"That's Briella's sister," she says it matter-of-factly as if the pain that bonds Lilly and I doesn't exist. It's the reason we've never sought each other out. I can't look at her and not see Briella in the contour of her jaw or the color of her eyes. She can't look at me and not see the promise of the future that her sister lost.
"Sophia." A petite, obviously pregnant woman approaches us. "This must be Nicholas."
My eyes dart to the other room and Lilly. She's still so engrossed in her conversation that she doesn't notice our presence.
Sophia reaches to hug the woman. "Isla, this is Nicholas Wolf."
Isla Foster's face immediately blushes red. "I'm your biggest fan. I know people say that to you every single day but they're all liars. I have read every book you've ever written at least nine times."
"I'm flattered," I say as I look at her face. She's pretty, young, her eyes a shade of blue similar to Sophia's.
"I can get you a drink." She grabs my hand. "I bought the brand of scotch Deacon drinks inBurden's Proof. I thought it must be a shout-out to your favorite. "
It was a subtly placed sponsor ad meant to drum up business for a failing liquor company. That was the brainchild of Cheyenne. I have no idea if their sales increased. I doubt it since they haven't contacted us for a new deal. "That'll be fine."
Sophia shoots me a look. "Can you give us a minute, Isla? I have to ask Nicholas something."
Disappointment wages war with confusion on her face. "I'll be in the kitchen getting a scotch and a glass of red wine for you, Sophia."
When she's finally out of earshot, Sophia tugs on the lapels of my suit jacket, so I turn until my back is to Lilly. "We can leave, Nicholas. If you don't want to talk to her, we can go."
I've run from my past for eight years. I've avoided Lilly at social gatherings. On the anniversary of Briella's death, I've always stayed offline. There are too many articles, tributes and remembrances to the family who lost their lives that day.
Lilly's face is always in the midst of it all. The organ donation app she developed is dedicated to the family she lost. She's turned her tragedy into a triumph. She's helpedthousands of people find an organ match. Beyond that, she's been instrumental in introducing organ recipients to their donor families. Stories of those meetings have punctuated daytime television for the past two years.
I feel a faint tap on my shoulder and I know. I fucking know that I can't run now.
Sophia inches to the side so she can look behind me. I won't let her bear the brunt of this for me. I have to face Lilly, so I do.
I turn on my heel and look right at her. Her eyes fill with tears. "Nick. It is you."
"Lilly." I hold out my arms praying she'll hug me.
She moves forward quickly, her arms circling me. "I thought I'd never see you again."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sophia
I satthrough dinner quietly watching Nicholas as the weight of the world slowly left his shoulders. We haven't spoken at length about what his relationship with Lilly was like after her sister's death but judging by what I saw tonight; they've turned a corner.
Isla met Lilly at a mom and baby swimming lesson late last year. They hit it off immediately and have since become friends. When Gabriel suggested to her that they host a dinner party, she thought Lilly and her husband Clive would be excited to meet Nicholas because of his notoriety. She had no idea about the history of Lilly and Nicholas. Gabriel was just as stunned when Lilly described their unique bond.
"Tonight went well." Nicholas reaches for my hand. We've been in the car for more than five minutes and neither of us has said a word to the other. He's been deep in thought and I haven't wanted to interrupt that. "I'll see her for lunch in a week or two. I'd like you to be there."
It's an invitation I want to refuse, but I won't. If he wants me by his side, I'll do it. "I can make it."
"Sasha will let you out of the design dungeon for an hour or two?"
I lean against his shoulder as the driver maneuvers the streets of Manhattan toward my apartment. "It's not a dungeon. I love being there."
He squeezes my bare knee. "It's where you belong."
I know he's right. I only spoke to Gabriel briefly about the upcoming exclusive viewing event we have planned for some of Foster Enterprises employees. There won't be more than a dozen people there, but their opinion matters to Gabriel and if I can impress them, the anxiety that has haunted his expression for weeks will ease.
Launching a new line is a monumental and risky undertaking. Doing it with a new designer at the helm comes with even more trepidation.
"I have to sleep sometimes," I joke segueing into the question I've been longing to ask all night. "I wouldn't mind having someone on the other side of the bed tonight."
