Last night before bed, Lily had sent off a quick text to Ian, letting him know where she was. More than likely the Barringtons knew, but she figured she should at least let her agent know what was going on.
Not that it was anybody else’s business, but she didn’t mind if Ian shared where she was staying. These were complicated circumstances, after all.
Lily was thankful for the adjoining bath and it would serve Jake right if she spent the rest of her seven-day term in her room. No doubt Jake would show up at her door with trays of food so she didn’t have to get up. He’d take the bed rest seriously and he’d use it to his advantage—best she knew that going in. She was allowed to get up and move around, but for the most part, she was supposed to be down with her feet up.
She’d showered and changed into the dress Jake had picked out that day they had gone shopping. Damn it, he’d see this as a sign she was giving in. Little did he know most of her clothes were still back at the rental house and this dress just so happened to be in her suitcase...a suitcase he’d had Linda pack up and bring out to the estate. He was still taking control and she wasn’t sure if she was warmed by the fact or ticked that he still felt he had a right to be in charge of her life.
Pulling her wet hair up into a clip, she slid on her flip-flops and made her way downstairs. Before she could hit the landing the doorbell chimed, echoing throughout the house.
When Lily hit the bottom step, she glanced through to the foyer where Damon stood, hands in his pockets and glancing around as if he was just as uncomfortable being there as she was.
Was he here to see Jake or her?
Lily remained on the steps as Jake’s footsteps fell heavily on the hardwood floors.
“Damon,” Jake greeted. “This is a surprise.”
“I apologize for coming by so early,” Damon told him. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”
Jake nodded. “Liz is in the back making breakfast. We can go into the living room. Should I tell her to set an extra place at the table?”
Lily gripped the banister, feeling like perhaps she should slink back upstairs and not eavesdrop on this conversation. But she didn’t move.
“I can’t stay long,” Damon replied.
Jake nodded, leading the way into the living area. Lily slid down and sat on the step, grabbing the slender post for support. Damon was here for one reason: he was either ready to forgive Jake or he was letting him go. A portion of Lily’s heart broke for Jake. Even with all the lies and deceit, she worried how he would cope if he lost his father forever. Jake was a strong, determined man, but just discovering your parent and then losing him would be crushing.
“I’m not sure if I should be worried or glad that you showed up on my doorstep.”
Damon let out a brief chuckle. Lily couldn’t see the men now, but she imagined the elderly mogul shaking his head as she’d often seen him do when he laughed.
The silence fueled the tension. Lily’s heart beat so fast, she couldn’t even imagine how Jake or Damon were feeling right now.
“To be honest I’m not sure how I feel myself,” Damon admitted. “Your latest bombshell really spun me around so fast I didn’t know how to react. But I’ve had several days to think about it.”
Nerves fluttering in her stomach, Lily closed her eyes and waited.