“I was, initially, but a few hours and a few drinks have mellowed my stance.”
“He’s a mess, Lilly. I’ve never seen him like this, not once in my life. Jacob’s always held people at arm’s length or had such high standards that he bored of people within weeks. Then he met you. I knew it the first time I saw him look at you in the hospital. He never looked at anyone like that. He’s never been like this with any other woman.”
Lilly threw up her hands in an exasperated gesture. “Why are you telling me this, Janie? What do you want me to do?”
Janie shrugged. “I don’t know! I understand why you can’t give him another chance, I just hate seeing Jacob hurt.” She squeezed Lilly’s hand. “And seeing you hurt. It’s obvious how much you two care for each other.”
Lilly scoffed. “I beg to differ. It’s not obvious at all from my end. He didn’t choose me, Janie, he chose Victoria.”
“He’s trapped by Victoria, he didn’t choose her. I just hope that one day he’ll be free of her for good.”
“I guess that decision is up to him. At least it will be easier with him being so far away, for so long.”
Janie smiled sadly. “I don’t think it will be easier for either of you. He calls you his angel, Lilly. I tried to fight him for the title, said you were my angel, but he refused to share you. He said you walking away from him was the hardest thing he’s ever had to endure.”
“He still let me go,” Lilly choked out, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I don’t think he’s let you go, not by a long shot.” She pushed Lilly’s hair out of her eyes. “I love you, my beautiful friend.”
Lilly stood and hugged Janie. “I love you back. Lunch with Elizabeth next week?”
Janie nodded, heading to the car.
Lilly watched her friend pull away before entering her cottage, feeling numb inside. It was back to life as she knew it if that was even possible.
∞∞∞
Her life before Jacob Edmonton was predictable and safe. Life after that man was as intoxicating and deadly as oleander. You were drawn to its beauty even when you knew it would only end in despair. But Lilly didn’t regret one moment with Jacob, despite her broken heart. With Jacob, she opened the door to her soul, and in those unguarded moments, he awakened feelings in her that she didn’t believe possible.
Perhaps soon, she might move on with someone capable of loving her without restriction. But for now, she needed to forget Jacob Edmonton. Problem was, Lilly’s heart didn’t want to forget him, and her head didn’t know how.
∞∞∞
