Page 96 of From the Moment We Met

Chapter Sixteen

Jacob

“Whiskey?” Roger asked, handing Jacob a glass.

Jacob nodded, mumbling thanks under his breath.

“You really shouldn’t look so thrilled to be here. Try and keep your enthusiasm under control.”

Jacob’s laugh was dry and hollow. “Sorry mate, just tired.”

Roger regarded him soberly. “I know a load of bollocks when I hear it. Bad news about that role?”

“No, that’s moving along quite nicely. I spoke with Albert earlier this week. Of course, I have to spend time with Victoria and pretend I’m enamored with her which is more than I can stomach.”

“Then stop pretending. No one told you to play this farce with Victoria. You’ve got enough merit as an actor to earn that role without having to be her pool boy.”

“You know as well as I do it’s not that easy. People talk, and rumors—true or not—can destroy your career. And that woman—” Jacob hissed, “—is a bloody rumor mill.”

“Enough about the succubus, how was the fundraising ball? It was for Lilly’s charity, right?”

“It was a huge success, they were able to raise a large sum of money.”

Roger shot Jacob a side-eye. “Let me guess, Lilly is a money-grubbing python too, and won’t leave you alone?”

Jacob guffawed. “Hardly. She’s perfect, actually.” His expression softened, recalling their nights together. “She understands me, and she’s so kind…but I haven’t heard from since the night of the fundraiser, so, it's obvious she doesn’t feel the same way about me.”

Roger set his whiskey down with a triumphant flourish. “A-ha, I knew it! I knew this poor-me bullshit had nothing to do with Victoria.”

“Lay off.”

“You know, Lilly is coming tonight with Janie.”

Jacob straightened, trying not to appear too interested. “She’s coming here?”

“Unless you want me to uninvite her. I thought you’d be happy to see her. Speaking of which, there’s Janie and Audrey now.”

Jacob’s eyes flew to the door, where Janie and Audrey had entered, but Lilly wasn’t with them. “I guess she opted not to come after all. Excuse me.”

Jacob walked over to his sister, offering a tight smile. “Hello Janie, Audrey. Good to see you both.”

Janie wrapped her arms around Jacob, an amused smirk on her face. “If your face got any longer, you’d trip over it.”

“Funny.” Jacob ran a hand through his curls. “I heard Lilly was coming with you tonight.”

Another smirk, God his sister was maddening when she behaved in this manner. “Change of plans.”

“Of course. Sounds about right.”

“I get the distinct impression that your brother misses Lilly. What’s your take on the situation, Janie?” Audrey inquired, wrapping her arm around her wife’s shoulder.

“Sod off, both of you.” Jacob growled. They spoke the truth, but he didn’t need to be reminded of how the woman had left him high and dry. And this is why you don’t fall for anyone. You wind up looking like a foolish git.

“Who is this Lilly you’re all referring to?” Edward, a friend of Roger’s, popped into the conversation.

“Lilly is the woman my brother is so crazy over—”

“I am not, Janie,” Jacob lied, turning to Edward. “She’s the nurse who took care of Janie while she was in the hospital. We all became friends.”

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