Page 20 of From the Moment We Met

Audrey shrugged. “To be sure, but at least you’re an honest cad.”

Jacob swigged his whiskey, feeling the warm burn move through his body. That same burn swept through him when his lips pressed against Lilly’s sensual mouth. “I’m getting tired of being a cad, honest or otherwise.”

They finished their dinner and Audrey put Elizabeth to bed while Jacob checked on his Mum. Then he settled in the living room, his fingers wrapped around his third glass of whiskey. “Is she asleep?”

Audrey nodded. “Out like a light. The excitement of today wore her out. It wore all of us out.” She sat next to Jacob, a refill in her hand. “So, you hung out with Dr. Torres and Lilly? I figured those two were dating.”

Jacob snorted. “They’re not dating.”

“That was a speedy retort.”

“He wants to date her, he made that point clear to me tonight.”

Audrey sat up, staring at Jacob. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Bugger.” Jacob buried his head in his hands. “I went off on Lilly earlier today.”

“Why?”

“She claimed I had screwed up priorities.” He looked to Audrey, a smirk on her face. “I got pissed because she was right. The woman knew me five minutes and saw right through me. I let her have it, and she let me have it right back.”

Audrey chuckled. “I like this girl, standing up to you.”

“All one and a half meters of her,” Jacob grumbled.

“You like her.”

“I do not—”

“Bullshit. Yes, you do; you like her.” She swirled the whiskey in the glass. “Did you play nice at the bar or did you throw some more zingers her way?”

“I was a total asshole, but she outmaneuvered me. She’s a hell of a kisser though.” He finished off his whiskey.

You could have heard a pin drop. “You kissed Lilly? How in the world did that happen?”

“I’ve got skills.” The cad exterior was firmly in place again.

“Oh for God's sake.” Audrey stood up, heading towards one of the bedrooms. “Be careful, or you might fall in love for real this time.”

“I think I’m safe.” Jacob stared at the bottom of his glass, feeling the weight of his lie. He wasn’t safe at all. “Audrey?”

“Yeah?”

“How would I know?”

“You’ll know. All other women will fail to shine as brightly as she does.” With a final wave, Audrey slipped into the bedroom, leaving Jacob alone with his thoughts.

His phone flashed, and for a brief instant he wondered if it might be Lilly; a ridiculous thought, they hadn’t exchanged numbers. His breath caught when he saw who sent the message. It was Victoria.

‘Hey Jacob, miss me? I miss you. We need to have a chat, discuss our situation. Love and stuff, V.’

This was the first time she reached out since he found her in his bed with another man. The same day his unfortunate ‘groveling incident’ achieved worldwide publication. He cringed when he recalled how brokenhearted he was at her infidelity. Christ he’d been a fool.

He hit the button to reply to her message but paused. What was there to say to each other at this point? A month ago, he would have given his right arm for such a text, but tonight he tossed the phone aside without answering. Maybe it was Janie’s surgery bringing about his change of heart. Who was he kidding, he hadn’t been able to push Lilly from his mind since they met.

∞∞∞

Lilly

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