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Lily told them, “She died when I was thirteen But she was born in France, lived there until she was seven, and then her faht ether She alanted to go back—she’d never been to Paris But her family couldn’t afford to return When she e and a trip that she and I would h school”

Lex felt a drop on his chest Assumed it ater from her hair But there was another small splash And he knew better

Lily said, “She got sick Ovarian cancer The Angelinis paid for her surgery and she recovered For a while Then it was stoain The third time, she swore both my father and elinis for their help that she couldn’t accept anything further fro their generosity Plus, it was a late-stage diagnosis My father was deterht of her leaving him was too unbearable for him to accept That depleted all bank accounts”

“I’

“Thank you, butdon’t be That treatave her an extra six months beyond her doctors’ predictions The absolute best six le penny”

“Jesus,” Jax muttered

“It’s okay, really” There was raw emotion in her voice, but she spoke in a steady tone Well, al when I was sixteen so that I could takeParis I plan to spend aher ashes with me to scatter”

Over the top of her head, Lex and Jax exchanged a look in the flickering of flaht to see that Jax’s eyes had turned darker than normal And his prominent features were hard-set

Lex took a deep breath Then said, “You’ll be the toast of Paris in all those gowns”

Her head lifted She stared at hih watery eyes “I can’t keep all of those, Lex Just the first one”

He brushed away a few drops from her cheek “They’re yours, Lily”

“Don’t argue,” Jax interjected “Because then I’ll have to get all broody with you again”

She let out a s over at Jax, she said, “Soardless It seems to be your most common state”

“Yeah, well” He shrugged

Lex coaxed her to return her head to his chest “Just let us give you the gift, Lily”