Page 69 of From the Moment We Met

“I think I hate you.”

Lilly guffawed. “Nope. You have to love me, part of the contract. See you at six."

∞∞∞

Two five-star restaurants in two days, Lilly bemused as she looked around the Chiltern Firehouse.

The interior of the restaurant glowed in the mood lighting while servers, all resembling fashion models, buzzed around the patrons. There was an air of importance to the restaurant, the place radiated with grandeur and sophistication.

Lilly waited for Ben in the lobby, smoothing her deep blue chiffon dress and patting her hair nervously. She glanced at her phone again—a bad habit—hoping that she would hear from Jacob. Hoping that somehow, he procured her number and was as desperate to see her again as she was to see him.

But something felt off, the air crackled with a nervous energy. Lilly couldn't understand the knot in the pit of her stomach, she felt as if she were treading on a razor's edge that could slice her open at any moment.

"Lilly, you look exquisite!"

Lilly turned to see Enrique, cutting a striking form in a fitted gray suit, his dark eyes tracing over her body.

"You look wonderful, Dr. Torres."

"Enrique," He replied with a mock scowl.

Lilly giggled as he kissed her cheek. “Gotcha. What a treat! Thank you for doing all this. I've never been here before, but the reviews are fantastic."

"The food is divine; I think you'll enjoy yourself. Where's Ben run off to?”

"In the ladies' room," Lilly joked, earning a chuckle from the surgeon.

“Any chance he might make an appearance in the next hour or so?”

“One can hope.” Lilly couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. She was positively giddy.

"Did I hear my name?" Ben asked, clapping Enrique on the shoulder.

"I was afraid you fell in," Lilly quipped.

"It takes an effort to look this good. And," Ben whispered, "Enrique tells me one of the surgeons just broke up with his boyfriend. He’s devastated. “

Lilly kissed Ben on the cheek, embracing her friend. “Are you planning to help him through his mourning?”

Ben snapped his fingers with attitude. “You know it.”

“I’ll put in a good word then."

"You'd better, Lilly. Otherwise, what do I keep you around for?"

“Comic relief?”

Ben hugged Lilly around the shoulders. “Most definitely, luv.”

Enrique was right. The food—appetizers at least—was terrific, and the alcohol flowed as if from a river. You no more than took a sip and someone was refilling your glass.

The dinner was held under the guise of a business meeting but the only business being discussed was squash games and golf scores.

"Too bad Jacob couldn't accompany you,” Ben murmured. "How is our—I mean your—resident Hollywood hunk?"

Lilly blushed. "He's wonderful. He had a business meeting this evening, so he’s engaged elsewhere."

"Are you still speaking to that man?" Enrique inquired, a frown marring his face.

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