Page 80 of From the Moment We Met

Lilly was chatting with Janie, a smile illuminating her features, but it faded when she caught sight of him. “Jacob, I’m surprised to see you. I expected Audrey would take Janie home.”

Jacob nodded, his mouth dry as he looked at her, his hands itching to take her into his arms and kiss her until she believed he loved her the way she loved him.

Janie squeezed Lilly’s hand. “You have my number. You better stay in touch with me.”

Lilly squatted by Janie’s wheelchair. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

Janie’s eyes teared, and she pulled Lilly in for a hug. “Thank God for you, Lilly.” Her hand went to the talisman around her neck. “You saved me. How can I ever repay you?”

Lilly’s smile lit up her face. “Live an extraordinary life and enjoy every minute.” She peered around the car park. “Where’s the orderly?”

Janie waved her hand. “I can manage.”

“Nonsense,” Lilly replied, setting down her briefcase. “I’m happy to help.” She glanced at Jacob, her expression guarded. “Will you help her balance, please?”

Jacob realized he was standing there like a dolt until he snapped from his reverie, hurrying to Janie’s side as Lilly helped her stand. Within a minute, Janie was seated and comfortable, but she shot her brother a look before grabbing Lilly’s hand again.

Jacob realized Janie was stalling and he rushed to where Lilly was standing. Lilly said a final goodbye and straightened, looking at him. “Get home safe.” She had taken a few steps away when Jacob grabbed her arm.

“It’s not what you think. I’m not with Victoria.”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me.” Lilly’s jaw was tight, and it was all Jacob could do to not grab her and kiss her until she softened.

“But I want to explain it to you, I want to explain everything to you.” He closed the gap between them, taking her hands and pressing his forehead against hers. She stiffened, and he massaged her hands with his thumbs in a futile attempt to relax her. “You won’t give me a chance?”

Lilly pushed back from him, her eyes glistening. “No need. I’ll see you and your girlfriend at the fundraiser.”

“Lilly…we need to talk about the other night. Things were said—”

She bit her lip, gazing at the concrete. “I was drunk. I don’t have a clue what I said.”

But Jacob wouldn’t release his grip, not yet. “Yes, you do, Lilly. I know you remember. I want to talk about what you said that night, and what I need to tell you—”

She snatched her hands back, her eyes brimming with tears. “I told you, I was drunk. Nothing I said meant anything.”

The saying by Jean-Jacques Rousseau floated through Jacob’s mind—‘a drunk mind speaks a sober heart’—but he opted to keep it to himself. She was clearly embarrassed, which meant she remembered every word she spoke that night. “It meant something to me.”

Lilly whirled on her heel; her expression as cloudy as the storm-ridden London sky. “Goodbye, Jacob.”

And with that, she disappeared into the hospital.

Jacob got back into his car, slamming the door. He turned to Janie and muttered, “Don’t say it, I know I’ve screwed up.”

Janie grabbed his hand, whispering, “Then fix it. It’s obvious you two care about each other.”

Jacob nodded, realizing he cared too much about this woman and he wasn’t sure what that meant for anything anymore.

∞∞∞

Lilly

People milled about the fundraiser, dressed in their finery and downing champagne like water. The guests discussed a variety of high-brow issues, ranging from butlers to polo. Lilly stifled a laugh when she overheard a middle-aged woman groaning about an escargot fiasco. Oh, the problems of the wealthy.

The ballroom was decorated to the hilt, and the turnout already surpassed estimates, but if the event weren’t for her charity, Lilly would have skipped it in favor of a movie marathon and pint—no a gallon of ice cream.

She realized how foolish she appeared to anyone who saw her with Jacob, a schoolgirl with a crush on the unattainable teacher. Worse, she believed he reciprocated those feelings. She usually kept men at arm’s length, but Jacob broke through her defenses as if they were constructed of marshmallows.

Lilly heard her name being called and turned to see Sabina hurrying over. “My God woman, you look fantastic!”

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