And that showed exactly where his thoughts had been since she’d opened her door revealing a womanly version of the Lilly he’d known. The same and yet different, more beautiful, more secure in herself, more for him to handle, Ty thought.
He’d been in lust with her when he was young, intrigued by the girl with the big brown eyes and daring nature. Only after she was gone did he realize he’d loved Lilly. First love, puppy love, no matter what he called it, losing her had been painful. They’d been denied the opportunity to explore what might have been and nothing and nobody since had even come close to making him feel as alive as Lilly had. She still did, if the spark inside him was any indication.
But the past was behind them and opening his mind or his heart to her now could only lead to heartache. She had a life here that didn’t include him. She could have returned and opted not to.
They’d each moved on.
Ty didn’t need her to break his heart all over again when he’d established an easy way of life. He settled for sex, not love, with women who wanted simple relationships and who wouldn’t complain when he grew bored, which he usually did. Lately he’d been hooking up with Gloria Rubin, a waitress at a bar he frequented when he didn’t go to Night Owl’s. She was divorced and liked it that way, but didn’t want to take any man home with her while her son was under the same roof. He had an empty apartment, which meant their relationship was convenient if not special. But it worked.
Ty shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced around Lilly’s living room in an attempt to get a feel for how she lived and who she’d become. He’d walked up three flights of dark stairs to reach her door but at least the neighborhood seemed safe enough and she had the ugly mutt for some sort of protection. The apartment itself wasn’t small, it was tiny. Yet despite the size, she’d put enough warm touches around to make it feel like home, not a small cell. Simple floral posters were framed and lined the walls, while live plants filled the room. Colored pillows brightened up the sofa and a matching area rug lay beneath the table.
Noticeably absent were photographs of family and friends and for the first time, he realized she’d left more than just Ty and Hunter behind. She’d abandoned a life and tangible memories. She’d turned her back on money and material things. She couldn’t have lived easily or well. All the more reason for her to return and stop her uncle from claiming what was rightfully hers.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Her voice distracted him and he turned toward the light sound.
She rejoined him, this time wearing jeans and a plain pink T-shirt, both fitted, both showing feminine curves he couldn’t help but admire. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders in damp waves, framing her porcelain skin, and her chocolate-brown eyes were still as deep and perceptive as he remembered.
“No problem,” he assured her. “It’s not like you knew I was coming.”
She extended her hand toward the couch. “Why don’t we sit and you can tell me what’s going on. Because I know you didn’t just happen to be in the neighborhood.”
He sat beside her and leaned forward on his elbows. Despite the fact that he’d had time to rehearse his speech on the three-hour ride here, the words weren’t easy ones. “I wish I had just been in the neighborhood because I hate what I have to tell you now.”
“Which is?” she asked, remaining calm and composed.
“Your uncle is getting married,” Ty said.
She shivered at his words, her revulsion at hearing about the man clear in her expressive face.
Unable to help himself, Ty reached out and covered her knee with his hand. He’d meant to comfort her but this first touch was electric and her leg flinched beneath his palm, telling him she was affected by his touch.
As for Ty, his body tingled and desire settled low in his belly. Damn, he thought. The old feelings were as real as ever, stronger even because he was older, wiser and he understood that his physical reaction was the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, his feelings for her still ran deep and he had to remind himself she was just passing through his life. She’d passed through once before, as had other people he’d cared for and lost.
After his father had taken off, Ty shut down until Hunter and Lilly arrived. He’d opened up to them only to have Lilly desert him in the end. Though she’d had no choice in going, she had had the option to return after she’d turned twenty-one and became of legal age. Even if she came to Hawken’s Cove with him now, it would only be to reclaim her money, not her old life.
Knowing that, Ty wouldn’t be putting himself out there for her in a way that would guarantee heartache and pain again. He slowly removed his hand.
“What does the fact that my uncle is getting married have to do with me?” Lilly finally asked, meeting his gaze with a hooded one of her own.
“His marriage is an aside, actually. He’s also decided to have you declared legally dead in order to get his hands on your trust fund.”
Her eyes opened wide and the color drained from her cheeks, leaving her pale. With a groan, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall. “The man is such a prick,” she said.
“That about sums it up.” Ty chuckled at her apt description.
Watching her reaction to the news, he didn’t know how he’d finish explaining the other reason he’d come. But then he reminded himself that although she appeared fragile and in need of protection, she had a deep internal strength that had served her all these years.
Ty cleared his throat and dove in. “You know this means you’re going to have to come home.”
Her eyes snapped open, her gaze one of horror. “No. No way.”
He’d expected her initial resistance, at least until she had time to think things through. “So you’re going to just hand over your trust fund without a fight?”
She shrugged. “I’ve done fine without it.”
He rose from his seat and began to walk around her small but cheery apartment. “I’m not going to argue the point. But it isn’t his money to take. Your parents left it to you and you’re still alive and well. It’s one thing to leave the money untouched, another to let that bastard get his hands on it.”
She inhaled deeply, her indecision and pain evident. “How’s your mom?”
He eyed her warily. “We’ll have to get back to the subject eventually.”
“I know but give me a chance to chew on it for a little while. So how is your mother?”