The Celtic Knot. Shannon MacLeod

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      Lily’s phone rang before eight on Saturday morning, and she groaned aloud when she caught sight of the caller ID. “Morning, Lucas. It’s awful early, don’t you think?”

      “I got to bed at a reasonable hour last night,” he chided. “Need you to come in today. I’m going over commission statements.”

      Lily’s silent internal tantrum went on for a long moment before she gave up. “I’ll be down there quick as I can.”

      Damn, damn, damn, she groused, yanking her hair into a loose ponytail and throwing on a pair of faded jeans. She selected her favorite Horizon World Domination Tour t-shirt out of sheer pique, knowing how much Lucas disliked the loud and rowdy rock band.

      They worked together in silence, but around one, Lucas suggested they break for lunch at the barbeque place next door. He wolfed his food down then helped himself to Lily’s plate, taking what she didn’t finish. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he began. “The old man is finally handing over the agency to me and we need to start thinking about the future.”

      Lily froze. The pulled pork sandwich she had eaten became a lead weight in her stomach.

      “I want you to have your producer license before we get married…”

      Lily remembered the earlier discussion between her and Beth and decided to test the waters. “What about Bella?” she asked.

      “Who?”

      “Bella. My cat,” she reminded him.

      Lucas looked as if he had just smelled something bad and shrugged. “There’s no reason why she can’t stay outside, I guess. I don’t want her in my house, though.”

      “Bella’s not staying outside. She’s an indoor cat,” Lily said firmly. “That point isn’t negotiable.”

      “I bet she sleeps with you, doesn’t she?” he said, helping himself to the last roll. “Well, you won’t need the cat anymore because you’ll have me to snuggle up next to. I hope you don’t mind me saying it, but I’m looking forward to our wedding night.” He took her hand, smiling down at her abstinence ring. “I’m glad we decided to wait for each other.”

      His eyes are so…flat looking. Lifeless. Not like those beautiful emerald eyes…Lily started in surprise, wondering what had elicited the stray thought. She plastered a smile on her face and pulled her hand back as soon as politeness allowed. “We should probably get back,” she said.

      Looking startled by her abrupt change of mood, he waved for the check. Lily dug around in her purse for some cash, knowing he expected her to chip in. And he’ll keep that receipt to write off lunch even though you’re paying half, her inner voice grumbled. They walked in silence back to the office and once again tackled the bookkeeping. After an hour, Lucas spoke up. “Why don’t you pick up a pizza and come over later?”

      “I can’t,” Lily said carefully. “I’m working tonight and it wouldn’t be fair to them to call in this late in the day.”

      “Whatever,” he snapped. “Nice to see your priorities are in order.”

      His lips pressed together in palpable annoyance, and when she left at four, he never even looked up.

      The evening got off to a slow start but Lily didn’t even notice it had gotten dark until Esmeralda gave her a nudge. “Why don’t you take a break, stretch your legs,” the older woman suggested. Lily had been dying to explore a little when the park was open and a slow night seemed the perfect opportunity to meander the spider web of streets.

      You’re looking for him, her little voice accused.

      “No, I’m not,” she insisted, wandering down street after street and browsing the myriad of goods for sale. More than once she stopped to pose with park patrons eager to have their photo taken with someone in authentic costume. She was nearly at the opposite end of the park before she finally admitted СКАЧАТЬ