Page 51 of From the Moment We Met

“Do what?”

“You don’t have to pretend you’re fine, or that your tears are silly. You have an amazing capacity to love. I’ve never met anyone like you before.” Lilly shifted uncomfortably as Jacob continued. “How do you do it? How do you keep giving out love even when it can’t be returned?”

Lilly’s smile was wise beyond her years. “Because,” she whispered, “love is a gift, it’s supposed to be given freely. It doesn’t come with attachments or requisites, and it’s all I have to offer the people and creatures in my life.”

Jacob wanted to respond with some profound, philosophical statement, but her brutal, biting honesty left him wondering if he had wasted the first 37 years of his life. Here was a woman who gave more of herself than anyone he ever met in Hollywood and expected nothing in return. Life wasn’t like that in his circles. People only gave of their time and money when they stood to earn something in return. “Anyone who receives your love is lucky indeed.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Is there any greater gift than to be loved by an angel?”

Her eyes brightened at his words. “I’m no angel.”

His fingers slid along her jaw. “You are to me.”

He watched that beloved flush take hold of her face. God, she was beautiful. “I’m a big sap, still believing in fairy tales. And I know that when you meet someone extraordinary, Jacob, you’ll give them love you didn’t realize your heart contained. Wow, now this is a house.” Her eyes widened as the car stopped at the stone wall surrounding his home, and he punched in the access code at the gate.

Jacob pulled up the drive to his Tudor home and helped Lilly out of the car. She gazed around the mansion grounds, walking over to a small stone wall surrounding one of the gardens. That particular wall was due for repair, the stones had loosened, and the structure lurched precariously.

Lilly knelt by the wall, placing her hands on the stones. “This is original from when the house was built, isn’t it?”

Jacob nodded, and Lilly smiled, gazing up at the oak tree next to the wall. “I’ll bet this tree was only a few feet tall at that time. The dreams they had as they watched their home grow.” She placed her hands on the tree’s trunk, staring up at the leaves as if seeing the memories the tree witnessed firsthand.

Jacob realized he was falling in love with Lilly at that moment. It hit him like a lightning bolt, leaving him breathless.

He entertained many guests at the house in the past year, but they were only concerned with his liquor cabinet or interior designer. This remarkable woman gravitated towards the original pieces of the house and instead of commenting on the state of dilapidation, focused on the passage of time and the realization of dreams. She expressed the reason he loved this manor house but was never able to put into words.

Lilly walked to his side, an otherworldly smile on her face. “It’s lovely. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Jacob wanted to lay her down on the grass and make love to her, but instead, he lifted her chin, depositing a soft kiss on her lips. Lilly looked surprised at his gesture, and he cupped her face in his hands. “It always just felt like a house until you arrived, you make it feel like home.” He meant every word, and she rewarded him with another kiss. “I wanted to know if you had a date for the fundraising ball. I know it’s last minute, but I did only find out today.”

Lilly shook her head. “I was going to meet up with friends once I arrived.”

“Would you be open to an escort?” He realized he was holding his breath, unsure of her answer. It surprised him he even wanted to be so public with someone.

Lilly considered for a moment, biting her lower lip in that manner that drove him crazy. After what seemed an eternity, she nodded. “I’d like that.”

Jacob grinned like a fool, but he didn’t care. He swept her into his arms and twirled her around, eliciting a laugh from them both. Setting her back down, he pressed his lips against her hair, loving the feel of her slight frame in his arms.

Lilly pulled back, smiling up at him. “Not to disrupt this amazing moment, but do I get a grand tour of this fabulous home or does it end with the wall?”

Jacob slipped an arm around her shoulder, chuckling. “What kind of host would I be if I didn’t show you the highlights? I thought we might relax in the hot tub for a bit?”

Before Lilly could answer, a plump woman in her late fifties with a golden retriever appeared in the garden, and Jacob greeted her with a warm hug. “I’d like you to meet Lilly.”

The woman smiled at Jacob before turning to Lilly, clasping her hands. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Lilly returned the smile, kissing her on the cheek. “You must be Hannah.”

“Guilty. I apologize, I wasn’t aware you two were coming, or I would have made supper.”

“I wouldn’t want to trouble you, it was a last-minute decision. And this must be Charlie.” Lilly squatted next to the dog, where he rewarded her with a slobbery kiss. She fell backward, laughing.

Hannah laughed at the duo before shifting her attention to Jacob. “There’s another matter.”

“And what’s that?” Jacob asked, his eyes locked on Lilly and Charlie.

“Victoria is here.”

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