Page 45 of From the Moment We Met

Chapter Nine

Jacob

Jacob strolled into the hotel suite, weaving his way through the throng of reporters gathering for the interview. He made a beeline for Roger, pulling his best friend into a fierce hug.

“There you are. I was shocked that I arrived first. You’re always early to these things.”

Jacob grunted in reply, sipping his tea. “I had a few things to take care of this morning, took a bit longer than expected.” He stroked his beard as he gazed out the window at the bustling London street, recalling his earlier conversation with Sabina.

Leaving Lilly that night was torturous, and he knew his abrupt departure upset her. Jacob tried to track her down at the hospital, but she was always out of the office. He found her once with Dr. Torres, but she only nodded in his direction before walking away.

Her theory about love lingered as much as her scent; this woman intoxicated him. There was something fragile about Lilly, and Jacob knew she was unlike anyone he’d ever met. She willingly opened herself to people and offered her heart while asking nothing in return, Jacob wished he was that brave.

Roger tapped Jacob on the shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“What?” Jacob snapped from his reverie. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Roger raised his eyebrows in disbelief but changed the topic to his daughter’s upcoming birthday when Jacob cut him off.

“I hung out with Lilly the other night.”

Roger shook his head as if to clear it, surprised by the sudden turn in the conversation. “The nurse who took care of Janie?” When Jacob nodded, Roger smiled. “Good for you, Janie adores her. It’s about time you found a good woman.”

“Then I buggered it completely.” Jacob’s eyes focused out the window, avoiding his friend’s gaze.

“How did you manage that? Did you sleep with her?”

“No! She didn’t want to have sex, and I respected that, but I took off at the end because I knew if I didn’t leave immediately, we would’ve slept together.”

“I’m confused. How exactly did you fuck it up?” Roger looked thoughtfully at his friend.

“One minute we’re fooling around and the next I’m throwing on my clothes and running out the door. And I told Lilly I’d call her—”

“But you didn’t. Well, if you don’t like her, you don’t like her.”

Jacob slammed his cup down, splashing tea onto the table. “That’s just it. I do like her, I like her too much. I can’t stop thinking about her, and I have to see her later today.”

“You have lost me, mate. I thought you fucked it up. How are you seeing her later?”

“Lilly volunteers at an animal rescue, and they’re building new dog runs. I offered to help this afternoon.”

Roger regarded Jacob. “Is she aware you’re coming?”

Jacob shook his head. “I never got her number, so I had to speak to her best friend who read me the riot act for ten minutes before finally giving me the address of the shelter.” He ran his hand through his curls. “I’m going there when the interviews are finished.”

Roger chuckled, and Jacob glared at his friend. “Sorry mate, it’s funny.”

“I’m glad you’re amused.”

“Some people get under your skin and work their way into your heart. Before you know it, you’re married with kids and only accepting local roles to avoid leaving your family.” He leaned into his friend and whispered, “Welcome to the club.”

Jacob scoffed at Roger’s words. Acting was his true love. He’d lost friendships, relationships, and even family over the years as he consistently chose his career over everything else. And now, the juiciest acting role in decades was being cast, and if he landed that gig, Jacob’s place in Hollywood history was secured.

“Absolutely not, I have too much on the line, and they’re casting soon for Milieu of Madness. I will not let anyone derail me from that, no matter how adorable they may be. I have a plan for my life.”

Roger shook his head. “Sometimes life makes other plans for you. Speaking of Milieu of Madness, I found out that Victoria is close friends with the director.”

Jacob’s eyes widened. His ex-girlfriend’s reach within the entertainment industry seemed limitless, and now her claws were sunk into his movie’s director. “That’s what she was talking about on the phone the other night. How do you know?”

---