“I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT we should do tonight,” Cayden said two days later. It was morning, in L.A. They’d been there a couple days and things had been go go go since arriving. Katharina didn’t like to wait, not that Lily minded. However, Cayden’s early morning wake-ups were sometimes too early. He began nuzzling against her neck.

Lillian yawned, partially annoyed, partially jealous at how awake he was. “Someone’s ready to get started with their day,” she grumbled, snuggling up next to him. “Shhh... let’s go back to sleep.”

Too excited to cuddle, he sat up and started playing with her fingers. “Guess what I have in mind.”

“Sex?” Maybe a quickie and she could sleep for another ten minutes. She opened her eyes halfway, trying to focus on his handsome face.

“Besides that,” he winked, “but that, too, of course. But, no, guess what else I have in mind.”

“I don’t know, Cayden,” she said, trying to pull the covers up over her head. “It’s too early.”

“It’s never too early for fun.”

“You want to do something this morning?” she asked. “I have to go work on Katharina’s guest house and—”

“Not this morning,” he corrected. “Tonight.”

“I really don’t know. Coffee first, then I’ll try to guess.”

“Here’s a hint: we didn’t get to do it last time you were here in Los Angeles.”

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of anything he might be talking about. “I’m lost.”

“It’s near this hotel...” He looked at her intensely, like he was trying to give her the answer through telepathy. She stared at him blankly, and he gave up. “Remember that café with live music I wanted to take you to?”

“Oh, yeah. I had to fly to Rodney to be with Andrew. His accident was that day.”

“Yep. It’s walking distance from here, remember? We should go tonight. I heard from a client they have a good band playing this evening, and then a DJ coming later.”

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to get any more shut-eye, she peeled herself off the bed and stretched, relishing the feeling of her blood giving life to her arms and legs after a long sleep. “You want to party?”

“Not party, really. I guess just...” He thought for a minute as he pulled his shirt over his head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been out with good music.”

“Didn’t you go to parties when you first came to Los Angeles a few months ago?”

He watched her as she bent over the sink to wash her face. “I did a few times, but I quit going.”

“How come?” Lillian asked, splashing water on her face.

“Because you weren’t here.”

She stared at him, the honesty clear in his eyes. He used to have parties all the time at his place that she never went to. Why should it have stopped? Because I tried to break his heart. “I shouldn’t keep you from having fun, Cayden.”

“Without you here, it was different. None of those people cared who I was. They saw me as a new piece of meat to market. I don’t mean my body. I just mean, I was with Katharina, and then invited to more and more parties. Except no one knew me. Knew that I was in love with you. I wanted to shout it to everyone that I wanted to be with you. No one cared. I don’t want to enter that territory, if you know what I mean.” He stood behind her, hands on her waist, as she rubbed cleanser on her skin. “Now you’re here, and we won’t have much time left in this city. So, we may as well have a good time.”

Lillian dried her face with a soft white towel, and turned to face Cayden. “Sure,” she said, giving him a light kiss. “Let’s go have fun tonight.”

His face lit up. “When are you finished at Katharina’s?”

“Around five, I guess. She never really sets a time. I think she’s taking Andrew around today, so she may not even be there most of the time.”

“She and Andrew seem to be getting along,” Cayden noted as he zipped his jeans.

“I mean, their witty humor matches perfectly.” She looked at Cayden, expecting him to make some joke, but he was staring out the window.

“Freakin’ A,” he said to himself, “It’s been forever since I’ve been out. It’s time to blow off some steam.”

“Are you going to dance tonight?”

“With you.”

“No way!” She grinned. “You know I’m a party pooper.”

“You are not. At least, you aren’t in bed.”

She blew him a kiss. “I’ll come back up after breakfast to do my makeup.”

“You’re not already wearing it?”

“Of course not. I just woke up, you nut.”

“You look like you just walked out of Vogue, to me.” He took her head in his hands and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Let’s go have breakfast. I bet it’s fancier than a continental breakfast. Katharina would make sure of it.”

“Didn’t we have the breakfast last time we were here?” Lillian asked, taking the room card and shutting the door behind them.

“I don’t remember. All I can think about is tonight.”

“What are you doing today?”

“Some interviews for other clients and then a workout with Janine tonight. Since I’m back, she wants to snag me for a quick one.”

“A quick one?” Lillian stuck her tongue out.

“A workout,” he said, totally missing the humor. He was very clearly preoccupied with something inside his mind. “I’ll shower at my place and just meet you there.”

“Where is the café again? Is it a café or a bar?”

“It turns into a bar in the evening. You pass it on the way to Katharina’s. It’s just down the road. I’ll show you.” As the elevator doors opened, he bent at the waist and motioned for her to walk inside first. “After you, my lady.”

“So chivalrous,” she murmured, holding his hand. “I’m very attracted to that.”

“I’m very attracted to you.” He smiled. “I’m going to buy you a nice glass of wine tonight. Red, of course.”

“You know me well.” Lillian looked at her phone. “Hopefully nothing will happen with Andrew again today. It will be really nice to get out and do something different with you.”

“I can think of plenty of things we can do that are different,” he snickered.

“Show me after we have our little outing tonight.” The elevator doors opened again, and the smell of rich breakfast foods greeted them. She heard his stomach rumble. “Let’s get you some food, hot stuff,” she said, never letting go of his hand. “We need energy for all the fun that’s in store tonight.”

***

SHE RUBBED THE TOWEL furiously through her hair. Little droplets of water sprinkled onto her ankles and tickled as they ran down to her heels. Wrapping her hair up in a towel tsunami—Amelia had always called it that—she looked at herself in the mirror.

A shower can really do magic, she thought. All day she had been moving furniture around Katharina’s new guest house, which was due to be cleaned by some people she hired the next morning. There were a few older items in there that were covered in dust. Lillian was shocked anything Katharina owned would have been that dirty, but quickly remembered that Katharina didn’t care about the state of the house right now. She only wanted someone to get it to be the best. The result is what she always set her eyes on.

Lillian didn’t mind doing some wiping down, although Katharina had instructed her not to do any cleaning. “That is the cleaners’ job,” she had told her very matter-of-factly. “I didn’t hire you to clean, so don’t even think about it.”

And she’d tried not to clean, but even with all the little windows and the door wide open, millions of dust particles still floated around like tiny ghosts. Until the place got cleaned, there was very little she could actually do in terms of organizing and decorating, so she spent the whole day taking measurements and inventory of all the furniture and décor items. She loved planning where would be best for them to end up, and doing some shopping online for bedspreads and floor rugs. Katharina had seemed thrilled when she saw what Lillian had found, and said that they would buy it all the next day when everything was dust-free and sparkling.

Most of the day, she had been alone. Katharina was out with Andrew, taking him to a five-star restaurant for lunch and sightseeing in her private car. When Andrew saw that Katharina had a driver to take her everywhere, he did his best to keep his eyes from popping out of his head. You hear about people living like this, he texted Lillian later, when they were at lunch and he had a moment to himself when Katharina was in the bathroom, but it doesn’t seem real until you see it with your own eyes.

He did have a point. Here she was, in this glamorous hotel that was paid for, getting ready to go to a fancy café bar place with the man who had stolen her heart. How did this even happen? she wondered during times like this as she sprayed some of the perfume Cayden loved on her wrists. Andrew was also having a blast—when Katharina had said she would give him the royal treatment, she wasn’t kidding. Lillian was so relieved he was having a good time so far, and wracked her brain to figure out what she could do to thank Katharina for being so generous with him.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to Cayden. Hey. It’s so beautiful outside! I’m going to walk to the place.

I’m about to get in the shower for a quick rinse so I don’t smell like gym, he replied. Walk really slowly. You’ll get there before me.

No rush. I just need to get out of this hotel room! It’s making me so sleepy. She snapped a photo of the bed, which had been made by housekeeping so perfectly the blanket and pillows had no wrinkles. I’ll take you on a date to this place after the bar.

Can’t wait, he sent. See you there.

She slipped into a dress and some of her favorite jewelry she’d brought along on a whim. She never wore jewelry, so it was fun to dress up a little. Taking a last look at her reflection, she smiled. He’ll love this outfit. And I don’t look like I totally stand out from all the hot Los Angeles ladies.

Feeling peaceful in the evening light, she took her time walking to the bar. The Los Angeles weather was dreamy—living here in the winter was much better than being cold all the time back home. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to work here part time, she thought.

The faint sound of music drifted around her. She looked ahead, surprised to see the bar was right there. She got out her phone and sent a voice message to Cayden. “Hey, I’m here already. No rush. It’s a gorgeous evening. I’m going to grab a drink and check the place out.”

He sent back a simple thumb’s up and she put her phone in her purse. The doorway of the bar was framed in fairy lights that twisted around the rafters inside. Lillian looked up at the high ceilings and around the huge room; it had a vibe that was earthy, modern, and classy with its combination of rustic wood and shiny metal.

“Reservation?” the host asked.

“Cayden Manos, I think,” she replied.

He tapped something on a tablet. “Yes. Table for two, next to the bar.”

“I guess so,” she shrugged. With a smile, the host led her to the table. Lillian sat on one of the high chairs. Her feet barely touched the floor. No wonder kids love these things, she laughed to herself.

She watched the live band come onstage and start to play some swanky, sultry jazz. Everyone else in the room had a drink or some food, so she got up and stood at the bar. “Cabernet,” she told the bartender, who poured her wine into a glass that was similar to Katharina’s ultra-fragile crystal.

“Very safe choice,” said someone. Lillian looked to the side and saw a woman standing there, wearing a silky black dress with a plunging neckline. She nodded at Lillian’s glass. “Cabernet.”

Shyly, Lillian smiled. “I don’t know what else they have, to be honest. I’m totally happy with this.”

“A safe choice, but a good one, I suppose. I prefer pinot grigio for nights like this, personally. But tonight, it’s Hendrick’s on the rocks.”

Trying to play it cool in this situation that made her feel awkward, she held her glass toward the woman and they clinked, then took a sip. The woman studied Lillian for a little longer than was necessary.

“Can I help you?” Lillian asked cautiously, trying to break the stare.

“I know you,” said the woman.

“You do?”

She nodded. “I know you.”

“Not to be rude, but I doubt it. I’m not from here.”

“You don’t have to be,” the woman said in a velvety voice. “Word gets around fast. You’re the decorator.”

Is someone really recognizing me in public right now? It couldn’t be happening. Lillian tried to conceal her excitement. “I prefer personal organizer, but yes, that’s what I do.”

“You recently decorated Katharina’s house.”

“Wow.” Lillian raised her eyebrows as she took a sip of wine. “Word does get around fast.”

“Katharina posts everything she loves to the public. That’s how I know you.” A strange glimmer entered the woman’s dark eyes. “I know her trainer, too. Cayden.”

A red flag started to rise in Lillian. “You know Cayden?”

“Yes, I do. I’m one of his clients.”

Stay cool, she told herself. “Oh! Well, it’s good to meet you.”

“Has he told you about me?”

The flag rose a little higher. That’s a weird question to ask. “Um, no, I don’t think he has, but I can’t say for sure. I don’t know most of his clients. He only works here part time. He comes back home on the weekends,” she added, searching the woman’s face. She should get the point now. He’s not up for grabs.

“Ah.” The woman puckered her lips and swirled her glass; the ice cubes tinkled against the sides. “It figures that he hasn’t mentioned me.”

Red flag! Red flag! yelled a voice inside Lillian. She set her glass down on the counter. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he speaks very highly of you. Whenever I see him, it’s like he always makes an effort to drop your name.” She glanced down to Lillian’s shoes and back up to her face. “I can tell he really loves you. I mean, you are pretty.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what you’re saying.” All traces of Lillian’s smile were gone.

“Neither do I,” she laughed lightly. “Why he would choose to be so faithful to someone like you is remarkable. Especially when he could have—” she shifted her weight to one side, creating a curve in her hip that was as voluptuous as her chest, “—so much more.”

This is not real, she told herself, but the pulse of the music matching her rising heart rate made sure she knew it was all real. Her mind blanked.

“I know it’s a lot for you to take in. No one has probably said it to your face before, have they?” The woman smiled sweetly. “It is charming, how such a big, strong man would devote himself to a small, fragile girl. I’m sure you know all about how big he is.”

“You need to stop,” Lillian warned, not liking where this conversation was now going.

“I’m doing you a favor, sweetheart,” the woman said, inching closer to her face. “Cayden’s career is here in Los Angeles, not in that shitty place where you live and where you no doubt think he’ll come back to be with you. He’s wanted here, and he’s in high demand by a lot of powerful people. People who are way out of your league. People who would pay to be with him.” She pulled back and raised a hand. “Not to say you’re bad at what you do. Katharina’s house looks fantastic, and I’m sure you’ll go far.”

“You don’t even know us,” Lillian barked, sure steam was coming out of her ears. “Who are you to dare say these things?” Why was she even having this conversation? She should be walking away.

“I know Cayden a lot more than you think I do, honey, and let me tell you this: his obsession with you—devotion, commitment, love, whatever you want to call it—is a passing phase.” Her eyes grew darker in the dim light of the bar. “Do you honestly believe that he could possibly end up with someone like you?”

“Someone like me?” Lillian hissed. “I—”

“Don’t fool yourself. Of course, he wants someone who can physically match him. Who makes him look as successful as he is.”

“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Lillian tried to keep her voice low, but the anger was close to boiling over. How dare this woman think she knew anything about Cayden. Her Cayden.

“All I’m saying is—”

“All you’re saying is bullshit,” Lillian growled.

“If you really loved him, you would let him live a full and happy life,” the woman hissed in her face. “You’re ruining him. Are you trying to prove something by being with him?”

“Shut up.”

She continued as if Lillian hadn’t even spoken. “Are you trying to show the world that you’re not weak by controlling such a god of a man?”

“Sierra,” a deep voice boomed from the door. The woman whirled around and stared, a nasty expression on her beautiful face. Lillian couldn’t tear her eyes away from the horrible woman, didn’t even recognize Cayden’s voice until he stormed over to them.

“What the hell are you doing here?” He glared at the woman, putting a protective arm around Lillian.

“Doing you a favor,” the woman snapped. “Telling this bitch how selfish and manipulative she is.”

Lillian started at her, but Cayden held her back. “Let’s go, Lil.”

“Is there a problem?” the bartender asked, looking back and forth between Lillian and Sierra.

“This woman is extremely inappropriate. I believe she’s drunk.” Cayden glared at Sierra, his voice deep. “She should probably leave. Now.”

The bartender waved a hand and nodded at a man by the door, who took Sierra gently by an arm. She didn’t fight to be let go.

“You’ll thank me later, sweetie,” the velvety-voiced woman said, tinged with darkness. “I’m getting rid of a roadblock to your success for you, Cayden-sweetie.”

“You are the roadblock, Sierra,” Cayden growled, garnering a few looks from uncomfortable customers. When Sierra was out, he turned to Lillian, who was fuming so badly that tears were streaming down her face. “Dammit, Lil,” he grumbled. “I’m so sorry.”

Lillian was frozen, standing with her fists clenched so hard she was drawing blood in her palms. “You know that woman?” she whispered.

Cayden touched her shoulder. “Let’s go, Lil.”

She couldn’t even grab her bag. Cayden wrapped the strap around it and carried it under his arm, putting his other around her shoulders as they quickly walked back to the hotel. Lillian stumbled a few times, but made no sound.

After what felt like an hour, they opened the door to their hotel room and she stumbled inside, falling to her knees on the floor and breaking down.

“Lil!” Cayden knelt and tried to pull her close, but she didn’t budge. She began weeping like a child. Cayden sat with his back against the bed and did his best to pull her shaking body against his. “Lil, listen to me, can you hear me?”

She shook harder.

“Lil, Sierra is evil. She’s been obsessed with me for weeks. I’ve been trying to handle it without telling you.”

“Shut up!” Lillian hissed, but pressed against him harder.

A wet spot from her tears grew on his shirt. “Do you understand what I’m saying? That woman is a vulture. She preys on the weak.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t mean you’re weak. She just goes after those who are vulnerable. I didn’t know it. Katharina hates her. Sierra tried to ruin her a couple of times before, too. She’s been stalking Katharina online, and got my info from another client. I had no idea. I really thought I was handling it fine.”

“Obviously not!” Lillian jerked back and looked him in the eye through the river of tears. “How did she even know we would be there?”

“I don’t know, Lil, but I do know a lot of people who could ruin her right now. I could make phone call and she would be an outcast for the rest of her life, as long as she’s in Los Angeles or even with this circle of people.”

“She wouldn’t be ruined,” Lillian cried. “People like that can’t be ruined.”

“Yes, they can.” Cayden used his sleeve to dry her cheeks, but they were instantly wet again. “A lot of people take me very seriously here.”

“Why didn’t you before? Get rid of her? If she’s such a horrible person, why’d you put up with her? Did you date her?” She had no idea what he’d done when they were apart. What if he slept with her? A new set of tears started welling in her eyes.

“I didn’t want to make it public, Lil. I was still kind of new here when it started happening, and I wanted to try to fix it myself before involving other people.”

Lillian was about to make another protest but clapped her hand over her mouth. She frantically tried to scoot toward the bathroom. When Cayden helped her up, she gagged, and he scooped her up and got her to the toilet just in time for her to vomit three times. He held her hair up and softly blew on the back of her sweating neck until she feebly sat back.

“Let’s rinse off, Lil, and have a rest,” he said gently, and got her out of her clothes. “I love your dress.”

“I wanted you to like it,” she whispered, another few tears coming out of her eyes.

***

CAYDEN STARTED THE shower and took off his own clothes. He picked her up like she was a feather and stepped into the shower, propping her on her feet but holding her close to his chest. For a few minutes he let the cool water run over her body until her skin felt less like a fire and more like a human. He felt like a jackass. How had he let this happen?

She was so spent, he had to help her step out of the shower and dry off her body. Taking her to the bed, he sat her down and found a big shirt of his in her bag. “Wear this,” he said, and she held up her arms while he put the shirt on her and drew back the sheets. He pulled on his boxers and got into bed with her, holding her tightly.

“Lil,” he murmured, “Whatever she said, none of it’s true.”

Lillian burst into a fresh set of tears.

“I’m serious. I don’t even know all the things she said, but they are not true. Do you hear me?” She nodded weakly as she continued crying. He swallowed. She’d broken up with him before because she’d felt like he deserved better. It was stupid. She was the best thing in his life. She had no idea. If Sierra’s horrible rant ruined things... he didn’t even want to think about it. He loved Lillian. With everything he had. He didn’t deserve her. “I love you, Lil. Some nasty person is completely incapable of changing that.”

Lillian made no response, and after a few minutes her body slowly stopped trembling and her breathing evened. He realized she’d fallen asleep. What a fucking night. He held still for a little while, making sure she wasn’t going to wake up, and leaned over to get his phone off the side of the bed.

Katharina, he typed with one hand, I have some bad news.

As usual, she replied immediately. Shit. Tell me.

It’s Sierra.

No.

She somehow found out Lil and I were going to the bar by the hotel tonight. Lil went early. Sierra was saying horrible things. Verbal harassment. Bouncer had to take her out.

Katharina read the message, but he didn’t get a response for a couple of minutes. That bitch, it finally came through. I’ll make sure it never happens again. Let me handle it.

Tell me how I can help, he replied. No one hurts my Lil.

Katharina replied with a slew of profanity. No one will get to my Lily of the Valley.

I think she doesn’t really like that name.

It is my pet name for her. She should love it, Katharina sent. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, too, handsome.

It just got worse than we expected. We’ll figure it out. Cayden felt some sense of relief knowing that Katharina was going to do her best to end this situation. Other than this, how’s your night? Better than ours, I hope.

Actually, I am having a lovely night. Andrew is grilling steak and we are having wine. Is it to grill steak or cook steak? It smells amazing.

Cayden chuckled. I won’t bother you two anymore. Have a fun night.

Yes, we will. Tell my Lillian not to rush here in the morning. The cleaners will be finished by ten thirty or eleven. Be sure she takes care of herself.

Thanks, K. See you tomorrow. He put his phone down and stroked Lillian’s hair back, his eyes locked on her face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered to her, and gently propped a pillow behind her head to replace his chest as he got out of bed. Slipping his pants and shirt back on, he tiptoed out of the room and went down to the lobby to order room service.

In half an hour, there was a knock on the door. Lillian was sleeping so deeply she didn’t budge, but Cayden got up and quietly let the guy set the trays on the table. “Thank you,” Cayden whispered, giving him a tip, and closed the door again. He looked at Lillian, passed out and hugging the pillow tightly.

“Lil,” he hummed, scratching her head. “Wake up. I have food for us.”

She moved a little, reaching out to grab Cayden’s hand.

“Come on, sexy. It’s going to get cold.”

Wordlessly, Lillian rolled over and looked at him through swollen, squinted eyes. He smiled. “There she is! Come on. The food is over there.” He pointed at the dishes and pulled her to her feet, helping her to the table.

He hadn’t expected her to eat much, but her appetite was at least a little better than he thought it would’ve been. She never spoke while she ate in small bites, and when he saw that she was nearly done he dared to ask:

“How’re you feeling?”

“Not so good.” She stared down at the plate. “I’m sorry, Cayden—”

“Lil,” he said again, “none of it was true.” Part of him was terrified she would try breaking up with him and run back home.

A tear ran down her cheek; she put her feet up and hugged her knees. “It’s just—she pinpointed every horrible thing I have ever thought about myself in our relationship.”

“It’s not true,” he repeated.

“If I’ve thought it before, and she’s thought it, I must really be a terrible person.” The tears began to flow, and Cayden got up to kiss her.

“You’re the furthest thing from a terrible person I’ve ever known,” he said quietly. “Lil, you’re amazing. I love you. After what we’ve been through together, there is no reason for you to doubt that I want to be with you.”

She sniffed, and looked up at him with sad eyes.

“Breaking up with you was horrible,” he said. “That’s the only horrible thing about us. So, we shouldn’t break up again. Ever.” He straightened up. “I have something for you.”

“You do?” She looked around, slightly timid. Almost panicked.

“It’s been in here,” he said, reaching into her luggage bag and opening a hidden zipper pocket in the back. “I guess you didn’t find it yet.”

“What is it?” she asked.

Cayden handed her a small padded envelope. “Open it.”

She looked at it. “I don’t know.”

He leaned down to look at her face more directly. “Is that a hint of a smile I see?”

“I’m scared to open it.”

“There’s nothing scary inside it.” Part of him wondered if she was scared he was going to propose to her. It wasn’t a ring box... and why did that idea seem to awful? It didn’t to him. He pushed the thought away.

Nervously, she opened one end and pulled out a picture frame. With a confused look, she turned it over and gasped. “Cayden. It’s beautiful.” She smiled and tried to wipe her tears as she looked at the photo of Andrew, his parents, and her making silly faces at the hospital. Only, there was one more person—Amelia, making her trademark silly face, had been added into it. She was sitting on the bed beside Andrew and Lillian.

“I thought you might like it,” he said proudly. “It was the only photo I could find, and it’s older, so I know she doesn’t look completely like she was really there, but—”

“Cayden,” Lillian cried, throwing her arms around him. “I can’t believe it. How did you do this?”

“I have my ways.”

Lillian held the frame like it was a block of solid gold. “I’m going to treasure this for the rest of my life.” Through her tears, she looked at him. “You have no idea how much this means to me. You couldn’t have gotten me anything better in the universe.”

He grinned. “Not even a kitten?”

Lillian paused. “A kitten runs a close second, but this still wins for sure.”

“This must be pretty special, then.”

Lillian embraced him again. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear. “My heart is fragile, and you make me feel strong. And safe. And loved.”

Before long, they were asleep in the bed, holding each other tight. The photo was set up on the bedside table, facing the rest of the room like a protective force against whatever heartbreak had been there before.

But no heartbreak was allowed now; it had all been expelled. Cayden and Lillian slept deeply, their bodies against each other, until the sun rose in the morning. The sun seemed to promise a new beginning. A new chance. A fresh start. Again.