Chapter 15: Lily

Jack Sutherland stood off to the side in a dim corner, nursing a drink in one hand while his other hand was stuffed in his slacks pocket. He was staring at everyone around him, watching with his gray eyes as the others laughed and made connections. Lily watched him for a few moments, wishing someone would approach him and start a conversation. No one did, however. She was about to go say something to him when another couple came up to their table and said hello.

“Cassie, I’m glad you made it. I was excited to see you on the list of attending authors.” A lanky man with shaggy hair and hazel eyes reached out and shook Cassie’s hand. Turning, he extended his greeting to Lily. “Hi, I’m Theo. I’m one of the attending authors and a fan of your daughters.” He gestured to the blonde woman beside him. “And this is Nikki Sanford. It’s her first time at one of these events and she offered to help me out at my table, poor girl.”