Charming Lily by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

knowing he was going to dump me a second time? Was that his way of easing his conscience? And what about all those stock options he gave me? I guess he wanted to be sure I didn’t starve. Actually he made me a multimillionaire. The last time I looked, Digitech was around $160 a share. He just kissed me off in the blink of an eye, didn’t he?”
    â€œYeah, that’s exactly what he did. Oh, Lily, I’m so sorry this happened. I wish there was something I could do to wipe away that horrible look on your face.”
    Lily swallowed her glass of wine in two long gulps and held it out for a refill. “What is this?” she asked, pointing to her plate.
    â€œChicken something or other. It’s what you ordered. It’s good. Try eating something, Lily. Listen, I think I’m going to delay my trip a few days and stay here in Natchez with you. I don’t feel right leaving you.”
    â€œNo, no, no. I walked into this with my eyes wide-open. I have no one to blame but myself. I’ll be okay. When you stop to think about it, a million-dollar kiss-off plus stock options isn’t so hard to take. I’m going to enjoy spending every single penny of Matt Starr’s money,” Lily said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
    â€œLily, don’t cry.”
    Lily gulped more wine as she stared at the busy waiters rushing about “He’s not worth my tears is he? How much did I pay you for your house? My brain is numb. I can’t seem to think or remember anything. I don’t think I’m going to sell the condo. I’ll just close it up. I’m not in any condition to make decisions that involve large sums of money right now.”
    â€œGood thinking, Lily. There’s no hurry to sell. Consider it a sanctuary in case you ever feel the need of one. Eighty thousand, and I robbed you. It’s costing you five times that amount to fix it up. That monstrosity Mom willed to me was just sitting empty for twenty-five years. I’m glad to be rid of it and the taxes that go with it. I’ll remind you of that tomorrow when you’re sober. You said you were using all your inheritance to refurbish it. That’s not counting your kiss-off money and all those stock options,” Sadie said sourly.
    Lily nodded as she poured more wine into her glass. “You don’t think he’s lying dead somewhere, do you, Sadie?”
    â€œNo, I don’t think he’s lying dead somewhere. Eat something, Lily.”
    â€œWhat did you do with the food from the reception?”
    â€œI told Rene Adams to take it to the nearest homeless shelter or soup kitchen. She wanted to know what she should do with the flowers. I told her to send them to a nursing home. I hope that was okay, Lily.”
    â€œThat was nice of you. People say their hearts break all the time. I always thought that was impossible, but it’s true. My heart feels like it was shattered. How am I going to get over this?”
    â€œOne day at a time, Lily. The same way you did it before.”
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    Lily wrapped her arms around Sadie one last time. I’ll miss you, Sadie. I don’t know how to thank you for everything. This is the second time you’ve . . .”
    â€œShhh,” Sadie said, placing her index finger on Lily’s lips. “We’re friends. I’ll call every chance I get. I’m going to miss you so much, Lily. You should leave before we both start to cry. Buzz is waiting for you in the car. If you need me, all you have to do is call, and I’ll be on the next plane back here. Deal?”
    â€œDeal.”
    â€œThey’re calling you to board. Call, okay?” Lily said in a choked voice.
    â€œYeah, you, too. Oh, God, I almost forgot. I’ve been meaning to give you this forever. I kept forgetting. It came with the house. It’s probably just a trinket of some kind. I found it wedged in the back of one of the closets. It always helps to have