Lily's Mistake Read Online Free PDF Page A

picked up and dropped off at my house in Malibu. My closet is color coordinated, so it shouldn’t be too hard on you to figure out where it all goes. My dog, Skull, needs to be groomed.”
    I look up. “You have a dog?” I ask, astonished. He was never keen on dogs, ever.
    “I do. Skull’s been with me for about eight years now.”
    “Oh, but you hate dogs,” I counter.
    “Someone once told me that dogs can be the greatest of companions. They’re loyal to their owners and will love you unconditionally.” Is he for real? I told him that when I was sixteen and he was eighteen, playing a video game in my parents’ living room. He just recited it verbatim.
    “But, you hated dogs! You can’t just like them because I told you they’re great animals!”
    “People change, Lil. You have, from what I can see.”
    “Riiiight...” I murmur, more than confused. “Will that be all?”
    “Have lunch with me.” Before I can decline his offer, he continues, “We can talk more about work while we eat.” Okay, I guess if it’s about work then I can do it. 
    “When do you want to leave?”
    “I need to make a quick call, and then I’ll come and get you.” Drake delivers the words with finality.
    I give him a quick nod and walk out of his office.
    To be quite honest, I’m edgy where Drake’s concerned. I can’t read him—well I never really could—the man is an enigma. It’s baffling how he could grow up so guarded. Patricia and Hugh are the greatest of parents and the only people I know that Drake freely shows affection to—well, and my mom, of course.
    When I’m back in my new office, I do the first task on my notepad. Mindy is kind enough to send me all of Drake’s contacts. I call Lavern O’Malley’s office and speak to her assistant, setting up the business lunch date for Friday. Now, all I have to do is find a restaurant and call back the assistant to confirm the venue. I browse online to look for a restaurant when Drake knocks on the glass door. It makes that ‘thunk, thunk’ sound.
    “Ready to leave?” Drake peers around the door as he holds it open.
    “Of course.” Fetching my purse in the drawer, I stand up and step past him.
    There is something about this new Drake. It makes me feel uneasy. It’s like my every move is being analyzed, he’s studying me for some odd reason. Each time those steel, metal eyes zone in on me, I feel my heart palpitate. It’s very disconcerting.
    Mindy went to lunch five minutes ago, seemingly in a much better state than she was in earlier.
    The elevator ride is, well, quiet. There’s an uncomfortable silence, the easy feel kind, but crackling with tension, unsaid words and vehement intensity. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a wise idea to have agreed to have lunch with him.
    In different circumstances, this would’ve been a given ─doing a favor for a close family friend─working for him so he’s taking that person to lunch, it would be considered normal, but things between us aren’t normal and it’s tiresome to pretend that it is.
    The tension between us is incredibly palpable.
    “My car is through here.” Drake points at the entrance door. Of course, he won’t be parking his car in the employee parking garage like the rest of us. His car is situated and parked conveniently up front.
    “Swanky ride,” I comment when he fishes out his keys and unlocks the doors to his silver Maserati.
    “Thanks,” Drake mumbles as he holds the door open and I swiftly slide onto the black leather seat. I pull the seatbelt and buckle myself in, cringing when I get a whiff of something feminine; a faint smell of perfume lingering on the black strappy belt. Is it Shannon’s fragrance? Ugh!
    When Drake finally rounds around the car, slides inside and starts the engine, my heart speeds up along with the speedometer. Good Lord, this man drives like he’s racing in a Formula1.
    “Will you calm it down a bit, Drake? I’d love to arrive at our destination in one