Page 48 of For My Finale
Her instinct was to run out into the street and yell the news to the world, but she’d made promises. They’d agreed to keep things quiet. Instead, she grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message to Ives.
I kissed Lilah. Well, she kissed me. But I kissed her back! Holy shit.
She stared at the screen for a second, waiting, but there was no immediate response. And no wonder. It was late, Ives was probably asleep.
Blossom took herself to bed. But for a long time, she lay awake, staring at the dark ceiling, wondering what further surprises Lilah Paxton might bring to her life.
And thinking that it would be exciting to find out.
Chapter Twenty
Lilah sighed in contentment as the morning light streamed through the windows of the little cottage, golden and warm. For once, the weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, just a crisp breeze carrying the scent of fresh grass, and not a sign of any animals. She sipped at her cup of coffee, only instant, but still better than whatever the hell Horlick’s was, and smiled to herself.
Life really was starting to come together. And in ways that she hadn’t expected. The memory of last night’s kiss lingered on her lips and she literally had to concentrate to stop herself laughing out loud like some kind of maniac.
Blossom.
There was a turn up for the books.
The first thing she’d truly wanted in what felt like years. The first sign, perhaps, that things were turning around, that she was going to figure things out here, find a place.
She glanced down at the shopping list on the counter, double-checking that she had everything written down. Bread, eggs, milk, things that once upon a time she’d never bought herself. They’d just appeared in her refrigerator like magic. Grinning, she finished up her coffee, thrust the list into her pocket, grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
Just as she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and groaned when she saw Margot’s nameflashing on the screen. She took a second to lock the cottage before she answered with a swipe.
“Lilah, darling.” Margot’s voice was as smooth as ever, all charm and sugary sweetness. “I was just thinking about you. It’s been too long.”
“Ir’s been two days since the last time you called, that hardly qualifies as long,” Lilah said tartly, stepping onto the path that led toward the village. “And it’s about three in the morning over there, you can’t have just thought about me.”
“A good agent never sleeps,” purred Margot. “You know that. And besides, I wanted to check in. You know, just in case you’ve finally come to your senses and realized how much you miss the real world.”
“The real world?” Lilah said, eyes rolling of their own accord.
“You know, civilization. Film sets, premieres, parties. Actually being someone.”
Lilah exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay patient. “Margot, I’ve already told you. I’m not coming back, as much as I appreciate your persistence.”
Margot made a noise that sounded like a snort. “You say that now, but surely you must be tired of life in the land of cow dung?”
“Actually, life is absolutely perfect in the land of milk and honey,” said Lilah, grinning again with satisfaction as she walked. “The air is fresh, the people are nice, I might have—” She stopped herself, but the mistake was already made.
“You might have what?” asked Margot.
Lilah groaned. It was either answer the question or be bombarded with calls until she did. “I might have kissed someone.”
There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line. “Oh,” Margot finally said. “That’s… unexpected.”
“Life is all about the unexpected,” Lilah said. “So, clearly, I’m building something here and I’m not about to come back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got things to do. Village things. Important things.”
She hung up, interrupting Margot in mid-dramatic sigh.
With a deep breath, she slid her phone into her pocket and continued toward the village, feeling lighter than she could remember feeling in years.
Once in the small village shop, she grabbed the things she needed and put them on the counter. Mrs. Wilkins gave her an approving nod. “Nice and sensible,” she said. She raised a questioning eyebrow. “You won’t be wanting any tiger claws or squid urine or anything, then?”
“I think you mean bear claws and squid ink,” said Lilah patiently. “But no thank you, just the normal bread, milk, and eggs will do.”
“I should think so too,” said Mrs. Wilkins with a sniff.
