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CHAPTER TWELVE
BLAKE
I know we are getting close when she starts white-knuckling the steering wheel. I feel bad, but she needs to do this.
She pulls into a parking space and turns the car off. Passersby check us out as we sit in the car. I'm waiting for her to make the first move.
She takes a steadying breath. "Are you going in with me?" she asks while looking straight ahead.
"I won't leave your side." I can see everything going through her mind.
She doesn't say another word but gets out of the car, and I follow. She walks into the office.
There is a receptionist at the front desk. She's a nice lady, an older woman who must have been working here for a while. She gives my Lily a sad look of understanding. I'm sure if she stayed in town, she would get that look all the time. I wonder if she knew what a jackass Ted is or if he fooled everybody in town. Lily stops in front of the desk.
"Is my dad around?"
"Yes, you can go right back, Lily," she replies.
"Thanks, Martha."
I notice Martha trying to figure out what's going on with Lily showing up out of the blue. Plus, bringing a strange man with her, the gossip mill will be going wild with speculation. I love it. The news will get back to Ted.
I give Martha a smile but don't say anything when I pass her.
I follow Lily down the hallway as people along the way pause to stare. She doesn't stop until she comes to a closed door. She hesitates, then knocks. Doesn't wait for an answer, opens the door, and we walk in.
The man sitting behind the desk is exactly how I pictured Lily's dad to look. He is a tall, distinguished-looking man with gray running through his hair. There is a slight resemblance to her, but he's an older, stern-looking guy. She must take after her mom more.
Mr. Chambers stands when we walk in.
"Lily?"
The guy actually looks worried.
"I'm okay, Dad. I came here to talk to you."
I stand next to her. I want her to know that she has my support.
Her dad looks at me with an unfriendly perusal. "Who is this, Lily?"
I knew he wouldn't be happy seeing his daughter with someone else.
"This is Blake."
I shake Mr. Chambers' hand. "Nice to meet you."
He gives me another look before addressing his daughter.
"Are you finally going to explain why you took off? Your mom had a hard time explaining things to our relatives and most of the town."
The man sits back down and glares at his daughter. Lily and I sit down across from him. I take her hand in mine. Her dad's eyes narrow.
"I found out the night before my wedding that Ted had been seeing someone else. He's been sleeping with this other person since we started dating. I'm sorry, but I couldn't marry him."
I give Lily all my attention while she's talking to her dad. After her explanation, my eyes swing back to her dad. The man appears stricken by the news. His complexion is lighter. I don't think he had a clue about what was really going on.
"That bastard. How could he do that to you? He's been acting heartbroken. He even asked for some time off. That lying peace of––"
