“My dad has all these books about you.” Jessica’s memory clicked into place. Gabriel Reed, tech entrepreneur turned investor, owner of Reed Enterprises, which had revolutionized renewable energy storage before expanding into hospitality, healthcare, and a dozen other industries. His face occasionally appeared on business magazines, though he was known for valuing privacy over publicity.
“I don’t follow the money pages much.” Harriet said, adjusting her hearing aid. “What exactly do you do, young man?” Gabriel laughed, a warm, genuine sound that softened his otherwise imposing presence. “A bit of this, a bit of that. Mostly, I invest in people with good ideas.” “He’s being modest.” Jessica found herself saying.
“Reed Enterprises is behind some of the most innovative green energy solutions on the market.” Teaching science to third graders had made environmental innovations particularly interesting to her. “My class did a project on your solar battery technology last year.” Gabriel’s eyes sparked with genuine interest.
“You’re a teacher, third grade at Westbrook Elementary.” “A noble profession.” he said, and unlike when most people said it with that subtle tone suggesting nobility compensated for poor pay. His words held genuine respect. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the main course. While the rest of the table received identical plates of chicken piccata, a server presented Gabriel with a perfectly seared salmon fillet.
Jessica couldn’t help noticing the empty chairs surrounding them, originally intended for other singles or distant connections, now making their small group appear even more isolated in the busy ballroom. Across the room, Megan and David moved between tables greeting guests with radiant smiles. Jessica watched her cousin, beautiful in her flowing white gown, her face glowing with happiness.
She remembered the girls they had been, building blanket forts, sharing secrets, planning their dream weddings. Megan’s dream was now reality, while Jessica’s had crumbled when Mark walked out leaving her with mortgage payments, a toddler, and the shattered remains of the future she’d envisioned. “Your daughter.
” Gabriel said, pulling Jessica back to the present. “Harriet mentioned you have a daughter.” Jessica nodded, surprised he’d been paying attention to their earlier exchange. “Lily. She’s seven going on 17, too smart for her own good, and determined to become a marine biologist.” “You sound proud.” “I am.” Jessica smiled, feeling the warmth that always spread through her when thinking about Lily.
“She’s everything to me.” Gabriel nodded, something unreadable passing across his face. “Children have a way of reordering our priorities.” Before Jessica could ask if he had children of his own, the DJ announced the first dance. Lights dimmed as David led Megan to the dance floor.
They swayed gracefully to a romantic ballad, lost in each other’s eyes as if they were the only people in the room. “Young love.” Harriet sighed wistfully. “Nothing quite like it.” Jessica watched the couple, remembering her own wedding dance with Mark, so full of hope for their future, unaware of the challenges that would eventually break them.
She had been 23, still finishing her teaching degree when she discovered she was pregnant. Mark had proposed out of obligation more than love, she realized in retrospect. Their marriage had been a house built on a foundation of sand, destined to collapse under the first real pressure. Lily’s birth and the realities of parenthood. “So.
” Gabriel’s voice drew her attention back to the table. “What brought you here alone tonight, Jessica Barnes?” The directness of his question caught her off guard. “Megan’s my cousin. I wouldn’t miss her wedding.” “That’s not what I asked.” His blue eyes held hers steadily. Jessica felt a flicker of irritation. “Not everyone has a plus one, Mr. Reed.
” “Gabriel.” he corrected, unfazed by her tone. “And you strike me as someone who could have a companion if she wanted one.” “Appearances can be deceiving.” Jessica replied, taking a sip of her wine to avoid elaborating. “Indeed, they can.” Something in his expression suggested he wasn’t just making conversation.
He was genuinely intrigued by her. The music changed, and the DJ invited all couples to join the newlyweds on the dance floor. The ballroom came alive as pairs rose from their tables, flowing toward the center of the room like tributaries joining a river. Jessica remained seated, acutely aware of how the exodus emphasized the emptiness of their table.
“Would you care to dance?” Gabriel asked unexpectedly, standing and extending his hand toward her. Jessica stared at his outstretched hand. “I don’t need your pity, Mr. Reed.” “Gabriel.” he reminded her again, his hand remaining steady. “And this isn’t pity. This is me asking a beautiful woman to dance at a wedding.
” Heat crept up Jessica’s neck. She hadn’t been called beautiful in a very long time. “I’m not very good at it.” she hedged. “I am.” he replied with such casual confidence that she nearly laughed. Against her better judgment, Jessica placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her toward the dance floor. She was acutely conscious of the curious glances directed their way, the billionaire hotel owner and the unknown woman in the blue dress from the back table.
Gabriel’s hand settled at her waist, warm and sure, as he guided her into the rhythm of the music. Despite her warning, they moved together with surprising ease, as if they’d danced together many times before. “So.” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “Are you going to tell me the real story of Jessica Barnes?” “What makes you think there’s a story?” “Everyone has a story.
” he replied, “especially people who end up at table 19.” Jessica considered deflecting again, but found herself unexpectedly willing to share. “The simplified version? Married young, had a child, husband decided fatherhood wasn’t for him, left when our daughter was three. I’ve been focused on raising Lily and building my career since then.
