particular,” Sabina interjected, a bemused smile on her lips.

Lilly shot her a questioning look. “You mean that couple? They’re lovely, they've been married fifty years.”

“I don’t mean that couple, although congratulations for surviving that long without killing your spouse.” Sabina motioned over Lilly’s shoulder. “I’m referring to a gentleman who hasn’t taken his eyes off you all evening. I overheard him speaking about you with some of the guests. He radiates when you’re the topic of conversation.”

“He’s trying to get money out of them Sabina, it wouldn’t do for him to down talk the charity, or me.”

Ben and Sabina exchanged glances. “Whatever you say, dear heart. It’s obvious you’re in love with him, and the feeling is mutual.”

“Jacob has a girlfriend, remember?” Lilly gritted out, hating how that statement felt in her mouth.

Sabina shook her head. “I told you, it’s a public relations stunt. Apparently being the whore of Babylon has its consequences. In return for him escorting her to functions and restoring faith in her name, Victoria ensures Jacob gets the lead role in Milieu of Madness. It’s a business arrangement.”

Lilly rolled her eyes. “They’re pretending to be together? If that’s the case, why hasn’t he told me about the situation? And if she’s the whore of Babylon but he’s acting as her suitor, then what does that make me, the whore of south London?”

Sabina offered up a smirk. “Hardly, Lilly. Despite her objections, he refused to attend with her tonight. Jacob wanted to escort you, and if that wasn’t possible, he wasn’t going with anyone. So, I think that makes you his love interest, wouldn’t you say, Ben?”

Lilly scoffed, but Ben leveled with her, “I know men,” eliciting a groan from Sabina, “save it peanut gallery. That man has fallen hard for you. If a man like that looked at me like he’s looking at you…let's just say I would leave early tonight.”

Lilly’s throat tightened as the butterflies returned. Her gaze met Jacob’s across the room, and he nodded towards the balcony, flashing a small smile. Sometimes, logic be damned.

“Excuse me,” Lilly murmured to her friends, who responded with knowing smiles.

Lilly stepped outside, inhaling the crisp air. Jacob leaned against the railing, a glass of wine in his hands, his eyes raking over every inch of her body.

Lilly didn’t know if it was the alcohol, Jacob’s lustful stare, or her own undeniable desire, but at that moment, she didn’t need a reason. She crossed the small space and without hesitation, reached up, pressing her lips to his. He fumbled to set the wine on the railing before wrapping his arms around her, his mouth opening to her kiss. She deepened the contact, pushing her body against him and he responded, lifting her onto the railing as her arms slid around his neck.

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