“What do you plan to do? Hand them my name and phone number?” she asked.
“You’re going with me,” he barked.
“Well, for heaven’s sake, why didn’t you say so?”
“Anyone with half a brain would have figured that out. You should know that I wouldn’t be willing do something like this without an ulterior reason.”
They stood facing each other, not more than two feet apart. The air between them was so heavy that Lily expected to see arcs of electricity spark and flash. Jake’s breathing was oddly raspy. But then, hers wasn’t any better. They shouldn’t be arguing—they were friends.
Neither of them moved. Lily couldn’t stop looking at him. They were so close that she could see every line in his face, every groove, every pore. Even the hairs of his brows seemed overwhelmingly interesting. Her gaze located a faint scar on his jawline that she’d never noticed before and she wondered if this was a souvenir from Iraq. He’d told her little of his experiences there.
His eyes were greener tonight than she’d remembered. Green as emeralds, dark as night, alive and glittering with an emotion Lily couldn’t read. His mouth was relaxed and slightly parted as if beckoning her, telling her that she must make the first move. Surely she misinterpreted him. Jake wouldn’t want to kiss her. They were friends—nothing more. What had happened in the attic had been a moment out of time and place. Still not believing what she saw, Lily raised her gaze to his and their eyes met and clashed. Jake did want to kiss her. And even more astonishing was that she wanted it, too.
“Lily.” He breathed heavily and turned away from her, stalking to the opposite side of the room. “I think I will have something to drink after all.”
“Marmite?”
“Sure—anything.”
Lily was grateful that she had something to occupy her hands and her mind. Jake didn’t follow her into the kitchen, and she needed time to compose her thoughts. Good grief, what was happening to them? After all these months there wasn’t any logical explanation why they should suddenly be physically attracted to each other. Something must be in the air—but spring was nine months away. A laugh hovered on her lips as she pictured tiny neon lights that flashed on and off across her forehead, telling Jake: Kiss Lily. But Lily knew it wasn’t right. Jake was wonderful, but he wasn’t the man for her. Thank heaven he’d had enough sense to turn away when he did.
Lily carried a steaming cup into the living room and carefully handed it to him. She wasn’t so much afraid of being burned by the near-boiling water as she was fearful of her reaction if she touched him.
“I want you to attend that party with me.” Jake picked up the conversation easily, pretending nothing had happened, even though it was obvious they’d been a hairbreadth from hungrily falling into each other’s arms.
“Saturday?” Her mind filled with niggling thoughts. She was scheduled to work, but she would be free at nine; she could wear her new dress. No, that was a bit too daring for a first meeting.
“Do you or don’t you want to go?” Jake still hadn’t taken a sip of his Marmite.
“Sure. I’ll be happy to attend. Thanks for thinking of me.” That sounded so stilted, Lily instantly wanted to grab back the words and tell him how pleased she was that he’d thought of her and was willing to help her out.
“I’ll see you Saturday, then.”
“Saturday,” she echoed, and watched as Jake set aside his untouched drink and walked out of the house.
* * *
Lily didn’t see Jake for two days. That wasn’t as unusual as it was unsettling. It was almost as if they were afraid to see each other again.
During that time, Lily thought about Jake. She didn’t know what was happening, but it had to stop. Jake was the antithesis of everything she wanted in a man. He had no real ambitions and was perfectly content to live out his days aboard his sailboat, doing nothing more than writing short stories that didn’t pay. Usually he received three free copies of the publication in compensation for his hundred hours of sweat and toil. Sometimes Lily wondered why Jake wrote when each word seemed so painful for him. Jake was a paradoxical sort of person. He hid behind his computer screen and revealed his soul in heart-wrenching stories no one would ever read.
While Jake was perfectly content with his life, Lily desperately wanted to improve hers. She longed to explore the world, to travel overseas and dine in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. She yearned to see China and lazily soak up the sun on a South Pacific island. And she didn’t want to ever agonize over a price tag again. Bargain basements and secondhand stores would be forever behind her. But most of all, Lily never wanted to hear “Moon River” again.
* * *
On Saturday evening, Lily dressed carefully. Her dark curls were swirled high on her head and held in place with combs her father had brought from India when she was twelve. He’d died shortly afterward and Lily had treasured this last gift, wearing them only on the most special occasions.
At the end of her shift, with the thirty-ninth rendition of “Moon River” ringing in her ears, Lily stepped out of the hotel, expecting Jake to meet her. She didn’t see him, and for half a second panic filled her.
“Lily,” Jake said, stepping forward.
Lily blinked and placed her hand over her heart at the sight of the tall, handsome man who stood directly in front of her. She squinted, sure she was seeing things. “Jake, is that you?”
“Who else were you expecting? Prince Charming?”
“You’re wearing a suit!” A gray one that could have been lifted directly from the pages of GQ, Lily realized in bemusement. The simple, understated color was perfect for Jake, emphasizing his broad shoulders and muscular build. “You look wonderful!”
Jake ran his finger along the inside of his collar as if he needed the extra room to breathe properly. “I don’t feel that way.”
“But why?” She’d never seen Jake in anything dressier than slacks and a fisherman’s bulky-knit sweater.
“I don’t know. But knowing Rick, this party is bound to be an elaborate affair and it’s best to dress the part.”
Lily could hardly take her eyes from him. He looked dashing. Her gaze dropped to her own much-worn dress. “Am I overdressed? Underdressed? I don’t want to give the wrong impression.” Her insecurities dulled the deep brilliance of her eyes.
Jake glanced at her and shrugged. “You look all right.”
All right? She’d spent half the day getting ready, fussing over each minute detail. “I hope you know you’re about as charming as the underside of a toad.”
“Hey, if you want romance, try Hugh Jackman. I ain’t your man.”
“You’re telling me!” she huffed.
“Are we going to this thing or not?” He held the taxi’s passenger door open for her, but didn’t wait until she was inside before walking around the front of the car.
The first ten minutes of the ride down Golden Gate Avenue past the Civic Center were spent in silence.
Lily felt obligated to ease the tension. Both were on edge. “I didn’t know you owned a suit.”
Jake’s response was a little short of a grunt. The expensive suit had been Elaine’s idea. She was the one who’d insisted he needed some decent clothes. She had dragged him around town to several exclusive men’s stores and fussed over him like a drone over a queen bee. He’d detested every second of it, but he’d been so crazy about her that he’d stood there like a stooge and done exactly as she dictated. His weak-mindedness shocked him now. In thinking over his short but fiery relationship with Elaine, Jake was dismayed by some of the things he’d allowed her to do to him. The last party he’d attended had been with Elaine. He’d sat back and listened as she introduced him to her phony friends, telling them that Jake owned his own company and lived on a yacht. To hear her tell it, Jake was a business tycoon. In reality, he owned one taxicab that he drove himself, and his “yacht” was a ten-year-old, twenty-seven-foot, single-mast, fore- and aft-rigged sailboat that most of E
laine’s colleagues could have bought with their pocket change.
“Are you going to sit there and sulk all night?” Lily questioned, growing impatient.
“Men never sulk,” Jake declared, feeling smug just as Rick’s house came into view. Jake parked several yards away in the closest available space. His five-year-old Chevy looked incongruous on the same street with all the fancy foreign cars, so he patted his steering wheel affectionately as if to assure his taxi that it was as good as the rest of them.
Rick’s house was an ostentatious colonial style, with thick white pillars and a well-lit front entrance. Jake swallowed nervously. Old Rick had done well for himself, even better than Jake had assumed.
“It’s lovely,” Lily murmured, and sighed with humble appreciation. This was exactly the kind of home she longed to own someday—one with crystal chandeliers, Persian carpets, and gold fixtures.
“Lovely if you like that sort of thing,” Jake grumbled under his breath.
Lily liked it just fine. “Oh, but I do. Thank you, Jake.”
The genuine emotion in her voice was a surprise and he tore his gaze away from the house long enough to glance her way.
“I should have been more appreciative. I’d never thought I’d be able attend something as wonderful as this. Oh, Jake, just think of all the wealthy men who’ll be here.”
“I’m thinking,” he mumbled, pleased for the first time that he’d accepted Rick’s invitation.
If Lily was impressed with the outside of the house, she was doubly so with the interior. She resisted the urge to run her hand over the polished mahogany woodwork and refused to marvel at the decor for too long. A maid perfunctorily accepted their coats at the front door and directed them toward a central room where drinks were being served.
“Jake, old buddy.”
Lily felt Jake stiffen, but was proud of the way he disguised his uneasiness and shook hands with the short man with a receding hairline. Lily could easily picture the man as a successful attorney. She could see him pacing in front of the jury box and glancing acrimoniously toward the defendant.
“Rick,” Jake said with a rare smile. “It’s good to see you. Thanks for the invitation.”
“Any time.” Although he spoke to Jake, Rick’s gaze rested on Lily. “Jake, introduce me to this sweet cream puff.”
“Rick, Lily. Lily, Rick.”
“I’m most pleased to make your acquaintance,” Lily murmured demurely. “Jake has told me so much about you.”
Briefly, Rick’s enthralled gaze left Lily to glance at Jake. “Where did you find this jewel?”
Lily’s gaze pleaded with Jake not to tell Rick the real story of Gram confronting the Wheaton manager in full witch doctor’s costume, outraged over Lily’s starting wages.
“We met at the Wheaton,” Jake explained and Lily reached for his hand, squeezing it as a means of thanking him.
“Are you visiting our fair city?” Rick directed the question to her.
“No, I play the piano there.”
“A musician!” Rick exclaimed. “I imagine you’re a woman of many talents.”
Jake didn’t know what Rick was implying, but he didn’t like the sound of it. He bunched up his fist until he realized that Lily’s fingers were linked with his and he forced his hand to relax.
“Only a few talents, I fear,” Lily answered with such self-possession that Jake wanted to kiss her. “But enough to impress my friends.”
“Then I’d consider it an honor to be your friend.”
Lily batted her lashes. “Perhaps.”
From the way Rick’s eyes widened, Jake knew that Lily had impressed his old friend. A surge of pride filled Jake and he struggled not to put his arm around Lily’s shoulders.
Rick reached out to take Lily’s hand. “Do you mind if I steal your girl away for a few minutes?”
Jake did mind, but this was exactly why he’d brought Lily to the party. She would make more contacts here than during a year of playing piano at the Wheaton. “Feel free,” he murmured, lifting a glass of champagne from the tray of the passing server. He didn’t watch as Lily and Rick crossed the room, Lily’s arm tucked securely in the crook of Rick’s elbow.
The bubbling liquid in the narrow crystal glass seemed to be laughing at him and, almost angrily, Jake set it aside. He hated champagne and always had. He much preferred a hearty burgundy with some soul to it.
He found an obscure corner and sat down, giving anyone who approached him a look that would discourage even the most outgoing party guest. He could hear Lily’s laugh drift from another section of the house and was pleased she was enjoying herself. At least one of them was having a decent time.
Another waiter came past and Jake ordered ouzo, a Greek drink. Gram had given him his first taste of the anise-flavored liqueur she drank regularly. Lily claimed it had made her teeth go soft, and to be honest, the licorice-tasting alcohol had curled a few of Jake’s chest hairs. But he was in the mood for it tonight—something potent to remind himself that he was doing the noble thing. Now he knew how Joan of Arc must have felt as she was tied to the stake and the torches were aimed at the dry straw. No, he was being melodramatic again. What did it matter? He’d known all along that he was going to lose his Lily. But Lily wasn’t his; had never been his. He drank down the liqueur with one swallow and felt it sear a path to his stomach. Lily was his good friend. He’d do anything for her and Gram—well, almost anything.
Jake asked for another ouzo and drank it down with the same eagerness as the first. Another followed shortly after that. His eyes found a woman sitting on the sofa on the other side of the room, and she smiled. Hey, Jake mused, maybe this party wasn’t such a loss after all. Maybe Lily wasn’t the only one destined to have a good time.
He stood, surprised that a house as expensive as Rick’s had a floor that swayed like a ship at sea. Suavely, he tucked one hand in his pants pocket and paused to smooth the hair along the side of his head. There wasn’t any need to look like a slob.
Just when he was prepared to introduce himself to Goldilocks across the way, he heard the piano and stopped cold. “Moon River.” Oh no. Rick had convinced Lily to entertain him. Jake knew how she felt about that song. Rick couldn’t do that to Lily. Jake wouldn’t let him. Rushing forward, he raised his hand and started to say something when the floor suddenly, unexpectedly, came rushing up to meet him.
* * *
“Jake.” The soft, soothing voice sounded like an angel’s and Jake struggled to open his eyes. The piercing overhead light hurt and he lifted his hand to protect his eyes from the glare. He was astonished to feel heavy bandages wrapped across his forehead. His head felt as if little men were standing at his temples and alternately pounding away with miniature sledgehammers.
“What happened?” His words were barely audible. He swallowed and moistened his mouth, which felt like the bottom of San Francisco Bay.
“You’re going to be fine.”
Jake recognized the voice as Lily’s. “The hell I am.” The volume of his own voice caused him to wince. “What happened?” he repeated, much quieter this time. “Where am I?”
“You fell, and to be on the safe side, Rick insisted that we call an ambulance.”
Jake snorted. Sure, Rick would say that. He’d fallen in Rick’s house and Rick wanted to be damn sure Jake would have no cause to sue him.
“I’m at the hospital?”
“They’ve given you ten stitches. It was a nasty cut.”
Rolling his head to the side, Jake avoided the light glaring down at him from a thousand-watt bulb. Something was wrong, and his eyes refused to focus properly. Instead of the lovely gold dress Lily had worn to the party she was dressed in red. He tried to swing his legs off the table and properly investigate his circumstances.
“Jake,” Lily cried, her sweet angel’s voice laced with concern. “Lie still.”
“I want out of here.”
“Oh, Jake, no. Rick has insisted the hospital keep you overnight
for observation.”
“Like hell.”
“Would you stop swearing?” she admonished. “Now don’t worry about anything. Rick’s picking up the tab.”
Swear! If she knew the thoughts that were going through his head she’d blush from now until doomsday. “Lily, I want out of here. And for heaven’s sake, what happened to your dress? It’s covered with blood.”
Lily didn’t ever want to feel again the terror that gripped her the moment she’d seen Jake lying on the floor. She’d rushed to him and lifted his bleeding head into her lap. “Honestly, you scared me half out of my wits. Now don’t argue. I’ll be back in the morning. Just take care of yourself and don’t worry about a thing.”
“Lily.” His hand held her fast to his side. “How will you get home?”
“Don’t worry. Rick’s taking me. And before you feel guilty over my dress, Rick wants to buy me another one to replace it.” She leaned over him and lightly brushed her lips over his. “Good night, Jake. Sleep well and take care of yourself. I insist.”
The sound of her clicking shoes told him she was leaving. The feeling came again—the sensation that told him something was awry—and for the second time it had to do with Lily. Rick wasn’t right for her, either, and Jake had to find some way to put an end to that relationship before it got started.
Chapter Four
Holding a small bouquet of flowers, Lily traipsed through the hospital lobby to the open elevator, stepped inside, and pushed the button for the appropriate floor. She’d worried about Jake all night. He’d looked so pale against the starched white hospital sheets. Pale and confused. Lily should never have left his side, but Rick had convinced her that there wasn’t any more either of them could do. Jake had been given a shot and would soon be asleep. Nonetheless, Lily had lingered outside in the hall until the shot took effect, then reluctantly left.
When the heavy metal doors of the elevator parted, Lily stepped out eagerly. She had so much to tell Jake. He’d been such a dear to have taken her to the party. Everything had turned out beautifully—except for his fall, of course. Lily had met several men, all of whom had an aura of wealth. She prided herself on her ability to recognize money when she saw it. Rick had tried to buy her a new dress, since the one she’d worn to the party had gotten stained. But Lily had adamantly refused. The evening dress wasn’t ruined. Gram had used vinegar and a few other inventively chosen ingredients to remove Jake’s blood.