Lilah's List by Robyn Amos Page A

youth at the ripe old age of twenty-nine. You see, this is how I ended up with an unusual tattoo in an unusual place.

    A s Tyler stepped through the entrance to Sapa restaurant, he realized he was early. He’d planned to hang back, perhaps arrive fashionably late, but he was actually eager to get the evening under way.
    He’d chosen the restaurant knowing that Lilah would appreciate the dramatic lighting combination of hanging lanterns and candles. It could be very romantic.
    Tyler blew out his breath, reminding himself that they weren’t here for that. Was this a classic case of wanting something he couldn’t have? Because this borderline obsession he was developing for Lilah was uncharacteristic.
    He walked over to the bar, hoping a stiff drink would put him in the right frame of mind. Before he could place an order, his cell phone rang. His brother’s number flashed on the screen.
    â€œReggie?” he answered.
    â€œYeah, I’ve got some bad news, bro.”
    Tyler gritted his teeth. “Just don’t tell me you’re not coming.”
    â€œI can’t make it. This is the only night I can meet up with Max in the studio.”
    â€œReggie—”
    â€œI know what you’re going to say, but aren’t you the one always preaching that my music has to come first? Well, that’s what I’m doing. I need to lay down a dance track if I want the DJs to spin ‘Love Triangle’ in the clubs.”
    Unfortunately, Tyler couldn’t argue with that. Which made him want to all the more. “Why can’t you just—”
    â€œI’m going to have to catch you later, man. Studio time isn’t free.”
    Tyler clicked his phone closed, unsure what to do with the frustrated energy coiling inside him. For the second time now, Reggie had put him in a position of not being able to deliver on his word.
    Why did Lilah want to date a guy like that anyway? If they got together for real, it would just be more of the same. On the other hand, he would never—
    Whoa. His thoughts were headed down the wrong track again. Lilah wanted a date with Reggie. He was the one she’d had a crush on in high school….
    Never mind that Reggie would never be able to appreciate a woman like her. Not the way Tyler could.
    That sentiment was reinforced as he watched Lilah walk through the door before Angie. Under her brown leather jacket, she wore a velvety-black V-neck sweater that begged to be touched, and a pair of hip-hugging black jeans and low-heeled black suede boots. Her hair flowed in curls from a high ponytail and her cheeks were rosy from the October chill.
    She looked cute. And sweet. And in that moment, Tyler felt a longing like he’d never felt before. What was it that was pulling him to her despite his better judgment? There was definitely something between them, and it was more than their impromptu make-out session the night before.
    He’d felt it when she was in high school. It hadn’t been romantic then. But it had been nice to talk to someone who didn’t want something from him. Even though he was in college, she’d been able to grasp the complex social issues he’d wrestled with at the time.
    Tyler had been going through a brooding phase where all the political injustices of the world weighed heavily on his young mind. It had been part of his nature, at the time, to debate everything, but she’d held her own in their discussions.
    Now, years later, he couldn’t remember anyone that had been as easy to connect with.
    Lilah spotted him right away, walking over and catching him in a one-armed hug. “There you are. This place is gorgeous.”
    Angie came up on his other side and did the same. Tyler was sandwiched between two beautiful women, and he no longer minded that Reggie wasn’t coming.
    But he had to get the dirty work out of the way. “I have bad news, ladies. Reggie’s not going to be able to make it