LillyThe weekend came and went.It was one of the best weekends I’d ever had. We went strolling through the mountains of Western Maryland and then camped overnight by the lake. The kids were so worn out by the time we set up camp and had a fire going, they were out cold before the last ray of sun disappeared. Once we safely tucked the kids into the sleeping bags in the tent, Chance and I sat in front of the campfire perfectly content.“This was a great idea.” Chance’s hot breath against my ear sent shudders down my spine. With my back pressed against his chest and his strong arms around me, we sat facing the fire.“I have a few great ideas up my sleeve.” I shot him a look over my shoulder, a smile on my lips and he bent his head to press his lips against mine. He tasted my mouth and sucked on my tongue. Kissing this man was sinful and sweet.“We should do this every year,” he suggested, and my heart skipped a beat. Or possibly several beats.“I agree.” My voice came through a bit sha
Chance“Her for defamation and break her,” I ordered.The Ashford brothers would rip into Jacqueline too. She fucked up big time when she set her sights on Lilly, trying to destroy her. Pulling the Ashfords into her game, even dumber. She stood no chance.Landon grinned from the opposite side of the table. Byron found himself here too. “How much for all of this shit to go away?” I asked.“And just so we’re clear,” Byron grumbled. “Money is no object. I want that shit off the internet and whoever published it fucking destroyed.”Landon’s smile got even bigger. There was nothing more he liked than ripping people apart. He was a sick motherfucker, so it was good that he worked for me.“How long until you contain the scandal? I want her pictures removed from the web. She has daughters, and this isn’t something she takes lightly.”Fuck, she’d surely blame me, and I couldn’t even fault her for it. I pursued her without regard for her privacy. Last night I called Rick and I ripped into him.
LillyThe moment I spotted Rick, my spirits lifted. After all, I’ve known him for almost two decades. We got along better than Jack and I. He understood me better than Jack.“You look tired.” Rick mumbled into my hair as he hugged me, then spun me around.I giggled. Probably not a good scenario if caught by the paparazzi.“Geez, thanks! You don’t look so great yourself,” I scoffed.In his suit, he looked much older than his thirty-four years. It was probably why Noona preferred him wearing suits. She didn’t want anyone to get wind that he was six years younger.“I got us some food.” He pointed to platters on the table. “Strawberry poppyseed salad, and a Mediterranean sandwich, just in case you’re not in the mood for a salad.”Oddly, my stomach churned but I ignored it. It had been a weird day.“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”“It’s on me.” He grinned wide. “I want to hear all the details about what the hell is going on.”I groaned, shooting a glance over my shoulder. “It’s a long s
Lilly“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Rick asked for the tenth time since we left D.C. Thankfully, this would be the last time for his question because we were in front of my home. Even better was that all the paparazzi were gone. Chance must have come through with his promise of fixing it all. “Noona can stay with you,” he suggested.Another wave of nausea rolled through me. God, I’d kill for ginger ale.“I’m sure,” I assured him as I pulled on the door handle of his BMW. He’d need Noona to take care of him. “Have your wife put ice on your face when you get home. Otherwise, you’ll look like Rocky tomorrow.”He choked out a laugh. “If I was Rocky, your boss would have never landed a punch.”I leaned over, pressed a kiss on his cheek. “I’m sorry this happened.”He waved his hand. “It happens every day.”I rolled my eyes, and exited the car. “Tell Noona I’ll call her later.”Shutting the door, I watched him drive away. And the entire time my doctor’s words played on repeat in my mind. Ch
LillyAs I sat behind my desk, I nervously waited for an open window to catch Chance. I’d been at work for two hours, but he’d sent a message to Kimberly and I not to be disturbed.The message I sent him last night showed he’d seen it, but no response came. Only one missed call. From my boss. God, I hoped Chance would take the news well. He was good with my daughters, but we never talked about children. It was a moot point since I couldn’t have any more. Or at least I thought so.“How are you feeling?” Kimberly startled me out of my thoughts. “You’re still pale.”It’ll be my complexion for a while.“Much better today.”I glanced toward the door where the man who stole my heart sat behind his executive desk. Still no word and lunchtime approached rapidly.I stood up and smoothed down my skirt. Black pencil skirt and white blouse. I couldn’t handle green today. My fingers trembled and I interlocked them together. I knocked on the door, determination settled deep in the pit of my stomach
Lilly“Thank you for picking me up,” I said again.Noona drove like a goddamn maniac but it was better than taking Chance’s car. Regardless of whose name was on the title.“I want to kill the fucker,” she growled, though it looked a tad bit comical.“I knew Dr. Packard would see you right away,” she continued, abruptly changing subjects. “At thirty-five, you're at a higher risk.”I sighed. “Thirty-four.”She waved one hand, then glanced at the clock. “We’ll have five minutes to spare.”We were ten minutes away from my OB/GYN.“Not if you kill us with your driving in the process,” I muttered.I had to wonder about life’s funny ways. It took me years to get pregnant with Saoirse, and took three years to get pregnant with Sierra. But apparently with Chance it took no time at all.“I’m just so fucking mad,” she continued. “I could spit fire. I don’t understand why you’re so calm.”I turned to gaze out the window, the blur of trees in my vision. “It wouldn’t be good for the baby to get up
LillyFriday. Departure day. Putting the past behind me.It was a little past noon when Rick came through my door.“Hey beautiful girls,” he greeted. Everyone screeched and ran to give him a hug.“Are we going now?” Saoirse asked, ready to get her adventure started.“We have a few hours,” he kneeled down as he responded. “Go through your room and double check you haven’t forgotten anything.”She nodded and sprinted up the stairs. Rick sauntered to me, pecking me on the cheek. His eye was still bruised.“Hey there, Rocky.”“I wish I could say you should see the other guy, but I never punched him back,” he mused.“I know,” I patted his cheek gently. “You took the high road.”“So, what are you and Noona up to, taking off to Croatia?”“Kind of spur of the moment, you know,” I answered blushingly, uncomfortable with my lies. “Thanks for letting her join me in a few weeks.”“Ahmmm,” he added pensively. “I don’t buy it. Why don’t you try again?”I glanced at him exasperatedly. “You are such
TWO WEEKS LATERI miscalculated. Misjudged. Bottom line, I fucked up.Staring at the text message, I was left hollow. Empty. For a week straight, I’d gone back to the message and read it again and again.Pregnant. Twins. Left.My gut wrenched. My chest cracked.I pushed her too hard and wanted too much. My jealousy. My fucked-up, arrogant ways. My temper. My blind jealousy. I fought so hard to keep her and lost her anyway.After that text, I drove to her house to find it fucking empty. I called her. Over and over again. I had private investigators looking for her. Her house in Croatia, the one she let my mother use. Nothing. The town where she lived with her parents. Nothing. I even went after Rick and Noona, until those two disappeared too. They landed in Zagreb and then fucking nothing.The day she walked out my door replayed over and over again. Every look. Every word.She’d said goodbye that day. Except I was too stupid to hear it.I recalled the way her dark eyes flashed with hur