“Hi. Would it be okay if I pick Charley up from school tomorrow and take her to the studio with me for a while?”
“Sure. She’ll love that. She misses you so much and so do I.”
“I miss you both too. Don’t tell her that I’m picking her up. I want it to be a surprise.”
****
Luke
I didn’t know if following Lily out of the room was a good idea, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to be where she was. I took some change out of my pocket and walked into the waiting room with the coffee machine.
“Excuse me,” I said as Lily was looking at her phone and standing in front of the machine.
“Sorry,” she said as she moved out of the way.
I put the change in the machine and pressed the button for a cup of black coffee.
“Is this stuff any good?” I asked her.
“It’s no Starbucks, that’s for sure. But it’s pretty decent.”
She left the waiting room and I followed behind. We walked back into Giselle’s room and noticed that Sam and Gretchen were gone.
“Where did they go?” Lily asked Giselle.
“They left. They said they had something they had to do and they’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Great. I was going to get a ride home with them.”
“Why? Luke’s here. He’ll drive you home. Right?” Lucky smiled.
“Of course,” I said.
“Anyway, I’m really tired. Thank you for the flowers and the balloons.” Giselle smiled.
“You’re welcome.” I walked over and gave her a kiss goodbye.
Lily and I walked out of the room and I turned and looked at her.
“Did we just get kicked out?”
“Yeah. I think we did.” She smiled.
God, it was good to see her smile again. I wanted to run my hand down her cheek and tell her how much I loved her, but at the risk of getting slapped, I kept my hands to myself and my mouth shut.
“I can’t believe Gretchen and Sam took off like that,” she said.
“I know. They did that this morning too.”
“The least they could’ve done was tell us,” Lily said.
We climbed in my Jeep and, as we pulled out of the parking lot, I had a thought. A thought that would really piss Lily off, but at this point, I didn’t care.
“I’m sorry, Lily, but I’m starving and I need to grab something to eat.”
“NOW?!” she exclaimed.
“Yeah. I haven’t eaten all day. We can just stop at that diner up the street. It’s two minutes from here.”
“Just drive thru a McDonalds or something and eat it in your apartment.”
“The closest McDonalds is three miles from here,” I said as I pulled into the parking lot of the diner. “See? We’re already here.”
She looked at me and rolled her eyes.
“Listen, I promise I won’t talk to you. But I’m driving and I’m starving, and I’m getting something to eat before I drive you home.”
“Whatever,” she said as she opened and then slammed the door shut.
We walked into the diner. She was pissed. I was going to take advantage of any opportunity I had to be alone with her.
20
Lily
The nerve of him. We were seated in a booth and I looked around to see if there was another one available. Another booth just for me.
“Are you looking to sit somewhere else?” he asked.
Damn him. I hated that he knew me too well in these types of situations.
“Yes. Yes, I am because this is bullshit that you brought me here,” I said through gritted teeth across the table.
I picked up my menu and held it up to my face so he couldn’t see me. This wasn’t right and it was not helping my state of mind.
“I’m sorry, Lily. You’re right. Let’s go,” he said as he got up from the booth.
I took in a deep breath. Every piece of me wanted to get up from my seat and follow him, but I couldn’t.
“Sit down and look at the menu,” I said.
“No, seriously. Let’s go. I can’t do this with you either. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
“You’re making a scene, Luke. Sit down and let’s order dinner.”
He sighed, sat back down, and opened his menu. The waitress walked over and took our drink order. Since this place didn’t have alcohol, I just ordered coffee. Luke stuck with water. I picked up my phone and sent a text message to Gretchen.
“Thanks a lot for leaving the hospital without giving me a ride home.”
“Sorry. We sort of forgot you didn’t drive. But Luke was there. He gave you a ride home, right?”
“Not yet. He was starving, so he stopped at a diner to get something to eat.”
“Oh. Well, use this time to talk to him.”
“Goodbye, Gretchen.”
“Are you bitching to Gretchen about having to stop here?”
DAMN. HIM. “No. I was—It’s none of your business.”
The waitress came back with our drinks and took our order. I only ordered a side salad because I wasn’t hungry, but I didn’t want Luke to start in on me. The couple sitting at the table next to us were being overly affectionate. They were holding hands across the table, stealing little kisses, smiling, laughing, and being what Luke and I used to be like. I could feel the tears spring to my eyes. The waitress brought our food just in time.
“I saw you staring at that couple over there,” he said as he took a bite of his burger.
“I wasn’t staring.”
“They remind me of two other people.”
“Really? Because nothing’s really as it seems. They’ll wake up one day.”
He took another bite of his burger and stared at me while nodding his head. That was the end of our conversation for the rest of the night. After we finished eating, Luke drove back to the apartment. I walked in mine, and he walked in his without as much as a goodnight.
****
Luke
I walked in my apartment and threw my keys on the table. Sam and Gretchen were snuggled on the couch, watching a movie.
“Hey, what took you so long to get back?” Sam asked.
“Before coming home, I stopped off and got something to eat.”
“Wasn’t Lily with you?”
“Yeah, she was, and it didn’t go so well. It’s over between me and Lily. I can’t do it anymore. She won’t even listen to me. She won’t talk about that night and she won’t let me explain. It’s over, so stop trying to push us together.”
“What are you talking about?” Sam asked.
“I suspect the two of you had something to do with Lily’s SUV not starting. I started piecing some things together the second time it happened. Thanks, but no thanks,” I said as I walked to my room.
“We were only trying to help you two out,” Sam yelled.
I heard my phone beep and I pulled it out of my pocket. I had a text message from Cody.
“Hi, Luke. I just wanted you to know that I posted the ad for band auditions and there’s already about twenty bands that want to play at the bar.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Cody. I appreciate your hard work. Now stop thinking about business and take the night off.”
“I’m just sitting at home with nothing to do. No big deal.”
“I appreciate it. Good night.”
“Good night, Luke.”
I took off my t-shirt and lay down on the bed with my hands behind my head. I thought about what Sam and Gretchen had done to try and get me and Lily alone. I needed to tell her because she was going to have the Explorer towed tomorrow and possibly go buy a new one.
“Sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know that Sam and Gretchen were responsible for the Explorer not starting today. They were scheming to try and get us alone. You won’t need to have it towed tomorrow.”
“Real special friends. Thanks for letting me know.”
What I wouldn’t have given right then to be in her bed
with my arms wrapped tightly around her. I missed her touch, her smell, the softness of her hair, and her beautiful smile. I was desperate to run my hand gently up and down her silky skin and I was desperate to hear her soft moans when my fingers went deep inside her. Shit. I was getting hard.
****
Lily
I didn’t sleep anymore. I was lucky if I could get in three hours’ worth. I was back to where I was two years ago after I left Seattle. My mind wouldn’t settle down with thoughts of Luke, and my anger still consumed me. I rolled out of bed and took a hot shower. I couldn’t believe that Sam and Gretchen would do such a thing, especially knowing how I felt. I got dressed, grabbed my coffee, and, when I opened the door, I saw Charley coming down the stairs. She looked at me, threw her backpack down, and ran to me, throwing her arms around my legs.
“Lily!”
“Hi, baby,” I said as I hugged her. “How are you?”
“I knew you’d come back.”
“Of course. I just went to visit my mom and my sister in Seattle.”
Luke walked out of his apartment and looked at us.
“Uncle Luke, did you know that Lily’s back?”
He smiled at her as he patted her head. “Yeah, I knew, peanut.”
She could tell something was up because neither one of us said a word to each other. She looked at him and then at me as Maddie came walking down the stairs.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t the two of you talking?” she asked.
“Come on, Charley. You’re going to be late for school,” Maddie said.
I bent down and placed my hand on her cheek. “Guess what. I’m picking you up today and taking you to my new studio. I need some help and I couldn’t think of a more qualified person to help me.”
“Really!”
“Yes.” I smiled. “Now go to school. I’ll see you later.”
She gave me a kiss on the cheek, gave Luke a dirty look, and then walked out the building door. I locked up my apartment and Luke walked out.
I stopped by the hospital on my way to the studio to see how Giselle and the baby were doing. When I walked in, she was eating breakfast.
“Just in time. Would you like some of this crap they claim is oatmeal?” she asked.
“No thanks. I’m good.” I smiled as I sat down in the chair next to her bed. “How is Isabella doing?”
“She’s doing great. The doctor said that she’ll probably be ready to go home in a couple of weeks. Lucky and I got to hold her last night and we both cried. I can’t wait for my parents to meet her; they’re flying in today. I told Lucky he better be on his best behavior or else. The last time they were here, after Gretchen’s accident, they weren’t impressed with him.”
“Speaking of Lucky, where is he?”
“Right here.” He smiled as he walked into the room, holding a brown bag. “I bring real food.”
He walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the head. I got up from the chair and hugged Giselle.
“I’m going to go. I need to head over to the studio.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Adalynn over at Prim wants you to give her a call. She wants to talk to you about doing a photo shoot for the magazine. She saw the pictures of Rory and the girls and was really impressed.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, so call her today. This could be a huge opportunity for you.”
I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. I’ll call her as soon as I get to the studio. Bye, Lucky.”
“Bye, babe. Hey, do me a favor.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Talk to Luke. He misses you in a really bad way.”
“Then he shouldn’t have said what he did. I love you both. I’ll see you later,” I said as I walked out of the room.
As soon as I got to the studio, I dialed Adalynn over at Prim.
“This is Adalynn,” she answered.
“Hi, Adalynn. It’s Lily Gilmore. Giselle said that you wanted me to give you a call.”
“Oh yes, Lily. How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?”
“Doing great. I was hoping that you’d be available to do a photo shoot for a fall fashion spread I’m doing for next month’s issue of Prim.”
“I would be honored. Thank you.”
“I saw the pictures you took of Rory and my sweet girls and the way you captured their emotions was really good. I especially loved the sensual pictures you took of Rory.”
“She showed you those?”
“Yes, and so did Ian. He was blown away and wouldn’t stop raving about you and your work. If you’re available, I would like to do the shoot in a couple of days. I want some shots on the Santa Monica Pier and then at your studio would be great.”
“Sounds good. I’m available whenever you need me.”
“Great. Let’s meet at the pier at noon. I’ll have a meeting with the models and tell them it’s a go.”
“Thank you, Adalynn. I really appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”
“No problem. I’ll see you Friday.”
I couldn’t believe it. For the first time in a long time, excitement shot throughout my body. Shit. I was going to need an assistant. There was no way I could do that shoot on my own with all that equipment. How was I going to find someone on such short notice? I decided to call Sam with the hopes that maybe he knew someone who would be interested.
“Hey, Lils,” he answered.
“Hey, Sam. Do you know anyone who’s looking for a job as a photographer’s assistant?”
“No, I don’t. Why?”
“I’m doing my first photo shoot in a couple of days for Prim magazine and I need an assistant. I thought maybe you’d know someone around your firm or someone who knows someone.”
“Sorry. But why don’t you call the art department over at UCLA? I’m sure there are college students who are in the photography program that would love to do that.”
“Great idea. I didn’t even think about that. Thanks, Sam. Oh, by the way, you and Gretchen aren’t off the hook about the little stunt you two pulled with my truck.”
“Oh. You know about that? Sorry.”
“Yeah, I know and I’m not happy, but we’ll talk about it later.”
“Okay. I’ll warn Gretchen,” he sighed.
I was really happy about Sam’s suggestion to call UCLA. I googled the number and dialed their art department. The director, Mr. Smith, seemed really nice and told me to come right over because he had the perfect person for me. L.A. traffic was the worst. What should have taken me fifteen minutes to get to UCLA, took me an hour. I found my way to the art department and met Mr. Smith. When we reached the photography room, he introduced me to a guy named Wyatt. He was a second-year photography student and one of the best in his class.
“Wyatt, I would like you to meet Lily Gilmore. She’s the photographer I was telling you about.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Gilmore.” He smiled as he held out his hand.
“Please call me Lily. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“I’ll leave you two alone to get acquainted.” Mr. Smith smiled.
21
Luke
I was sitting at my desk, going over some invoices, when Cody walked into the office.
“Hey, Luke.”
“Hey,” I replied without looking up.
“The first band will be here in a couple of hours to audition.”
“Okay.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Am I okay? No, I wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to let her know that. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be okay again unless I got Lily back.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
She gave me a small smile and walked out of the office. A few moments later, there was a knock on my door. I looked up and saw my mom and dad standing there, smiling at me.
“Mom, Dad, you’re back. How was your trip?” I asked as I got up and hugged them.
“It was marvelous.??
? My mom smiled.
“How are you, son?” my dad asked as we lightly hugged.
“I’m good.”
“I’m having Charley’s birthday party this weekend at the house, so you and Lily better not have other plans. I’m excited to see her. How is she?”
Shit. Shit. Shit. How would I tell my parents that we weren’t together anymore and that I royally fucked things up?
“Let’s go take a seat and have some lunch. I have something to tell you.”
“Now you’re worrying me, Luke,” my mom said.
I told Maddie to join us, but she said that I needed to talk to our parents alone. We took a seat at the table and ordered some lunch.
“Something happened while you were gone. Lily and I broke up.”
I watched as tears sprang to my mother’s eyes. “Why?”
“Son, I’m sorry,” my dad said.
“It was all my fault and now she hates me. I found out something about her. I was in shock. I accused her of something horrible and I took off for a while. When I came back, she was gone. Now she’s back because our friend had her baby and Lily won’t talk to me or let me explain.”
The sad look on my mother’s face broke my heart. She reached over and placed her hand on mine.
“What did she do?”
“Remember when Callie and I were in Portland for the weekend and I told you that a woman came up to us at the restaurant and gave us those tickets to Aruba?”
“Yes.”
“That woman was Lily, but neither one of us remembered each other because it had been a little over year.”
She slowly slid her hand off of mine and glared at me.
“What exactly are you saying, Luke?” my dad asked.
Before I could get any words out of my mouth, my mother spoke. “I think he’s trying to tell us that he blamed Lily for the accident.”
“That’s ridiculous. She didn’t cause the accident.”
“I know that. But when I first found out, I was in shock and I told her that if she wouldn’t have given us the tickets, then Callie would still be alive.”
“Oh Luke,” my mother said as a tear ran down her cheek.
Maddie walked over and clasped her shoulders. “He’s trying to win her back, Mom.”