| |
––––––––
“I’M SO SORRY FOR BAILING on you yesterday, hun,” Lily said the next morning over coffee with Morgan. She crossed her legs in the elegant light gray skirt suit she was wearing and glanced around the nearly empty coffee house in midtown. The two women had made a weekly ritual of grabbing coffee on Monday mornings over the summer, and Lily was going to miss that when Morgan started teaching school again in a week.
She glanced around the normally busy coffee shop, with its exposed brick walls, warm lighting, and paintings from local artists proudly displayed throughout the space. This was the emptiest she’d seen it all summer. It felt like everyone had escaped the city for the last week of August, abandoning it for tropical locales or family vacations or second homes in The Hamptons. Next Tuesday, after the holiday weekend, there’d be men and women in business suits lined up just waiting to get in the door.
And it would’ve been much easier to enjoy the last lazy days of summer, she noted, without the memories of a certain asshole invading her every thought.
“You didn’t bail; you dropped off all those supplies for me. And Brock is a total jackass. If I’d have known exactly what he did Saturday night, I’d have punched him myself yesterday.”
Lily laughed as she stirred cream and sugar into her French roast coffee. “I would’ve stuck around to see that.”
“He wouldn’t have looked nearly so charming sporting a black eye. Can you imagine him showing up at the precinct this morning and having to explain that a woman had decked him? All because he’d slept with her best friend?”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t have been the first time,” Lily said dryly, carefully setting her spoon down beside her cup. “Not with his womanizing ways.” She took a bite of her buttery croissant and groaned. “I’m going to have to spend an extra hour at the gym after eating this.”
Morgan laughed and spread cream cheese over her bagel. “Lily, you always look perfect. I mean, I’m sitting here in jeans and a tee shirt and you’re dressed to kill.”
“You have a classroom to set up,” Lily pointed out. “You can’t exactly do that in heels.”
“It’s a glamourous life. But seriously,” Morgan continued, “I can’t believe Brock just got up and left like that. Jake never made any of his cop buddies sound like complete asses. Besides, Brock looks like the kind of guy who’d want to go all night long if you know what I mean,” she said, laughing.
“He could not get out of there fast enough,” Lily disagreed. “I never should have let him drive me home. I mean don’t get me wrong, I wanted him, too, in my lust-induced haze. The man is smoking hot. Nothing like the type of men I usually date. But I thought he’d sneak out before dawn and leave a naughty note on my pillow or something, not run out the door ten seconds after we had sex.”
“A naughty note, huh?” Morgan asked with interest, waggling her eyebrows.
“It’s not like I expected the man to write me a sonnet,” Lily said with a giggle. She took another sip of coffee and glanced down at her phone. “I knew what I was getting into by leaving with him. I just didn’t expect it to sting so much.”
“One-night-stands aren’t really your thing, Lil.”
“Nope. That was my first and definitely my last.”
“He was that bad, huh?”
Lily blushed.
“Um-hmmm,” Morgan said with a grin. “So it wasn’t a complete bust.”
“Just the aftermath. Anyway, I’ve got that meeting with the fundraising committee for the women’s charity in an hour, but after that I’m free to come help you at school. I’ll probably go home and change first though,” she said, gesturing to the prim skirt suit that she had on.
“Oh, thanks, but Brock actually set everything up in the classroom with me yesterday.”
“Brock did?” Lily asked, looking surprised.
“Yeah, I think maybe he felt guilty about everything. He stayed late with me since Jake had to go into work. I guess Jake helped him move into his new apartment over the summer, so he felt like he should reciprocate or something. And since I didn’t know the entire story of what an asshole he was to you, I just went along with it. I needed the help. The open house is tomorrow—you know, where I meet all my students for next year?”
“God, I can’t believe he’d spend Sunday afternoon setting up an elementary school classroom. Don’t guys like watching football or something?”
Morgan laughed. “Season hasn’t started yet.”
“Well anyway, I mean, he doesn’t even really know you, right?”
Morgan laughed. “Not until the other night. Jake’s never wanted to introduce me to any of his cop buddies. And now I know why.”
“That’s an understatement. I’m glad the classroom is all put together though for your sake. Even if that jackass was the one helping you.”
“Tell me about it. I’ve got enough to worry about with the school year starting—lesson plans, assignments, meeting the kids. The list goes on and on.”
“You’re so lucky to be doing what you love,” Lily commented wistfully.
“So do what you love, too, Lily,” Morgan insisted. “You’ve been out of school a few years, you’ve done the volunteer and charity work that your mother insisted on. If you’re not happy, go to law school like you always wanted.”
“They’d be furious,” Lily said, shaking her head. “I’ve just always gone along with what my parents dictated. Well, not always, I guess. I haven’t married any of their rich friends’ sons yet. But otherwise? I feel like I don’t even know how to say what I want anymore.”
“So apply to law school. Applications for the spring semester are probably due soon. Fill out some applications, take the LSATS, and see what happens. You don’t want to always regret it. And when you get in, you tell your parents that you’ve decided to attend law school. Move in with me if you have to.”
“You live with your brother,” Lily laughed.
“Yeah, for the moment. We’ll get a place together. You can slum it with me.”
“You’re not slumming it.”
“My point is, you don’t want to be miserable for the rest of your life.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I’ve been dreaming about it long enough that it’s probably time to at least take a step in the direction I want my life to be going. God knows I don’t want to end up like my mother in thirty years.”
Morgan laughed. “Look, I know you and your mother don’t see eye-to-eye, but at least they were always able to provide for you. It was tough growing up in my house—single mom, no extra money....”
“I know. God, I feel bad for even complaining. My parents would hand everything to me if they could. It’s just not what makes me happy, you know? Raising money for charitable causes is great, but in the end it’s just convincing a bunch of wealthy people to donate money they won’t even miss. If I were a family lawyer I could really help people, you know? Actually make a difference in someone’s life.”
“Don’t I ever. My dad rarely sent child support to us. My mom worked two jobs when I was growing up, and we still barely made ends meet.”
“I know, and you’re not the only family out there like that.”
“So how did the brunch go yesterday?” Morgan asked, changing the subject. “I never got to hear about it with my catastrophe at school.”
“Oh, it was typical over-the-top fabulousness,” Lily said, rolling her eyes. “Even Hannah thought it was a bit much, and she was the one we were supposed to be celebrating. She finally had to sit down and rest while I snuck out to the balcony to call you.”
Morgan laughed. “But I’m sure your mom enjoyed it.”
“Of course. That’s all that matters, right?”
“Nope,” Morgan disagreed, shaking her head. “You’re an adult, and your opinions matter. So I want to hear exactly where you’re applying to law school by the end of the week.”
Lily laughed. “I’m glad you’re not my teacher, because honey, you are strict.”
Morgan grinned back at her. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“So are you still up for a weekend away?” Lily asked. “My parents are jetting off on vacation for a week, so the house in The Hamptons is ours for the weekend if you’re game.”
“Hell yes!” Morgan laughed. “I so need a last minute vacation. I won’t have a moment to myself again until winter break.”
“Then we’re on,” Lily said with a grin.
***
LILY SIGHED AS THE ladies of the committee she was chairing went around the table again, discussing their decorating plans for the fundraiser. She took a sip of her iced water with lemon, trying not to yawn in boredom. The entire point of the event was to raise money for charity, and these women were acting like the floral arrangements were a do or die matter. Forget the other decorations, food and drink, or silent auction. They’d debate the table settings from dawn until desk if she let them. Which meant there’d be meeting after meeting where absolutely nothing got done.
How long did it take to plan a silly fundraiser anyway?
Good Lord.
“We must go with the rose centerpieces,” an older woman on the committee insisted. “They’re the most elegant. And white roses are simply lovely.”
“No, I prefer more greenery,” another women interrupted. “Even though the event is in the winter, a little dash of spring would be nice.”
“In December?” a third woman asked. “That is abhorrent. We should stick with a simple and elegant winter theme.”
Lily resisted the urge to groan. “Ladies, the point is to raise money for the women’s charity. To help women and children who desperately need the assistance. Does it really matter what centerpieces we select for the luncheon and silent auction? The point is how much money we’re able to raise to help those in need. We should skip wasting money on trivial things like centerpieces and donate the additional funds.”
Animated conversations broke out around her, most in disbelief, and she closed her eyes for a moment as her head pounded. There’d be a hundred meetings just to plan the event at this rate. She should just write a check herself and get on with it.
“Lily,” her mother’s voice suddenly chided. She glanced up in surprise as her mother stood before her, designer handbag hanging delicately from her wrist. “What’s going on? I just arrived, and the entire committee appears to be in utter chaos. What happened to the planning? The event details?”
“It’s nothing, Mother.”
“Nothing,” she huffed. “These decisions need to be made so we can book the appropriate vendors for the event. We need florists, caterers, wait staff. Not to mention businesses willing to donate for the silent auction. We simply can’t have disorganization like this if we’re going to run a successful luncheon for the women’s center.”
“They’re arguing about flowers, Mother,” Lily said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “The important thing should be what we’re accomplishing, how we’re helping others, not the decorations.”
“Appearances matter, Lily. You know that as well as anyone.”
“Well then maybe you should take over this event,” Lily said, rising to her feet. “I’m trying to find the best way to help the most people, and everyone here is arguing about floral arrangements.”
“I have other commitments,” her mother huffed. “I thought you could handle chairing this one event. Hannah never had any problems—”
“I’m not Hannah,” Lily said, grasping her mother’s arm and pulling her aside as they began to draw attention. “I never have been, nor will I ever be. Furthermore, what’s important to you doesn’t matter to me.”
“How can you say such a thing? You have no idea what you’re talking about. Your father and I have worked hard to give you the life you have.”
“You know what? I don’t want it! I can’t spend the rest of my life at these ridiculous, stuffy events. I couldn’t care less about what place settings we choose to use or what color the napkins are. My goal in life isn’t to impress other people. I don’t want to marry one of your friends’ sons and serve on these ridiculous committees for the rest of my life. I want to do things my way. Follow my heart. Live my own life.”
“This is absurd.”
“No, what’s absurd is that I’m a grown woman doing everything that my parents demand. I’m done with that. Starting next spring, I’m going back to school.”
“What? Where? You already have a degree.”
“I’m applying to law school. Just like I always wanted, but somehow you and Dad talked me out of it.”
“Lily, don’t be ridiculous—”
“My life goals aren’t ridiculous. If you can’t see that, then it’s your loss. It’s been years since I got my undergraduate degree, and I’m not putting off my dreams any longer,” Lily said, glancing back over her shoulder as she turned away. “You handle the arrangements for the fundraiser. Ask someone else to chair the committee. Let them buy out an entire flower shop for all I care. I have more important things to do.”
Leaving her mother staring wordlessly after her, she marched back over to the table she’d been sitting at, grabbed her handbag, and calmly said goodbye to the women seated there, before hastily exiting the room.
Walking out in a huff had never felt better.
