“It’s not even an option for her anymore. I’m going to ask Mom and Dad to help out here too. As you know, Cody quit.”
“It’s about time,” Candi said.
“I had to have a little talk with her and she didn’t like what I had to say, so she thought it would be best to move on.”
“Smart girl.” Maddie smiled. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m going to try and get a flight out of here first thing tomorrow morning.”
Maddie and Candi both hugged me. “Good luck. You do whatever you have to and get her back.”
“Trust me; I will.”
I left the bar and called my parents. They said that they would be more than happy to help out at the bar while I was gone and my dad said not to worry about the paperwork or the books. As I was unlocking the door to my apartment, Lily walked out with two suitcases. She looked startled when she saw me.
“Let me help you with those,” I said.
“No need. I’ve got this.”
“Too fucking bad, Lily; I’m helping you,” I said as I grabbed one of her suitcases from her hand.
“Watch your mouth, Matthews.”
I silently smiled. I loaded her suitcase in the limo that Adalynn had sent over to pick her up. She climbed in and I stopped her from shutting the door. I poked my head inside.
“Have a good time in New York.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Little did she know that she’d be seeing me tomorrow.
28
Lily
I lay down on the plush king-size bed in the hotel room and took note of the bottle of champagne and plate of chocolate-covered strawberries sitting on the table in front of the window. I got up and walked over to find a card with my name on it.
“Enjoy your stay and have a great photo shoot.
Best, Ian and Adalynn, Prim Magazine”
I smiled as I set the card down and bit into a large, juicy strawberry. I had wished that Wyatt could have made the trip with me. But with his classes, he couldn’t. I didn’t know what I was going to do because I needed an assistant. I’d have to contact Adalynn and see if there was anyone here that would be willing to help. I walked into the bathroom and looked at the amazing sunken jet tub and decided it was time for a glass of champagne and a relaxing bubble bath. I started the water and got undressed. It was one in the morning here and I was still on California time.
As I poured myself a glass of champagne, I climbed into the bubbly tub and sank until the water reached my neck. I took a sip of my champagne and closed my eyes. I couldn’t stop thinking about Luke and his attitude before I left for New York. The way he grabbed my suitcase from me was a bit rough. Then the way he told me to have a good time in New York was weird. It sounded like he was happy that I was leaving. I didn’t know. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but he sounded different. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had wished he was here with me. Exploring New York with him would have been fun under different circumstances. Once I was finished with my bath, I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed. I was surprised at how quickly I fell asleep.
****
Luke
I checked into The Trump at ten a.m. Thank God my room was ready.
“Here you go, Mr. Matthews. You will be staying in room 2212. I’ll have the bellhop bring up your luggage.”
“Nah, that’s okay. I can take it up myself. Thank you.”
I boarded the elevator and rode it up to the twenty-second floor. This had to be the most beautiful place I’d ever stayed at. I was on the lookout for Lily but I hadn’t planned out what I was going to say to her when I saw her. I had a feeling once she saw me, she’d be pissed. I sent a text message to Gretchen, asking her if she knew which room Lily was in.
“Do you know what room number Lily is in?”
“No. Hold on a sec and I’ll see if Giselle knows.”
I waited and, after a few moments, a text message came through.
“She doesn’t know either. Sorry, Luke.”
“It’s okay. I’ll think of something.”
I left the hotel and walked a couple of blocks. It was going to be tough trying to find Lily here. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. After a couple of hours and a Starbucks later, I pulled out my phone to see if I had any messages. As I was walking, I accidentally ran into someone, which wasn’t hard to do in this city.
“I’m sor—” We both started to say at the same time as I looked up.
“LUKE! What the—”
“Lily. What a coincidence.” I smiled with relief.
“What are you doing here?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“Can we go somewhere else and talk so we’re not in the way of people?”
She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me over to the side. “Again. What are you doing here?”
“I came to talk to you.”
“You flew all the way to New York to talk to me?”
“Yes, and you’re going to damn well listen to me too!”
“Not right now I’m not. I have something to do,” she snapped.
“Whatever it is you’re doing, I’m doing it with you. You shouldn’t be walking around this city by yourself.”
She looked at me as she cocked her head. “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want. You are not my keeper and you cannot tell me what to do. Who the hell do you think you are, Luke Matthews?”
“I’m the guy who’s in love with you and needs you to listen; that’s who I am.”
Her sad but angry eyes stared into mine for a moment and then she looked away. “I am not talking about this here, and I’m not talking about this now.”
She turned around and started to walk away. I followed behind.
****
Lily
I couldn’t believe Luke was here in New York City. I was so pissed off at him, but then again, I wasn’t, if that made any sense. I reached the Trump and he followed me inside.
“Why are you following me? I’m going to my room and you’re not coming.”
“It just so happens that I’m going to my room too.”
I stopped in the middle of the lobby. “You’re staying here?” I asked.
“Yes.” He smiled.
“Do you realize how expensive this place is?”
“Yes.”
“You can’t afford that.”
“You don’t worry about what I can and can’t afford.” He smiled.
“Go home, Luke,” I said as I stepped onto the elevator.
“Nah, I think I’ll stay in New York for a while.”
I pushed the button to my floor and asked Luke which floor he was on.
“Same,” he replied.
“You’re on floor twenty-two?”
“Yep. I sure am.”
When the elevator doors opened, I stepped out and walked to my room. I looked over at Luke, who stopped at the door next to mine.
“No. No. No. That is not your room!”
He smiled as he inserted the card into the lock and opened the door. “Is this a coincidence or maybe something else?”
“FUCK!”
“Watch your mouth, babe.” He winked and then walked inside his room, shutting the door behind him.
I can’t believe this, I thought as I walked into the room. I threw my purse on the bed and paced the floor before grabbing a chocolate-covered strawberry and shoving it into my mouth. I grabbed my phone from my purse and called Dr. Blakely.
“Dr. Blakely’s office. How can I help you?”
“Regina, it’s Lily Gilmore. I need to speak to Dr. Blakely.”
“Would you like to make an appointment?”
“I can’t since I’m in New York. But, if she has a moment, I need to speak to her.”
“She’s in with a patient right now. I’ll give her your message.”
“Thank you, Regina. Please tell her that it’s very important.”
I sat down on the bed, tapping my foot on the floor. “
Call, call, call,” I said as I stared at my phone. Why was this so hard? Why couldn’t I make my own decision? Wait. I did. I made the decision to cease and desist. Okay, not in the form of a letter, but verbally. Why did his coming here have the profound effect of a smidge of happiness on me? Why did I suddenly feel comfort knowing that he was right next door? It was like we were back in California. My phone rang.
“Dr. Blakely, thank God you called.”
“Lily, what’s wrong? My secretary said you were in New York.”
“I had to go to New York for work. Luke flew in this morning. He said he wanted to talk.”
“He flew all the way to New York to talk to you?”
“Yes. What do I do? My head tells me to talk to him, but my heart is shaking in the corner and telling me no.”
“First of all, you need to calm down and take in a deep, cleansing breath. It’s inevitable, Lily, that you need to talk to him. We’ve discussed this already. It’s no longer an option and it seems to me that no matter where you go, he’ll always be behind you, waiting for that talk. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Lily, and you need to act like an adult and do the right thing.”
I gulped because I knew everything she said was true. I knew it before I called her, but I needed to hear her say it.
“Thank you, Dr. Blakely.”
“Baby steps, Lily. Baby steps.”
I hung up, grabbed my purse, and banged on his door.
“You do realize that this is a quiet hotel, right?”
“Don’t be like that with me,” I said as I gave him an evil look and walked into his room.
I heard him chuckle.
“This is how this situation is going to work. I need an assistant for the photo shoots and since you’re here, you’re going to help me. After we’re finished with work, then I will listen to what you have to say but, until then, and only then, there will be no talk of such.”
“Your terms, eh?” he asked.
“Yep. My terms. You game?”
“Sure. I’m game.”
“Okay.” I nodded my head. “Now, I need to go to Central Park. Are you coming?”
“I’m right behind you, but I have one question. Have you eaten yet?”
“I had a muffin,” I replied.
“A muffin isn’t a meal. So let’s go grab some lunch before we head to Central Park.”
“I pay for my own,” I said.
“Deal.”
We walked until we saw Rumours Bar and Grill. As soon as we stepped inside, we were taken to a booth. Luke told me that he had to use the bathroom and that he’d be right back. I watched him walk away and couldn’t help but stare at his fine ass – the one I was missing badly and I wasn’t the only one staring at him. The waiter came over to take our drink order so I ordered Luke a beer and a margarita for myself.
“I ordered you a beer since you weren’t here,” I said.
“Thank you.” He smiled as he picked up his menu. “What are you going to order?”
“I think I might get the Chicken BLT Wrap.”
“That sounds good. I’m looking at the Prime Rib French Dip.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious too. Shit, now I don’t know what to get.” My head was starting to hurt.
He looked at me and flashed his sexy smile. “Why don’t you order what you were going to? I’ll order the French dip and we can share it.”
We used to do that all the time. He would order one thing. I’d order something else and then we’d split it. I didn’t know if we should do that or not. Things between us were awkward and not normal, but what the hell, I really wanted to try that French dip.
“Okay.”
After setting our drinks in front of us, the waiter took our order. The place was hopping and crowded with people. It was your typical bar with big screen TVs lining the walls and a different sports game on every one. Once my eyes finished scanning the place, they caught the attention of Luke, who was staring at me.
“Why are you staring at me?”
Suddenly, he held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Luke Matthews and you are?”
I narrowed my eyes at him as I cocked my head and a half smile fell across my lips. I stuck out my hand and placed it in his.
“I’m Lily Gilmore.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lily Gilmore.”
Our hands were still locked when the waiter brought our food. His touch, which I’d craved, was comforting and I found myself having a hard time letting go.
29
Luke
Starting over. Reintroducing ourselves. I let go of her hand as soon as the waiter set down my plate in front of me. Her half smile, the look on her face; it was a start. Hopefully, the start of a new beginning for both of us. I picked up half of my sandwich and handed it to her. She picked up half of hers, and we exchanged.
“Thank you, Miss Gilmore.”
“Thank you, Mr. Matthews.”
“Why don’t you tell me a little about what I’ll be doing as your assistant?”
She explained about lighting and handing her different cameras and lenses. Just as long as I got to be with her, I didn’t care what I did. As we were eating, her phone beeped with a message from Brynn. She quickly typed a message back and then looked at me.
“How are you now with Brynn and Hunter? Please don’t get mad at me for bringing it up.”
“I found that the universe works in mysterious ways. I met Hunter so he could get together with my sister if that makes sense. The two of them were meant to be together and I see that now.”
“As in fate?” I asked.
She looked down as she dipped her French fry in ketchup. “Yeah. Maybe.”
There was still a hint of pain in her response. “So then all is good with you and them?”
I was trying to get a feel for how she might or might not forgive me.
“Things are okay, but they will never go back to the way it used to be. I think the thing for me is how they kept it from me, how I almost married him, and how they would have still went on together behind my back. That will always be in the forefront of my mind.”
Progress. She was talking to me the way she used to. She could have told me that it was none of my business, but instead, she chose to talk about it, which made me happy. We finished eating and we paid our own bill. I was going to have to respect her wishes if I wanted a second chance with her. I got up from the booth first and waited for her to get out before leaving the restaurant. As soon as she slid out from her seat, I placed my hand on the small of her back. We walked to Central Park and took in the beauty it had to offer. Lily had brought her camera and started taking pictures.
“Lily, look! It’s the Central Park Zoo. Let’s go,” I excitedly said as I grabbed her hand without even thinking about it. “Sorry,” I said as I looked down and let go of her hand. “I guess I got overly excited.”
She didn’t say a word. She just smiled. We each bought our own ticket and headed straight to the penguin exhibit. As we stood and watched them, the smile on Lily’s face never left. She loved the penguins just as much as I did. Our next stop was the snow leopards.
“Look at how beautiful they are,” she said as she took their pictures. “Did you know that their teeth are over four inches long?” she asked as she looked over at me.
“No, I didn’t know that. I would hate to get caught in a mouth like that.”
“I love their coloring. Did you know that their colors are so they can camouflage themselves in the mountains?”
“No,” I said as I arched one eyebrow. “Are you a snow leopard expert and just never told me?”
She laughed. “No. I was obsessed with them one time when I was a child and I wanted a baby snow leopard as a pet. My dad told me to do a lot of research and write a paper on the facts about them and he’d take it under consideration. Let’s just say that he was high when he said that and then denied he’d ever said it when he was sober.”
“That was really shitty.”
/> “Yeah, well, he was sometimes a shitty father.”
She walked away from the snow leopards and went over to look at the lemurs.
“Look! It’s King Julian!” She smiled.
“Is there anything special I should know about them?”
She laughed. “No. I never wanted one, but look at how cute they are. I may have to reconsider.”
I looked around and noticed a stand that sold stuffed animals. I told Lily that I needed to find a restroom and that I’d be right back. I made my way to the stand that I noticed earlier that sold snow leopard stuffed animals. I purchased one and then found Lily taking pictures of the red pandas.
“I found something,” I said.
“Really? What?”
I handed her the baby snow leopard with a smile. “He asked me if I knew your name because he wanted to go home with you.”
She took the stuffed animal from my hands. “Luke,” she said as she looked down.
“Now you have the baby snow leopard you always wanted. I thought since you did all that research, you deserved one.”
“Thank you,” she said as she held it up to her face and smiled.
****
Lily
Happy. That was how I was at the moment. He caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to do.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I just have a headache. Come on; let’s go see the other animals.”
I really wasn’t feeling well and after we looked at all the animals, we hailed a cab and took it back to the hotel. Luke put his hand on my forehead.
“Lily, you’re burning up. I think you may have a fever.”
“I don’t think I have a fever. I’m just really tired. I think I’m still jet-lagged.”
“You have a fever.”
When we reached the hotel, Luke told me to go to my room and that he’d pick up some Motrin from the gift shop. I did as he asked because I didn’t have the strength to argue with him. My headache was getting worse by the second. When I opened the door, I threw my purse on the floor, kicked off my shoes, threw myself on the bed, and closed my eyes. A few moments later, Luke knocked on the door. It took every bit of strength I had to get up and answer it.