Page 48 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“She’s a really hot client.”
“I’m not into her.”
“You just look so good with someone who’s as beautiful and refined-looking as she is.” In her mind, Lillian compared Katharina’s model self to her own fragile appearance.
“You’re welcome to think that, but I don’t agree.” His voice was hard. “I think I look best when I’m next to this sexy, mysterious, goofy—”
“Oh, stop,” she tried to interrupt.
“—successful person named Lil, who’s a world champion house organizer.”
“Stop feeding my ego,” she joked.
“When you miss me or when you start to think something ridiculous like that,” he said, “just remember last night.”
She hummed. “Oh, boy. Last night was fun.”
“Yes, it was. Can we do it again when I come back?”
“I wish we could do it again right now.”
“Don’t make me leave the airport and run out to your car.” In the background, a voice over the loudspeaker sounded and people started talking. “Hey, Lil, we’re starting to board now. I’ll text you when I get there, okay?”
“All right.”
“Drive home safe, okay?”
“I will. Have a nap on the plane.”
“Definitely. I’m still tired from last night, you monster.”
She smiled. “What can I say? You make me wild.”
“That was so corny, Lil.”
“I know,” she admitted. “Go board. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you.”
His voice saying those words still made her heart flutter every time. She never knew how to respond immediately, getting overwhelmed by the butterflies.
I have a big crush on this guy, she thought, feeling her mood rise to meet the fast-drifting clouds in the sky.
Knowing he was about to hang up, she took a little breath and felt her lips curl into a smile.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter 07
LILLIAN SAT AT THE desk with her calendar pulled up on her laptop. “I am so behind.” She sighed, feeling a migraine coming on. “How have I been functioning?”
Andrew had been scheduled for appointments almost every day this week, and they were the he-can’t-miss appointments to check in how he was doing with acclimating to ‘normal’ life again. The osteopath and the cardiologist had praised his strength, and the physical therapists were impressed with how much he’d learned. And how hard he’d been working at getting his strength and motion back. Lillian tried not to roll her eyes when one female therapist marveled on and on at how in one week he had gone from very little knowledge of muscles and bones to understanding why these particular exercises were vital for recovery. And if he ever needed a dinner partner, she was available.
His head’s inflating, Amelia. I can literally see it getting bigger.
Aside from Andrew’s appointments, Lillian had to somehow fit all her clients into one week. She hadn’t expected being away for two weeks to set her so far behind—not that she wasn’t behind from L.A.—but she quickly realized that her clients here in Hanneston really depended on her more than she thought. Every day she had at least two meetings in addition to taking Andrew to his appointments.
“Thursday,” she said out loud. Today was the first day she and Andrew didn’t have anywhere to be. Staying at home all day had never appealed to her so much. She had woken up early enough this morning that she could stand at the kitchen window and watch the birds in the tree, but late enough that she could enjoy sleeping in. Winter was fully setting in now, and the days lacked the life and noise of nature as it prepared for its cold nap. Even the cats seemed less active.
