Free Lily's Dream (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kiel Nichols Page A

shock and realization in his eyes.
    Tom didn’t even seem to notice how close Derek was standing. “Not on purpose. You just need more than I think Lily can give you.”
    Maybe Tom wasn’t as clueless about what Derek felt as Lily thought he was. He seemed to be aware of Derek’s sexuality.
    Derek sucked in a sharp breath.
    “And Lily needs someone gentle,” Tom finished.
    Jake winced.
    Lily had a bad feeling that, if she didn’t stop this, Tom was going to talk Jake out of being with her. Not that his intention was convincing Jake. “I’m not fragile,” Lily said hotly, breaking the spell and causing Tom to step back.
    Tom sent her a condescending look. “Lily, you’re just a sprout. Someday you’ll find someone who treats you special.”
    Lily purposely didn’t look at Jake. She put both hands on her hips. “I’m twenty-six years old, Tom. I hope you don’t think I’ve waited for some sweet vanilla guy to come along.”
    Tom flushed hotly and looked at Derek again. “Not him, stupid,” Lily snapped.
    Tom didn’t even look at Jake. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. “Who?”
    “Do you really want to hear about my sexual experience, Tom?” Lily said sarcastically. “If so, then I guess you’ll have to share yours as well.”
    “No.” It was all Tom said.
    “I didn’t think so.”

Chapter 9
     
    It had been three days and Lily hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Jake. She’d expected him to at least come by to work on the house like he had been. It finally occurred to Lily that Jake might be trying to end things simply by avoiding her.
    It’s not that Lily sat around waiting for him. She spent one day helping her mother get ready for her time in the hospital. She helped get the house ready and got her mother packed. Although Joyce said she wasn’t nervous, she still chatted away a mile a minute.
    The next day Lily had lunch with Trish and went shopping for baby clothes. Trish had just found out she was having a boy this time and wanted to indulge in all the little boy clothes. Lily couldn’t resist buying him little onesies and jumpers.
    By the third day with no contact, Lily was well and firmly pissed. To add to her anger, she was worried about her mother’s surgery. She cleaned her house like a fiend, trying not to think about the conversation she’d had that morning when she stopped by her mom’s house to check in.
    “Lily,” she’d said, “I know everything is going to be fine, but I want you to know where everything is just in case.”
    Her mom had sounded completely relaxed, but the words made Lily tense.
    Joyce had led her into her walk-in closet where she had a fire safe in the back corner. The key was in the lock. She opened the safe and took out a folder titled “just in case.” Taking the file, Joyce walked out to the dining room and put it on the table. She calmly sat down and opened it.
    Lily had followed behind her mother, dragging her feet. “Mom, I don’t want to talk about this. Everything is going to be fine tomorrow.” She’d tried to keep her voice calm and firm, but a slight tremor had broken through.
    “I know, honey, but I’ll feel better if I know you have the paperwork.” She opened the file and took out the top envelope. “This is my life insurance policy. I’ve already contacted the agent to tell him what was going on.”
    She’d moved it aside and took out a sheaf of papers. “These are the instructions for my funeral and the account with the money I put aside for it. Don’t spend more than what is here. I did the research so you wouldn’t have to.”
    Lily had stood mutely behind her mother, her eyes and her stomach burning. She firmed her lips to keep the trembling at bay.
    “My will is in here and a few letters I’ll want you to mail for me. There are a couple of letters for you and your brother as well.” For the first time, her voice had shaken a bit.
    Then she’d said with forced cheer, “It’s all in here so you don’t have to