Chapter 86

Lily nodded quickly, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yes... I already promised someone else that I would have dinner with them. So, I can't break my word. I'm sorry." She lied. She hadn't promised anyone anything. The truth was she didn't want to go with Jacob. She didn't want to start anything that would go beyond work. She already had enough pain with David; she couldn't afford to create another misunderstanding or tie herself to someone else's feelings. Not right now, at least. Jacob's eyes studied her face carefully. His lips curved slightly, not in a mocking way, but as if he understood something. "Then invite them too," he said calmly. "We can all have dinner together. It's no problem for me." Lily blinked at him, her face tensing. "No… no, I don't want to bother you. It's already kind of you to offer me dinner. I can't drag someone else into it." She shook her head, forcing a small smile, though inside she felt restless. Jacob leaned slightly on the car, his hands in his pocke