Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(75)

I also knew that I owed it to her and our relationship to begin fully incorporating her into my life. So, when Frank called and said that Claire was dying to meet Lily, I accepted his invitation to dinner and drinks with them and a few of our other friends.

“Claire’s literally salivating to get her hands on your girl. And she started clapping like a seal when she realized that now you'd get to be included in our couples’ nights. It’d almost be cute if it weren’t so annoying,” Frank chuckled. He could call Claire annoying all he wanted, but we all knew that she was the best thing to ever happen to him. And he knew it too.

“Well, would you try to reel her in a little. I don’t want her coming on too strong and scaring Lily away.”

“Ah, so you’ve got yourself a shy one, huh?” Frank asked.

I hesitated before replying. Was Lily shy? I hadn’t interacted with her much around other people. She didn’t seem shy; she certainly hadn’t come off that way when I had met her. The Lily I knew was outgoing and friendly, but would she be that way with a table full of strangers? It seemed odd that I didn’t know, even though the answer didn’t really matter. I couldn’t blame her if she were reserved when she first met my friends.

“Nah, she’ll be fine,” I finally answered, hoping it was the truth.

***

I pulled up in front of Lily’s apartment at five minutes to seven. We were meeting the rest of the crew at 7:30, and while the restaurant was only ten minutes away, I thought it would be easier if we were the first ones there so that Lily got to meet everyone gradually as they arrived. I pulled out my phone and called her. “Hey, I’m downstairs,” I said when she answered.

“Okay, be right down,” she quickly replied and hung up.

I watched her exit her building and walk toward me. She looked beautiful, as always. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and down her light blue top that accentuated her slim figure, even though it was partially obscured by a khaki jacket. Her dark rinsed jeans and black heels made her legs look incredible, and I quickly wondered if I had time to take her upstairs before dinner.

“Hey,” she breathed as she sat down beside me and turned to pull her seatbelt around herself.

“Hey, gorgeous.” I leaned in to give her a soft kiss on the lips. “You look great.”

She smiled warmly at me, her eyes sparkling. “You too.”

I ran a hand down my green cashmere sweater. “Glad you approve.”

“Always.” She gently brushed her hand along my cheek.

We just sat there and stared at one another for a moment, letting our adoration for each other fill the car. Finally I shook my head. “We better get going before I make us very late.”

“You know, there is something to be said for being fashionably late.”

I smiled. “All good things come to those who wait.”

She giggled. “Well when you put it like that, let’s get this show on the road.”

I laughed as I pulled the car onto the road and drove to the restaurant, holding Lily’s hand in mine the entire ride.

We talked about trivial things: how Lily was sad that February was almost over and she hadn’t gotten another snow day, what Eva had done recently to show me what an inconvenience it was to have me for a father, Amanda losing her mind over her upcoming wedding.

“Why the rush?” I asked her. “Why didn’t they just pick a date a year from now so they could’ve taken their time planning?”

“I think Shane’s worried that Amanda will change her mind if he gives her too much time to think about it,” Lily said laughing.

I didn’t see the humor. “Should they really be getting married then?”

Lily’s face sobered and confusion seemed to set in as she silently asked me to explain what I meant.

“I mean, if she’s that likely to change her mind, are they sure this is the right move for them?”

“Well, first of all, I was kidding about her changing her mind. Mostly.” When I eyed her skeptically, she continued. “Amanda’s skittish and when left to think too much, she’s prone to over-analyze everything. She could poke holes in the sturdiest foundation. But I don’t think that’s really why they’re rushing.” She sighed. “I just think that they’re ready, ya know? They know what they want and can’t see a reason to wait for it.”

I thought for a moment. “So you don’t think they’re making a mistake?”

Her head whipped toward me. “Why would their marriage be a mistake?”

I let out a breath. Why did I have to bring this up? “Lily, come on. They’ve only been dating a few months. That would’ve been like me proposing to you last spring. We both know what a disaster that would’ve been. We barely knew each other.”

She sat still, facing forward, her eyes unwavering from the windshield. After a few silent, tense moments, she turned her head toward me. “I think,” she stopped and cleared her throat, causing her voice to be stronger, surer. “I think that when you meet the person you’re meant to be with, your heart just knows, even if it takes your brain a while to catch up. You can deny it and fight it all you want. God knows Amanda did. But it’s ultimately no use. There is no living without that person, Adam.” She turned her head to face the passenger window. “Shane is the air Amanda breathes. To walk away from him would be like never taking a deep breath again. And she damn well knows it. Anyone looking at them does.”