Instead, she was somewhat surprised to find four texts from a number she didn't recognize.
Lily? This is Dominic. What happened?
I'm truly sorry if I did something that freaked you out. I wouldn't have pushed you if I thought you weren't on the same page.
Usually I'm a good judge of women's reactions. Apparently, I fucked up this time.
Please forgive me.
Renewed tears fell. The last text had come twenty minutes ago. Should she respond?
She decided not to. If she opened communication with him, the dam would break. He had a power over her she couldn't stop. He would get every detail out of her in less than a heartbeat.
No. Better to ignore him for today. And tomorrow. After the reception … Then what?
"Fuck."
Chapter Four
"Everything okay last night?" Zia asked as Lily helped put her mascara on.
"Yes. Of course. The usual. Alarm went off. I had to meet the cops there. It happens." She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. Okay. I'll buy that story. But what about before that? You and Dominic were very weird together."
Lily cringed. "You think anyone else noticed?"
"No. Not even Brett. Or at least he didn't say a word. But he doesn't know you like I do. And what was up with you not drinking wine last night?"
Lily shrugged. "I wasn't in the mood?"
"Liar." Zia narrowed her gaze. "I figured it had something to do with keeping your head on straight around Dominic. But now you're making me doubt my assumption."
Lily kissed Zia on the cheek, barely touching her foundation to avoid smudging her. "Don't worry. Everything's fine. It's your day. Let's concentrate on getting you married, and we can hash out my personal life another day. After you get back from Hawaii."
"Remind me why I insisted on a Valentine's Day wedding? Brett has to report to spring training in ten days. We could have had weeks of leisurely vacationing if we had planned this wedding for a nice day in January." She groaned.
Lily smiled. "I have no idea. Guess you thought it was romantic. And it will be. For about ten days every year."
"Guess it's not forever. He's not still going to be heading off to spring training when he's sixty." She smiled at herself in the mirror as Lily stepped out of her line of vision.
"There. Mascara's perfect. Let's get you into the dress."
Zia grabbed Lily's hand before she could walk away. The look on her face was serious. "I want you to know how much this means to me. You being such a good friend and really my only relative today."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. You're like a sister to me."
"If I had a sister, I would want her to be you also." A tear leaked from the corner of Zia's eye.
"Stop that. You're going to smear." Lily dabbed the drop with the corner of a tissue. She faced her best friend and held her shoulders. "I'm sorry your mom is estranged and you don't know if you even have other family members. I can't imagine what that must be like on a day like today. But you know I'll always be here for you."
Zia nodded. And as if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. "Can I come in?" It was Brett's mom. The woman was the absolute sweetest. If Zia was going to add a family to her life, she'd picked well.
Monica, Brett's sister, was with her mom. Befriending that woman was also a godsend.
Lily eased out of the room to let the women have some time together. It was more appropriate for Monica and Mrs. Michelson to help Zia with her dress.
Lily leaned against the wall outside the door and closed her eyes. She hadn't slept more than a few minutes at a time the entire night. Every time she finally fell asleep, she jerked awake, her gaze darting around the bedroom as if she expected Luke to be standing at the end of her bed.
Someone cleared their throat, and Lily nearly jumped out of her skin. She pressed a hand to her chest and righted herself.
Dominic.
"Hey." She forced a smile and glanced around. Was it possible Luke was watching her even now?
Dominic didn't return the greeting. He didn't look happy, either. Without a word, he grabbed her by the elbow and lured her to the next door on the hallway. Seconds later, they were inside what appeared to be a children's Sunday school classroom. The lights weren't on, but there was enough light coming through the windows to cast a glow.
Dominic gently eased her against the wall next to the door. They stood out of the path of anyone glancing through the glass window on the heavy wooden door.
Lily flattened her hands on the wall beside her while Dominic set his hands on both sides of her head and leaned in, his brow furrowed as he searched her face for answers he wouldn't find. "You ran out on me."
"I had to get to the gallery. The police were waiting for me. It happens sometimes," she rambled. "The alarm occasionally goes off for no reason, but they're always careful."