28. Lily
Lily
M ost of my friends from boarding school returned home once they graduated. Those girls are scattered across the planet. Some of us keep in touch, but unless you’re living in the same city, virtual friendships are never the same.
The only reason Nadine and I are still besties is because we were two peas in a pod in boarding school, and she insisted on attending the University of Paris even though she could’ve selected any college in Paris because she speaks fluent French. She didn’t want to break our bond.
A friendship is a special gift. I always thought it was years in the making.
LA changed that.
It’s possible for strangers to become fast friends.
“The French afternoon tea I had with Michaela a few days ago was high up there on my list, but this…” I point to my dessert plate.
“I know, right?” Dominika digs in for another spoonful of lip-smacking Bakewell tart.
This new to me English dessert is heaven in my mouth .
“Stasia introduced the sisterhood to the Millennium Biltmore’s Rendezvous Court,” Dominika says. “It’s become one of our favorites.”
It still blows my mind I rub elbows with Stasia van Gameren––rocker chick goddess.
“I can see why,” I say. “It’s a level of olde-worlde chicness I would’ve never associated with the City of Angels. The handful of historic buildings I’ve visited all had modern interiors. Not this one. It’s old Hollywood. If I lived here, it would become a favorite as a brunch spot.”
“It can be if you come to school here or when you come visit,” Dominika says.
The prospect of spending more time with the sisterhood fills me with joy. That’s the only silver lining in attending film school in LA. That, and seeing Gage.
My eyes land on an elegant couple sitting at a table behind Dominika.
I’m grateful I don’t stick out like a sore thumb, given my missing suitcase.
I would’ve preferred wearing a dress, but I wasn’t about to buy more clothes.
Since this brunch invitation was last minute, I’m wearing the same outfit I wore a couple days ago.
Thank God the white sleeveless top with a pair of slim fitted raw silk three-quarter pants in fuchsia, which I paired with black satin Manolo Blahnik Hangisi heels are chic enough.
Dominika on the other hand is dressed for the occasion.
The dress she selected has bell sleeves, similar to the one she wore the first time I met her.
I never would’ve guessed a blonde could get away with wearing a yellow dress.
The emerald-green high heel peep toe shoes are a bold choice. The woman wears pregnancy well.
Her wardrobe selection isn’t the only surprise. I guess I was too overwhelmed the first time we met to take note of the tattoos peeking from her sleeve.
“This dessert is ridiculous,” she says. “The baby loves it. That’s my excuse for having a second slice.” She smiles wide. “You can blame a baby for everything and get away with it.”
She laughs.
I don’t.
A foreign sensation washes over me.
She has it all––a gorgeous, sexy husband who loves her, the sisterhood to support her, a kick ass career, and a baby on the way that will allow her to step into the next phase of her life.
She’s not a lost soul with a family that excels at ignoring her and giving her the cold shoulder.
That ruined my appetite.
I drop my spoon on the dessert plate and push it away.
“Are you okay?” Dominika is sporting a worried expression.
I force a smile. “I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I’m humbled you’d give up spending Sunday with your husband and his family to be with me. I could’ve totally played tourist today.” I skirt the issue.
She places a gentle hand on my forearm. “It’s my turn to sound like a broken record.
It’s a pleasure for me to spend the day with you.
Not to mention, I see my husband all the time.
” She waves a dismissive hand in front of her face.
“We live together. We carpool together. We work together. A little distance only makes a marriage stronger.” She winks.
“Noted.”
“When Gage sent a group text to the sisterhood to find out who could hang out with you, I was first in line.”
My cheeks burst into flames.
Gage was my alarm clock this morning again.
I could get used to waking up in his arms. Even though last night was a sex marathon that left me spent and satiated, we got entangled in a round of passionate morning sex that left both of us breathless.
I can still feel his massive cock inside me hours later.
After a shower that turned into another round of toe-curling sex, Gage announced we wouldn’t have a repeat of yesterday. He had other plans. His brother-in-law is celebrating a milestone birthday and his adoptive sister is throwing a big bash for her husband.
I was okay spending the afternoon at the pool, working on my tan. I didn’t expect he’d reach out to the sisterhood so I wouldn’t spend the day alone.
It’s chaos and confusion in my head. And in my heart.
He wasted no time bursting my bubble when he announced the festivities would last until late in the night, so I shouldn’t expect to see him tonight.
I should be thrilled he was honest and upfront. I have no right to be this disappointed.
“I’m touched he did that,” I say.
“If we were all tied up in family functions, he would’ve reached out further into the inner circle,” Dominika says.
My eyebrows hit my forehead in surprise.
“Cesar and Diana are in San Diego today, but Collin and Shane Dennison are around. Gage wouldn’t have hesitated to enlist them as your bodyguards for the day.”
“He didn’t have to go to that much trouble.”
“He’s made it his personal mission to look after you. Let him.”
I open my mouth to say something, but there’s so much to what she revealed.
Dominika studies me. “I haven’t seen that side of Gage in a long time.”
I’m not sure how to respond to that.
“I’ve known Gage well before he became a successful CEO,” she says.
“Three years ago, life served him a devastating blow, transforming him into the brooding man who can scare lesser men with a warning glare. Since the life-altering incident, he’s retreated into a shell, only surfacing to manage his empire. He was no longer Gage.”
“Does it have to do with his mom?”
Dominika places a hand against her chest. “It’s not my story to tell––”
“That’s what Mikki said.”
“It’s heavy.”
“It must be for all of you to be so hush-hush about it.”
She nods, her lips pursed.
I’m dying to know, but I’m only passing through town. These people don’t owe me their life story. Still, my heart bleeds for Gage.
“I know too well how devastating it is to lose a mother,” I say.
“From the little he’s told me about his parents, I don’t think Gage lost his mom at a young age like I did.
” I swallow past the lump of emotions. “It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like hell each time you’re flooded with memories of the woman who loved you unconditionally, and who was taken away too soon. ”
Dominika’s eyes hold mine. “We all have scars. Few of us are lucky enough to only have them on the outside. For most of us, our scars are buried deep––”
“For some deeper than others.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.” She lifts her sleeve, revealing the full effect of her colorful tattooed arm.
“Oh, wow, that’s stunning. You’re so brave. I’m way too chicken. That must’ve hurt.”
“It hurts less than the actual scars.” She traces a manicured finger along her arm.
Her skin is uneven.
My eyes fly up to meet hers. “You were hurt?”
“An evil man hurt me.”
I bring both hands to my heart. “I’m so sorry a despicable person did that to you.”
“The pain from the injury and the tattoo needle subside.”
I shift on my seat.
This is heavy conversation for a light-hearted brunch.
“Physical scars, heal. The scars that are here”—she taps against her temple—“and here”—she taps against her heart—“can hurt for a lifetime.”
“I don’t have any physical scars, but I have plenty here.” I tap against my heart.
“Welcome to the club.”
This woman, who from the outside has it all, carries baggage?
“All that to say, Gage has his fair share of scars.” She purses her lips. “For three years he’s denied himself pleasure.”
Is she talking about fun, or sex? It has to be the former.
“He’s a stoic beast clad in bespoke suits with anguish swimming in his gorgeous green eyes,” she says. “Anguish that runs so deep, no one could touch it. Heal it. That’s until you came crashing into his life…”
My heart flutters like crazy.
I don’t dare say a word.
“That was quite the statement he made at Rhys’s party,” she says.
A telltale flush spreads up to my hairline. “He wanted to talk in private.”
Gage wasn’t subtle that night. Damn caveman.
“Right.” Dominika nods. “And I’m about to give birth to the heir of the British Crown”—she caresses her belly—“instead of the first born to a reformed bad boy.”
Busted.
“You have a positive effect on our grumpy giant.” She smiles.
I’m shellshocked.
Something foreign tugs low in my heart.
I shake off my stupor. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit.” She holds my gaze. “You’re a unicorn, Lily––the woman who might have the superpower to fix Broken Gage Hollingsworth.”