Page 53 of Kissing the Debutant
“Yes, gotta go.” She hung up and sucked in a breath before opening the door to find both Jack and Cara standing on the other side.
Jack stared at her in confusion, but Cara smiled.
“How much did you guys hear?”
Jack lifted a brow. “Well, the walls of this house are paper thin, so…” He spread his hands.
“All of it. Great.” Lillian shouldn’t be allowed in public. She’d trained for ballet her entire life, not social interactions.
“Family!” A deep voice boomed through the house.
Cara gave Lillian one final smile before turning and rushing toward the front door.
Jack stepped closer. “So, you, uh, know my mom?” He pulled on the back of his shirt.
A laugh bubbled out of her, and she couldn’t help it. This whole situation was ridiculous. “Kind of.”
“And you told her you liked it when I touched you?” He reached out, skimming his hand up her arm to the hollow of her neck.
She nodded, unable to speak.
He closed the distance between them, dipping his head. “And when I kiss you?”
Her head bobbed of its own accord.
His lips brushed hers, a featherlight touch when she wanted so much more.
“Not exactly information I expect my mom to know.” His laugh vibrated against her lips. “But she has a habit of making people trust her.”
“I did,” she whispered. “I trusted her.” She’d told Cara things she’d never dream of telling her own mother. Cara got deep truths while her mom only got lies.
Lies like how Lillian had a date from the academy for the debutant ball.
Footsteps coming down the hallway broke them apart, and Lillian turned to take in the burly Mr. Butler. A smile just as bright as his wife’s stretched his lips despite the weary look in his eyes. Lexi and Wyatt trailed excitedly behind him.
“Jacky,” Lexi called. “Daddy’s home.” Her little voice held so much joy.
Mr. Butler carried two pizza boxes in one hand, but he wrapped the other arm around his son. “There’s my boy.”
“Hey, Dad.” Jack didn’t shy away from his dad’s embrace. His smile widened as his family surrounded him. “Dad, this is Lillian. Mom, I hear you already know her.”
Cara surprised Lillian by pulling her into a hug. “Jack, I didn’t know the girl you were spending so much time with was my Lillian.”
My Lillian.
Not even Lillian’s mother would call her that, and she didn’t know Cara, not really.
“Mom.” Jack grinned. “You can let her go now.”
Cara pulled away with a sheepish expression on her face. “Forgive me if I’m happy the boy she’s been kissing is my son.”
Lillian’s cheeks flushed.
“Kissing?” Mr. Butler boomed indignantly. “Who has been kissing? My son is too young for such things. He’s only seven!”
“Dad.” Jack swatted him. “Stop, you’re going to scare her. No one has been kissing Wyatt.” He turned to Lillian. “Ignore him. He likes to make jokes that aren’t funny.”
Mr. Butler frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m hilarious.”
