“What do I do?” Lillian groaned.
A voice came through the door. “First, you come out here and officially meet my mom.”
Lillian closed her eyes.
“Did I just hear Jack?” Wylder asked.
“Yes, gotta go.” She hung up and sucked in a breath before opening the door to find both Jack and Cara standing on the other side.
Jack stared at her in confusion, but Cara smiled.
“How much did you guys hear?”
Jack lifted a brow. “Well, the walls of this house are paper thin, so…” He spread his hands.
“All of it. Great.” Lillian shouldn’t be allowed in public. She’d trained for ballet her entire life, not social interactions.
“Family!” A deep voice boomed through the house.
Cara gave Lillian one final smile before turning and rushing toward the front door.
Jack stepped closer. “So, you, uh, know my mom?” He pulled on the back of his shirt.
A laugh bubbled out of her, and she couldn’t help it. This whole situation was ridiculous. “Kind of.”
“And you told her you liked it when I touched you?” He reached out, skimming his hand up her arm to the hollow of her neck.
She nodded, unable to speak.
He closed the distance between them, dipping his head. “And when I kiss you?”
Her head bobbed of its own accord.
His lips brushed hers, a featherlight touch when she wanted so much more.
“Not exactly information I expect my mom to know.” His laugh vibrated against her lips. “But she has a habit of making people trust her.”
“I did,” she whispered. “I trusted her.” She’d told Cara things she’d never dream of telling her own mother. Cara got deep truths while her mom only got lies.
Lies like how Lillian had a date from the academy for the debutant ball.
Footsteps coming down the hallway broke them apart, and Lillian turned to take in the burly Mr. Butler. A smile just as bright as his wife’s stretched his lips despite the weary look in his eyes. Lexi and Wyatt trailed excitedly behind him.
“Jacky,” Lexi called. “Daddy’s home.” Her little voice held so much joy.
Mr. Butler carried two pizza boxes in one hand, but he wrapped the other arm around his son. “There’s my boy.”
“Hey, Dad.” Jack didn’t shy away from his dad’s embrace. His smile widened as his family surrounded him. “Dad, this is Lillian. Mom, I hear you already know her.”
Cara surprised Lillian by pulling her into a hug. “Jack, I didn’t know the girl you were spending so much time with was my Lillian.”
My Lillian.
Not even Lillian’s mother would call her that, and she didn’t know Cara, not really.
“Mom.” Jack grinned. “You can let her go now.”
Cara pulled away with a sheepish expression on her face. “Forgive me if I’m happy the boy she’s been kissing is my son.”
Lillian’s cheeks flushed.
“Kissing?” Mr. Butler boomed indignantly. “Who has been kissing? My son is too young for such things. He’s only seven!”
“Dad.” Jack swatted him. “Stop, you’re going to scare her. No one has been kissing Wyatt.” He turned to Lillian. “Ignore him. He likes to make jokes that aren’t funny.”
Mr. Butler frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m hilarious.”
“Yeah, maybe to old people.”
“I think you’re funny, dear.” Cara sent her husband a look full of so much love Lillian had to glance away.
“See?” Mr. Butler jabbed a thumb her way. “Your mother has good taste.” He leaned around Jack to kiss her.
“Ew, gross.” Jack reached for the pizzas. “I’m going to take them before you guys drop them in your sappy reunion.” He jerked his head toward the kitchen, telling Lillian to follow him.
Wyatt and Lexi attacked the pizzas almost as soon as Jack set them down. He slid plastic plates toward them, but they ignored them.
Jack’s arm slipped around Lillian’s waist as he pulled her to him. “Sorry about them.”
She lifted her eyes to his, never wanting him to be embarrassed of a family who loved him. They were so different from her own. Both his parents were tired from long days of work, yet it seemed all they wanted was to be with their kids.
Lillian couldn’t remember the last time her mom had a job other than fundraising for some charity. And yet… she only wanted her daughter around when there was something in it for her. The social status that came with her daughter’s debutant year or with her ballet talent.
“Don’t apologize for your parents, Jack.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “Not ever.”
“Hey.” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Just… thanks for bringing me here.” For giving her a normal night among people who didn’t want anything from her except her company.
He pressed a kiss to her lips, smiling against her. “I like having you here.”
“Gross, my eyes.” Mr. Butler pretended to run into the fridge as he covered his eyes, making Lexi and Wyatt giggle. “Kissing is totally gross.” He tried to sound like a teenager, but it only came out sounding ridiculous.
Lillian pulled away, but Jack didn’t let her get far. He shot his dad a playful scowl. “Get lost, old man.”
“Now, now.” Cara walked around them to get to the pizza. “Let’s sit at the table and eat. I didn’t raise a bunch of heathens.” She sent a pointed stare to her two youngest children who stood using only their hands to eat, grease dripping down their fingers.
As if she was the only person anyone in the family would listen to, they all made their way to the table and served pizza onto plates.
“Mom.” Jack stared at her cutting a piece of pizza with a knife. “Are we only acting civilized because Lillian is here?”
She frowned, but Lillian could tell she wasn’t really unhappy. “Oh, fine. Just eat, ya barbarians.”
It was like her permission was the last thing they needed before all hell broke loose. Lexi and Wyatt sword fought with pieces of cheese pizza while Mr. Butler egged them on.
Cara sent Lillian a smile. “So, my son.”
Lillian stared down at her plate. “Yeah, look, I’m really sorry about all of that. I shouldn’t have told you—”
Cara reached for her hand to cut her off. “I’m glad. I don’t know you very well, Lillian, but I have watched you sit in my diner staring at food you refused to eat. I’ve listened to you speak about dance. But that day with Mia… when you told me about the boy you liked, it was the first time I saw more than determination in your eyes. You were happy. I’m so very glad it was my son who could bring that out in you.”
Jack’s hand found hers under the table, and she wondered if he’d heard his mom’s words, but he was lost in conversation with his dad.
Mr. Butler finished whatever he was saying and fixed his eyes on Lillian. “So, Lillian, tell us about you. I’ve got to admit, I was a bit surprised to find a girl here with my son. He never brings girlfriends home.” Jack elbowed his dad, but his dad only laughed. “What, son? Want me to lie to her?”
All eyes turned on Lillian, expecting her to say something, to tell them who she was, what she liked. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? She didn’t know.
“Lillian is a dancer.” Jack’s eyes met hers, and she sent him a silent thank you. “She’s preparing for a competition.”
“That’s wonderful.” Mr. Butler smiled. “I always thought Jack should compete, but he never agreed to it.”
Lillian knew why. Competitions were expensive, and Jack would never ask his family for anything for himself. “He’s a brilliant choreographer. If I win my competition, it’ll be because of him.”
His parents smiled, pride shining in their eyes.
Jack squeezed her hand.
“And what do you enjoy besides dance, Lillian?”
She knew little besides ballet and school. Yet, there was one thing looming that had been a focus for so long. “I’m in my deb year.”
“Your what?” Mr. Butler looked from Lillian to his wife.
Cara smiled. “I’m guessing you mean debutant?”
Lillian nodded.
“That’s wonderful. They don’t do debutant balls around here. Let me guess, you’re from the south.”
She nodded. “Lexington.”
“When is your ball?”
Lillian chewed on her lips. She hadn’t brought it up with Jack or told him how her mom had been trying to set her up with different boys for the event. And now… she either had to find someone to take or suffer the embarrassment of going unescorted. “Next weekend.”
Jack’s eyes shot to her.
An idea rose in her, one she wasn’t sure anyone in this house would understand. The best way to show her mother she couldn’t control her life was to bring someone of her choosing, despite his background. It would cause a stir at the ball to bring someone without a large family name behind him, but maybe that was the wake-up call her mom needed.
And besides, she couldn’t picture herself arriving with anyone else on her arm.
She turned to Jack. “I know it’s last minute and all, but do you want to come with me? You’d have to wear a suit and walk me down the stairs. We’d have to do the dances together, but you could pick up on those easily. I mean… if you want to. You don’t have to. You can say no.” She sucked in a breath to cease her rambling.
One corner of Jack’s mouth tilted into a smile. “Well, going to a ball isn’t exactly my style, but who am I to turn down Cinderella?”
“You’ll go?”
He nodded, one finger grazing her cheek. “Lillian, right now you could probably ask me to go to this thing naked and I would.”
She laughed. “Please don’t do that.”
He leaned toward her. “Only because you asked.” The moment his lips pressed against hers, his siblings started yelling and throwing balled-up napkins at them, reminding them they weren’t alone.
Lillian would have been embarrassed if not for the pressure of Jack’s hand in hers. She took a bite of pizza, wondering how she’d kept herself from eating it before. It would be rude to refuse food his family served her, right?
That night, she ate three whole slices.
19
Lillian
Jack tugged at the tight collar threatening to cut off his air supply.
“You look handsome.” Lillian took his free hand, swatting his other away from his father’s red tie.
“You should know you’re special, Lil. I don’t put on a suit for just anyone, much less a tie.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” She squeezed his hand, happy to have someone with her she genuinely liked as her escort for cotillion. Lillian was a pro at navigating these stuffy society events. She had a lifetime of experience behind her. “Tonight will be a lot more fun with you here.”
“It’s definitely fancy.” Jack gave her a nervous look.
“You’ll do fine.” Lillian smiled. “Just be yourself.” She glanced through the open archway into the crowded ballroom at her mother’s country club. The elite of high society were out in full force this evening, anticipating showing their accomplished daughters off. And her mother was at the center of attention, fully in her element among the other mothers.
“Is it just me, or is this whole thing kind of weird?” Jack asked. “We just walk down the stairs and let everyone ooh and ahh over you and your poufy white not-a-wedding-dress dress, and then we dance? And that’s it?”
“Pretty much.” She glanced down at the billowing white skirt of her dress. “It is poufy, isn’t it?” She laughed. “I look like something that goes on top of a cake.”
“You make it look good,” Jack said with a wink. “Poufy dresses seem to be a theme tonight.” He glanced at the serious faces of the other debutants waiting nervously for their night to begin.
“Not like I had a choice on the dress. Mom brought a dozen white dresses to school for me to try on weeks ago. Three hours of torture trying them all on, and what do I end up wearing? A dress I’ve never even seen before tonight.”
“Of course.” Jack shook his head. “Makes perfect sense.”
Lillian guided him away from the other debs and their escorts. She’d noticed more than one disapproving look thrown their way. Jack stood out among the escorts mostly clad in black designer suits and silver ties complementing their deb’s dress. Jack had borrowed his suit from his dad and it was slightly too big for his slim shoulders, and not at all the fine quality this crowd was used to seeing. None of that mattered to her.
Being with Jack was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. He always made her smile, and he was the best part of most of her days. But she couldn’t deny, there was a level of satisfaction she got from defying her mother by bringing someone she would disapprove of.
“Escorts, lead your ladies this way, please.” Mrs. Fitzgerald snapped her fingers, expecting them all to fall in line behind her. She was the lead mother in this event and had worked tirelessly guiding her debs through their important year of society events. And she took this event seriously.
“What’s with the whole escort thing, anyway?” Jack asked. “Not that I’m not happy to be here with you, but they act like you couldn’t possibly navigate that staircase without a man to help you. It’s creepy.”
Lillian snorted a very unladylike laugh, reaching to cover her mouth. Mrs. Fitzgerald glared daggers at them, but Lillian couldn’t stifle her giggles. “It’s so ridiculous, but my mother is obsessed with the tradition. It’s supposed to be about celebrating each debutant’s accomplishments and her entrance into high society, but it’s really a leftover tradition from another age and an excuse to have a ball.”
Lillian and Jack followed the others up the back staircase to the upper level balcony over the ballroom, built for this exact purpose.
“Line up with your ladies, gentlemen.” Mrs. Fitzgerald directed. “Very nice.” She smiled, inspecting each couple. “Such a charming group we have this year. Almost perfect, one might say,” she added under her breath, staring down her long nose at Jack.
“Ouch.” Jack shifted nervously at her side, tugging on his collar again.
“Don’t listen to her, Jack. She’s a snob.”
Jack shrugged. “Eh, some people just don’t see how pretty I am.”
“Ugh, where have you been all these years I’ve had to suffer through these events with my mother?” Lillian struggled to keep her serious debutant poise in place, but Jack was so much fun to be with.
“What’s with the charity case?” someone muttered.
“You know, I really hate this whole scene.” A pang of regret shot through Lillian as she said the words. She shouldn’t have subjected him to this nonsense. As much as she liked spending time with Jack, they were from two different worlds, and she’d dragged him into hers, knowing they wouldn’t accept him.
“I can take it.” Jack drew close, brushing a kiss along her ear. “I’m with the prettiest girl here.”
Lillian blushed, leaning into him as Mrs. Fitzgerald sent them to queue up for their grand entrance.
“This will be over soon, and I promise we can leave early. We’ll ditch the fancy dinner and go get something good once my mom is satisfied I’ve fulfilled my cotillion duties.”
“You had me at cheeseburgers,” Jack said.
“I didn’t say anything about cheeseburgers.”
“I heard cheeseburgers.”
“You’re hilarious. I’m supposed to be serious right now.” Lillian couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.
“Serious is overrated.” Jack held his arm out. They were up next. “May I escort you down these perilous stairs so my lady doesn’t fall on her pretty face?”
“Yes, please, I couldn’t possibly make it on my own two feet.” Lillian tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they stepped u
p to the top of the gilded stairs.
“Lovely, Lillian. Just lovely,” Mrs. Fitzgerald beamed at her in approval, barely sparing a glance for Jack.
“Ready?” Jack asked, reaching to squeeze her hand looped through his arm.
“Ready.” Lillian and Jack took the first step together to the oohs and ahhs of the crowd below. Someone announced her, reading off a laundry list of her accomplishments. She barely heard what they said about her, but she let out a startled gasp when they announced her escort as Jackson Butler III, rising star of the Defiance Academy polo team.
“Polo, huh?” Jack murmured. “That’s news to me.”
“It seems my mother’s been creative with her lies.” Lillian wanted to strangle her, but she held her head high as they made their way down the stairs. She heard the whispering and the odd looks cast their way. And there her mother was, right in the midst of the high society snobs, a look of horror on her face. That look gave Lillian all the satisfaction in the world. She stared back at her mother with confidence. All her life, her mother had influenced every facet of Lillian’s world, but things were changing. Lillian was changing. And it was time her mother realized that. She gripped Jack’s arm tighter, hoping her mother would see how happy he made her. A mother should wish that for her daughter. It shouldn’t matter where Jack came from. He was the best man in the room as far as she was concerned.
“Wonder where she got the idea I went to Defiance Academy?” Jack wouldn’t meet her gaze, and it sent a shiver of worry through her. She didn’t want to be the reason he felt uncomfortable.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Lillian dipped into a curtsy to greet the audience and took Jack’s arm again, moving to stand beside the other couples.
“Dancing is next,” Lillian said, not sure where Jack’s head was in all of this snobbery. She just wanted to leave as quickly as possible so they could put this nonsense behind them.
They stood in silence under an archway of fragrant flowers while a professional photographer snapped their photograph. The easy banter they’d shared all night had vanished somewhere on their way down the stairs, and Lillian didn’t know how to get it back.
Kissing the Debutant (The Dangers of Dating a Diva Book 3) Page 13
