The Neighbor Favor(98)

There was a spattering of enthusiastic if not bemused applause. Zara was patting Nick on his shoulder, but he didn’t register any of it. He was moving toward Lily, and those in the crowd watched him curiously, stepping out of his way.





Lily stood there, waiting for Nick. She grinned at him, shaking her head in delighted wonder. She couldn’t believe that he was here. Her heart was bursting.

Nick reached her and stepped close, leaving but a breath of space between them. She stared up into his face. His gaze was soft and intent as he took her hands in his.

“I love you,” he said. “I’ve loved you since you sent me that first email last year. You found me when I didn’t want to be found. You saved me.”

Lily blinked at him, speechless.

“I’m sorry about what I said on the phone the other day,” he continued. “All of the things you said were right.” He lifted his hand to cradle her cheek. “I told my parents about everything, including you. I just want you to know that I’m trying.”

“I know you are,” she said, her chest filling with lightness. “And so am I.” She brought his face down closer to hers. “I love you too.”

Then she kissed him, and Nick held his hands on either side of her face, deepening the kiss. The crowd whistled and cheered, and it was only then that she remembered they weren’t alone. Lily laughed and blushed.

“You two are absolutely adorable,” Zara gushed, materializing next to them. “Just imagine what that heartfelt speech is going to do for your career, Nick! You had everyone eating out of the palm of your hand! Our first-week sales will be through the roof!”

“I can’t believe you showed up!” Marcus said, popping up on Nick’s other side. “I’m so proud of you, bro. And hey, Lily, is it true that you just quit? Somebody said they heard Edith throwing a tantrum about it in the bathroom.”

Nick turned to Lily, eyes wide. “You quit?”

“Yes.” She beamed.

“Proud of you,” he said, smiling too. Then, “Wanna get out of here?”

She nodded. “Definitely.”

Once they were outside in front of the hotel, neither knew what to say. They were both overwhelmed in the best way.

“I wanted to tell you that I was flying back today,” Nick said. “I tried calling you, but—”

“My phone died!” Lily pulled her phone out of her bag and showed him her blank screen. “I was going to fly to you, actually. Right after I bought a new charger.”

He smiled. “I didn’t want you to have to seek me out this time. I wanted to show up for you. And for myself.”

His smile was so breathtakingly beautiful and tender, it made Lily’s heart ache. “I’m glad you did.”

“I needed to see you,” he said. “But I have to go back to North Carolina for a few more days. They still need my help.”

“I know.” Lily gently laced her fingers through his. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Nick brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“So, you really quit,” he said. She grinned, nodding, and he laughed. “You wanna tell me that story?”

“I can tell you all about it on the way to dinner with my family,” she said. “If you want to join us.”

She gazed up at him, patient and encouraging.

With a grin on his face and love in his eyes, he said, “Of course.”





28


In the end, Violet’s engagement party and her anti-wedding party were proof that sometimes celebrating a breakup could be a lot more fun than celebrating an impending marriage. For one thing, the anti-wedding party had live entertainment.

“If you a bad bitch, lemme hear you say ayyyyeee!” Karamel Kitty shouted into the mic.

“Ayyyeee!” Lily, Iris and Violet hollered, along with Violet’s fashion friends and the members of the Greene family on the dance floor who chose to identify as bad bitches.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Karamel Kitty yelled. Then she proceeded to perform her newest number one single, “Bad Bitch Antics.”

In a last-minute change, Violet was able to keep the same catering and event teams from her wedding. This time, there were black tablecloths, and she convinced Dahlia to dip every flower for the floral arrangements in black. The guests were dressed in black, just how Violet had envisioned. Violet wore a custom black V-neck halter ball gown, and Lily had even bought a new black sleeveless minidress from Aritzia for the occasion.

The new purchase was one of the splurges she’d treated herself to after landing the job at Happy Go Lucky Press. Working with Francesca and Anna would be a dream. A busy dream because they were a small but mighty team. But Lily had the feeling that she would finally learn what it was like to work with people who were invested in her growth and saw value in her work.

Months ago, if you would have told Lily that this would be her life, she wouldn’t have believed it. It would sound too good to be true. But she was allowing herself to bask in the happiness. Because she deserved to.

“I’m going to get some water,” she shouted to her sisters, who were busy dancing and laughing. The sight made Lily’s heart swell. “Do either of you want anything from the bar?”