Page 75 of From the Moment We Met

Chapter Thirteen

Jacob

Jacob let out a deep sigh, this was going to be a long night. He drove immediately to the bar after Sabina disclosed their location, uncertain what he might face at the hands of a drunken Lilly. His brain replayed memories of Victoria when she was soused, and he would rather face a firing squad than his ex-girlfriend when she’d thrown back one too many. He only prayed Lilly was a kinder, gentler drunk.

“Why are you here, Jacob?” Lilly’s dark eyes perused his face, but he didn’t denote any malice in her tone. Belligerence, sure, but no open hostility.

“I’m saving you from alcohol poisoning, apparently.” His hands curled around the glass, but Lilly held firm. “Give me the whiskey, Lilly.”

“No.” She glared at him, smacking his hand as he tried to take the glass.

Jacob moved closer, trying not to chuckle as her fingers tightened around the glass—as if that would stop him. “You’ve had enough tonight. Come on, the last thing you want is a hangover. I’m not worth the headache.”

Lilly’s eyes moved between Jacob and her glass of alcohol, and he wondered which path she would choose. His question was answered when she took another sip of her drink, shooting him a snarky look. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“Clearly.”

The barkeep approached with a fresh drink, and Jacob sent him a scathing glare. “No, take it back.”

“Sorry sir, the man down at the end of the bar wanted to buy the lady a drink.”

All three of them swung their heads to the right, observing the handsome man in the dark suit. Sabina looked amused at the turn of events, Lilly offered a sweet smile and Jacob wanted to pound the bloke’s head into the wooden bar.

Lilly raised her glass in the man’s direction and smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

Jacob snatched the fresh drink and marched to the end of the bar, slamming the glass down in front of the surprised man. “Here’s your drink.”

“I bought it for the lady.”

“That lady is with me. I don’t want you to look at her or even think about her. You read me?”

The man leaned back on the stool, a smirk crossing his face. “She seemed pretty grateful, you certain she knows she’s with you?”

“Stay away from her.” Jacob stomped back to where Lilly and Sabina sat regarding him.

“Down killer,” Sabina stated, her smile fading when his blue gaze pinned her.

“You took my drink.” Lilly took another sip from the glass in front of her. “A drink that nice—and handsome—man bought for me.”

Jacob swallowed against his rising temper. Lilly was drunk and angry—rightfully so, he had to tread lightly. “Would you like me to go introduce you?”

He immediately felt terrible for the snappish reply, especially when her gaze moved from his to the bar. “I’m sorry. You know how I am when another man looks at you.” He stroked her hair, biting back a smile when she swatted his fingers like an annoying wasp.

“How did you know I was here? And where’s your girlfriend? You know the one, she’s like twelve feet tall…however many meters that is…she’s really tall.”

Jacob laughed, Lilly was adorable when she was inebriated. “I’ve been worried sick about you since you ran out of the restaurant. Ben and Enrique didn’t know where the hell you were, so I called Sabina, and she gave me the low down.”

Lilly turned her glare on her best friend. “Traitor. Red Coat.”

Sabina snickered, Lilly was not an intimidating figure, drunk or sober. “I am a Red Coat. You're in England.”

Lilly waved her hand, spilling whiskey on her leg. “That’s a technicality. You’re still a traitor. T-R-A-I-something-something.”

He wanted to be cross with Lilly, but she was too cute, and he was too damnably in love with her to be anything but glad to be near her. Jacob laughed again and wrenched the glass from Lilly’s hand before scooping her into his arms. “Come on, silly one, let’s go home.”

Lilly struggled in his arms. “I don’t need you to take me home. I can get home myself.”

“Love to see you try,” Jacob stated as he carried her to his car, settling her into the passenger seat.

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