Page 76 of For My Finale
The shrill ring of the hotel phone jolted Lilah out of her thoughts. She’d been staring at the window, watching the slow drizzle of London rain streak the glass. She hadn’t slept. How could she? The interview, the weight of Margot’s words, the crushing loneliness of her hotel suite. It had all tangled together in her head, leaving her feeling restless and raw.
She ignored the phone the first time, but it rang again, insistent. With a sigh, she finally reached for it. “Yes?”
“Ms. Paxton, someone is here looking for you,” the receptionist said, her voice polite and firm.
Lilah stiffened. “Who?”
“They didn’t give a name, just asked if you were available. I thought it best to inform you, it’s hotel policy.”
The press, most likely. Again. They were relentless, circling like vultures now that she was back in their world. Her first instinct was to tell the receptionist to send them away. But instead, she simply muttered, “I’m not available,” and hung up.
The knock on her door sounded almost immediately after she put the phone down and Lilah groaned.
“Don’t ignore me,” Margot’s voice came through the door. “We have a meeting with Martin Leyland at four. Don’t be late.”
Lilah hesitated before cracking the door open. Margot stood there in an impeccable navy blazer and trousers, her hair perfectly styled, phone in one hand, espresso in the other. She looked Lilah up and down with a critical eye.
“You look terrible,” Margot said bluntly.
“I feel terrible,” Lilah shot back, stepping aside to let her in. She did feel terrible. But a thought was starting to coalesce in her mind. There weren’t only two options. It wasn’t have Blossom or have a career. There was a third option, one in which she chose neither of those things. One where she disappeared somewhere else altogether.
Margot made a beeline for the couch, perching on the edge of the arm like she didn’t intend to stay long. “Well, get yourself together. This is a massive opportunity, Lilah. Martin Leyland.”
Lilah bit her lip and folded her arms. “I don’t think I want this anymore.”
There was a second of silence, then Margot stood up. “Bullshit.”
“I’m serious.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m being honest,” Lilah corrected. “This life just isn’t for meanymore.”
Margot put her phone in her pocket just so that she could pinch the bridge of her nose like she was getting a migraine. “You don’t get to just walk away, Lilah. We’ve talked about this. You built this career. We built it. We fought for it. We sacrificed for it. You’re not just throwing it away for… for whatever this phase is.”
Lilah let out a breath. There was no arguing with Margot when she got like this. She said nothing.
Margot narrowed her eyes. “I’ll see you later for the meeting.”
With that, she tottered out on her heels, espresso still in hand.
Lilah waited until the door clicked shut before running a hand through her hair. She needed air, needed to think.
She grabbed a scarf and a pair of dark glasses, disguising herself the best she could, and decided to take the stairs rather than the elevator. Whoever had been looking for her was probably still lurking about.
When she stepped out into the hotel foyer, she kept her head down, moving briskly toward the back entrance. But then…
Lilah’s step faltered.
She took a second look, heart pounding.
Sitting calmly in one of the lobby chairs, looking completely at ease in an old leather jacket and a pair of scuffed boots, as though she belonged in the pristine, marble-floored world, was a familiar figure. Her legs were crossed, one foot bouncing idly, but her eyes were sharp, scanning the room.
Lilah’s breath caught.
Ives was here.
Chapter Thirty-Two
