Breach of Honor by Naomi Porter

32 Miranda

HENRY ST. JAMES entertained us for several hours before Will and I left. He’d played show tunes on the baby grand, made impressions, and captivated the room with stories of his travels. Peter beamed the whole time proudly, as did Will’s grandpa.

Interestingly, Henry wasn’t at all stuffy or terse like the rest of the St. James men, Will included. With me, Will was relaxed and playful, but in the presence of his father, he was tightly wound unlike his cousin. Henry seemed to be a free spirit all the time.

A man who went wherever the wind took him. A nomad.

It concerned me, for Lily’s sake.

There seemed to be strong chemistry between them. After her shock had worn off, Lily and Henry talked the evening away as if long-lost friends reconnecting. I adored seeing her beam, a flush in her cheeks when Henry playfully teased her.

I could also see Lily holding back. Her guard had flown up the minute he mentioned leaving in a few days. The sparkle in her eyes dimmed, her engagement turned cautious. A heaviness pressed on my chest. Her hopes of having a billionaire boyfriend had been dashed by his itinerant lifestyle.

Lily had been on my mind ever since we left. I hated leaving her, but Simone had insisted she stay, and since Lily had her car, she had no excuse to go with me and Will.

I’d rushed into work this morning, eager to talk to Lily. I hadn’t bugged her last night, not that Will would have allowed me to. He had other bedroom things in mind, which included pie.

“Morning, Gina!” I breezed past her before she sucked me in with the latest high-school gossip that monopolized her thoughts.

“Good morning! Did you have a nice Easter?”

“Yup!” I tossed my stuff on my desk and ran into Lily’s office. She wasn’t there, so I hightailed it back out to the reception area. “Where’s Lily?”

“She’s not in yet, but she called to say she’d be a half an hour late.”

“Dang it! I could have driven the speed limit.”

Gina’s eyes widened.

“Just a little over the speed limit.” I twisted my lips to the side. “Let me know the minute she gets in.” I returned to my office.

Time ticked by at a snail’s pace. My focus was shot. Don’t have a fling screamed in my head like a bright neon sign. A fling with the charming, funny, and mega-wealthy Henry would destroy her.

It was true what they said about tough girls: they are the most delicate. Most vulnerable. Easily shattered. Lily was no different, keeping most people at a safe distance. Her shallow, materialistic attitude was all a front, a mask she hid behind.

It was why she was my best friend. I knew the real Lily, the smart, funny, passionate woman who’d give up her life if it meant saving someone she loved.

Like her mother.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Lily’s mom had died during our freshman year of college. Cancer took her from Lily. And her father… he abandoned her and her mom when the diagnosis came in. After he left, an iron fortress went up around Lily’s heart.

Last night had been the first time I’d observed her gates opening for a man. Not long afterward, I heard them slam shut.

“She’s here,” Gina whispered, waking me from my thoughts.

“Thank you.”

Gina stared confused. “Are you okay? You look sad.”

I sucked in a breath. “I’m fine. Thank you, Gina.” I waved her off.

Before I could speak to Lily, I needed to adjust my mood. Lily would instantly dial into any angsty vibes I sent off, the pitfall of having a best friend who could read you like a book. I needed to be prepared, emotions in check.

Shit. Too late.

Lily stormed into my office, slamming the door behind her. “I’m totally fucked!” Hands on her head, she paced in my little office, breathing deeply.

This was bad. So bad.

God, I hoped he hadn’t left with her last night.

I couldn’t speak with my throat constricting. Talking to Lily when she was in freak-out mode was never a smart thing to do. Silence ensured my safety from her wrath.

“Why me? Why do I have the worst fucking luck on the plant? Why?” she lamented, still pacing.

These weren’t real questions, just Lily blowing off steam. I stayed quiet.

“I’ve spent the last ten years dreaming of my perfect man. Ten years! For what? To only have him waltz into my life, thrill me with his show tunes, panty-melting laugh, and delicious lips so I can watch him waltz the fuck out of my life in three days!” A primal growl eddied out of her as she stomped, throwing a massive, never-before-seen tantrum.

I knew this would happen. I glanced up at the ceiling. If anyone is listening, no sex. Please, I can’t hear she slept with Henry last night.

“What are you staring at?” She flitted her eyes to the ceiling.

“Huh? Nothing.”

“Were you not listening to anything I just said?” She glared at me, hands on her hips.

“Yes. I heard every word… I’m sorry.”

“He’s leaving in forty-eight hours.” She collapsed on the chair in front of my desk. “I know what his lips feel like…”

Oh, Jesus. Were you not listening to my pleas? I looked up at the ceiling again.

“What in the hell do you keep looking at?”

“I’m sorry. Nothing. You kissed Henry?”

“More like he kissed me.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. We were out on the veranda. The air had cooled, and Simone left to grab a sweater, so we were alone.” Her cheeks turned red. “After you left, it was just the three of us. It was nice. Fun. But there was also a draw to him I couldn’t fight, so when he asked if he could kiss me, I said, ‘I thought you’d never ask.’”

Oh, man. This was worse than I thought. Lily always said the man who asked if he could kiss her would be special. Henry was the first. Shit—double shit.

“I assume it was nice?” What a stupid question. Her bulging eyes said it had to have been the best kiss of her life.

“On a scale of one to ten, it was a ten. Intoxicating and sensual. Henry hit the one in a billion marker. FUCK!” Lily growled again, stomping her feet on the floor. “And tonight, I’m having dinner with him.”

“No, no, no. Bad idea. Terrible idea. Just look at you.” I tried to keep my tone as even and calm as possible to hide my worry.

“That’s why I told him you and Will would join us.”

“Oh, jeez. As if that would stop you from taking him home.” I put my face in my hands.

“Just tell me you’ll be there. Please, Miranda. I can’t go alone.”

“We’ll be there. Are you going to be bound and handcuffed to me, so you don’t take Henry home?”

“Har, har, har! You’re so damn funny.”

“Just making a point. See, I know you. You’re going to tell yourself it’s just sex. It’s just one time and you’ll walk away satisfied—even grateful for the fling. How are you going to not feel when you’re with him?”

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.” Lily slumped in the chair.

Tonight was going to be one emotionally challenging night for Lily.

Downtown L.A. at night had always stolen my breath away. Off in the distance spanned the Pacific Ocean. I’d never been in such an elite, awe-inspiring restaurant. It wasn’t too dark, which might have intensified Lily’s emotions. For that, Henry choose wisely.

The magnificent dining room felt relaxed though elegant, and from what Will had told me, the food was excellent, along with the desserts. He hadn’t let up on teasing me about my guilty pleasures yet insistent that he should be my only indulgence.

I couldn’t argue with that.

Seated in a prime location beside Will, my breath caught when Lily walked in on Henry’s arm. They collected gazes by the dozen as they glided across the floor, him in a charcoal sport coat with a black button-down shirt open at the collar and her in an ivory, mock neck dress with a delicate crochet overlay. Her hair was up in a soft bun with wispy pieces framing her face, and her makeup was on point.

God, she looked gorgeous.

She had left work two hours earlier than usual. I knew she’d planned to go all out for Henry, hoping her efforts would make him fall for her so he wouldn’t leave.

By the way he admired her, she might have succeeded.

“Evening, Miranda. Will,” Henry cheerfully greeted.

“Hi, you two.” I ogled Lily. She’d never looked so poised and confident.

Lily smiled as Henry pulled her chair out. “Have you guys been waiting long?”

“Not long at all. We’ve been enjoying the view.”

Everyone turned toward the window.

The waiter promptly took our drink orders, which helped break the ice. Still, I could sense Lily’s trepidation as if it were my own. When he returned with our cocktails and first course, Lily didn’t waste any time drinking down half of her martini. Of course, I was the only one paying attention while Will and Henry talked about baseball.

Each time my eyes connected with Lily’s, she looked away. Her blatant avoidance made my heart ache.

“Lily tells me you’ve been friends since your freshman year of college,” Henry said, drawing my attention to him. “That’s amazing. I’ve never been good at maintaining friendships.”

Will snorted and gave Henry a wry smile. “That’s because you never stay in one place.”

“True. I meet lots of people, but few become true friends.” Henry shrugged, taking a sip of his scotch. “It’s fine. It’s what I’m used to. Relationships are a lot of work anyway.”

Oh, shit. Lily’s lip trembled. I didn’t take Henry for an idiot, but his callous attitude made me consider maybe he was, along with insensitive. Fortunately, the waiter returned with our second course, and the table quieted again.

We’d finished our salads and second round of drinks. A third was on order when Lily excused herself from the table.

“I’m going to go as well,” I whispered in Will’s ear. He stood to pull out my chair as Henry had for Lily. Something told me she was upset. Or perhaps she just needed a breather. Not that I could blame her. Henry couldn’t keep his eyes off her. His arm stayed over the back of her chair. Several times he’d leaned in to whisper in her ear and kiss the crook of her neck.

No question she loved it, but I believed it was becoming too much for her. Reality had to have been setting in.

Sure enough, she was seated on an armless chair in the lounge, fanning her eyes to keep from crying. “Oh Lil, honey.” I rushed over to her.

“No! Don’t say anything. No, I told you so. Just leave me be.”

I held my tongue, letting her collect herself. Seconds later, she darted into a stall, washed her hands, and we were back at the table.

“Will tells me he’s dying to take you to Paris,” Henry stated. “You should give my mum a ring when you go.”

Dammit, I was hoping Paris didn’t come up tonight. Will was still sore about me postpone our trip. During the afternoon meeting today at LA Premier, Tate and Lily had voiced their concerns about me being gone for two weeks. They had every right to be concerned. There were two weddings and several other smaller events I’d miss. I couldn’t leave my friends high and dry, so I asked Will to postpone the trip. He had said he understood, but he also hadn’t tried to hide his disappointment. I felt awful about letting him down. We were just so busy… we were always busy these days.

“Henry, I’ve only met her once,” Will replied. “I don’t know her.”

“So? She’d love to see you. It’s like she knows you. I mean, I talk about you all the time.” Henry stared at his cousin earnestly. “And she’s lonely. She doesn’t get a lot of visitors. Just think about it.”

“I’d love to meet her,” I interjected, smiling. “Does she live alone?”

“She does. All her family lives in the states.” Henry inhaled, pausing a moment. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. “I know she’d love to meet you… and you.” He turned toward Lily, took her hand, and kissed it.

Was he blind? With each sweet nothing he whispered and tender kiss he gave her, Henry was destroying Lily. Her glossy eyes were the only evidence I needed.

How did he not see it? Or care?

I kicked Will’s foot, squeezing his knee. It was a sign for him to intervene.

“You’ll have to give us your mom’s number then,” Will said on command. “But we’ll be short on time whenever we go to France.” I cringed at the irritation in his voice. “Miranda will only be able to take off for two weeks. What’s your next stop after you leave town?”

Facepalm. Shining a massive spotlight on Henry’s vagabond lifestyle wasn’t what I meant earlier when I’d prepared him for the sign.

Lily clammed up immediately, fidgeting with her napkin.

Nice work, Will.

The third course arrived. We settled into eating our dinner and stayed away from travel talk... thank God.

For every glance Lily gave me, it confirmed she would be spending the night with Henry. There was a resolve in her eyes telling me: I’ve got this.

But she didn’t. Her heart was on the line, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it, especially when she’d just passed on dessert. I eyed her, trying to transmit brainwaves to her. It had worked in the past, but it seemed she’d closed herself off to me.

“No dessert? Are you sure? There’s a dessert cocktail on the menu… tiramisu. It sounds positively sinful.” I wiggled my eyebrows, hoping to entice her.

“I’m full.” She pressed her lips thin in defiance of my attempt, which hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Okay. Um, we have three pies at home. Would you guys like to come over to our place for coffee and pie?”

Will took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze under the table. It was his sign I was pushing too hard. I sure was pushing hard; this was my best friend.

Lily shook her head. “No, thank you. Maybe another time.”

Well, that was that.

After the bill was settled, we hugged each other goodbye and waited for our respective cars. Henry and Lily had a molten look of desire in their eyes. I’d seen it plenty of times in Will’s eyes, and I ventured to guess I’d had the red-hot wanting in the depths of mine before as well.

When the valet pulled up with their car, Lily waved and slid into the seat. It made my heart hurt as I wondered if she would be okay. And afterward, would she be in a pit of despair?

God, I hoped she wouldn’t sleep with Henry.