Page 110 of From the Moment We Met

Lilly took a deep, fortifying breath. “Don’t be. I got schooled in my own preaching. Just because you care about someone doesn’t mean they return your affection, lesson learned.” She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. “That’s absolutely the last time I sleep with a Hollywood actor.”

“I don’t think Mr. Edmonton is going to let you go that easily. Judging from his reaction this evening after you told him goodbye, I think he’ll fight tooth and nail to have you in his arms again.”

Don’t I wish, Lilly thought wistfully before her mind pushed aside the thought. She deserved better than Jacob Edmonton, her heart simply had to get with the program. “I’m pretty sure Jacob will forget all about me within a few weeks. He’s not exactly hard up for lovers. Not that it matters. We would never reconcile regardless. Hell, I only dated him for an hour. I think that’s a short relationship even by his standards.”

“No chance of reconciliation?”

Lilly shook her head. “For what reason? To be tossed aside again? He and I come from vastly different worlds—they’re like oil and water—they don’t blend.”

“Looks like you two blended pretty well to me,” Ben ducked, avoiding the balled-up napkin Lilly lobbed at his head. “Time will tell how the saga of Lilly and Jacob plays out, but my money is on an autumn wedding. Sabina, do you care to place a wager?”

Lilly shot Ben a scathing glare. “You mean Jacob and Victoria’s wedding?”

“Funny.”

“Not at all, actually. But I suppose I have to get used to the idea.”

“Bollocks. He won’t marry that bitch. No way in hell.” Sabina downed the rest of her drink. “He might have to pretend to care about her until his role in the movie is solidified, but he would never marry her.”

“How would you know that, Sabina?” Do I even want to know the answer to that question?

Sabina toyed with the ice cubes in the bottom of her glass. “I shouldn’t say anything. I don’t want to make it any worse.”

“Worse?” Lilly wailed. “How much worse can it get?” She placed her head on the table, emitting a low groan. “Just tell me. Put me out of my misery.”

“Jacob and I spoke about a week ago on the phone. He told me that since he met you, all he wants is to be worthy of you…he wants to be the kind of man you would want to marry. He knew it would take time to prove himself, but he said you were worth every moment.”

That did it. The dam burst and the tears spilled from Lilly’s eyes, and Sabina held her friend, rocking her gently. After a few minutes, Lilly settled, blowing her nose into a napkin and wiping her eyes. “He said in a hundred lifetimes, he’d always choose me.” Hot tears welled again behind Lilly’s eyes. “But he didn’t.”

Ben and Sabina wrapped their arms around Lilly, sandwiching her in the middle. “Wait and see, darling. That man will realize he can’t live without you. Then you’d better be prepared because he’ll stop at nothing to make you his.”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Lilly muttered.

“Enough tears for one evening. Let’s change topics to something more fun. We need to get Lilly laid,” Sabina remarked, smoothing Lilly’s hair.

“Hard pass,” Lilly grumbled.

“They say the quickest way to get over someone is to get under someone new,” Ben added. What a helpful friend.

“Whose side are you on?” Lilly barked.

“Your side, darling. I won’t let you go into another self-imposed yearlong celibacy. It’s harmful to your health.”

Lilly sputtered her drink, blowing her nose again. “I’m so glad you’re not a doctor, Ben.”

“He’s right. You need to focus on having a good damn time. Let your hair down and live a little. I know it’s too soon, but Enrique is a hell of a catch, and I don’t think he would do what Jacob did.”

“Way too soon. I’m going to grow old alone, surrounded by a hundred cats.” Lilly smirked at her friend’s expressions. “Fine, I’ll see how I feel in a couple weeks. Give me until then to enjoy my pity party, huh?”

The friends fell out laughing, opting to table any further talk about Jacob and Lilly’s sexual debacle.

They departed the bar an hour or so later, and Ben lagged behind. “Lilly, what Jacob did is inexcusable, but as a man, I really do think he’s in love with you.”

Lilly snorted in disbelief. “Are you insane?”

“Technically or literally?”

“Either. Why in the world would you think Jacob is in love with me?”

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