The restaurant by the harbor was upscale yet welcoming, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. When they entered, the maître d’ greeted Gabriel by name. “Mr. Reed, your usual table is ready.” Gabriel placed his hand lightly on the small of Jessica’s back as they were led through the restaurant. The gesture was subtle yet possessive, sending a flutter of awareness through her.
They were seated at a corner table with a spectacular view of sailboats gliding across the bay. “This place is fancy,” Lily whispered loudly to Jessica. Gabriel leaned in conspiratorially. “It is, but they make the best mac and cheese in the state. I had them put it on the menu specially today.” Lily’s eyes widened.
“You can do that?” “Sometimes,” Gabriel replied with a wink, “when it’s for an important food critic like you.” Jessica observed their interaction, feeling both touched and slightly alarmed at how quickly Lily was warming to Gabriel. Her daughter had never known consistent male attention. Mark’s sporadic visits over the years had dwindled to birthday calls and occasional child support checks.
She didn’t want Lily becoming attached to someone who might not remain in their lives. As if sensing her thoughts, Gabriel turned to Jessica. “I took the liberty of asking the chef to prepare a few options. I hope that’s all right.” “Of course,” she nodded, appreciating his thoughtfulness even as she reminded herself to maintain emotional boundaries.
Lunch progressed with surprising ease. Gabriel asked Lily questions about school and her scientific interests, listening with genuine attention to her animated responses. Between discussions of marine creatures and third grade politics, Jessica found herself relaxing, drawn into their comfortable dynamic. “So,” Gabriel said during a lull while Lily was occupied with her promised mac and cheese, “you never did tell me the unsimplified version of Jessica Barnes’s story.
” Jessica took a sip of her sparkling water. “There’s not much more to tell. I married my college boyfriend when I found out I was pregnant. We were too young, too different in what we wanted from life. He wasn’t ready to be a father.” “His loss,” Gabriel said quietly, his gaze shifting briefly to Lily before returning to Jessica.
“And since then?” “Since then it’s been about creating stability for Lily, teaching, managing a household, being both parents.” Jessica shrugged. “Dating hasn’t been a priority until now.” There was a hint of challenge in his question. Jessica felt a blush rising to her cheeks. “I didn’t say that.” “You didn’t have to.
” His confident smile should have been irritating, but instead, she found it disarmingly charming. “What about you? There must be a story behind the billionaire who sits at table 19 and dances with single mothers.” A shadow crossed Gabriel’s features. “My story is considerably less noble than yours.” “I doubt that.
” He was quiet for a moment, seeming to debate how much to share. “The simplified version, workaholic businessman builds empire, neglects personal life, wakes up at 42 with everything and nothing simultaneously.” Jessica was struck by the unexpected vulnerability in his admission. “And the unsimplified version?” Gabriel’s blue eyes held hers.
“That might require more than one lunch to fully explore.” The implication that there would be more occasions like this hung between them, both tantalizing and terrifying. “Mr. Reed,” Lily interrupted, having finished her mac and cheese, “do you have a boat? Because there’s a really cool one out there.” She pointed toward the window.
Gabriel followed her gaze to a sleek yacht moored at a nearby dock. “As a matter of fact, I do. That one, actually.” Lily’s jaw dropped. “That’s your boat?” “Would you like to see it?” he offered. Lily turned to Jessica with pleading eyes. “Can we, Mom? Please?” Jessica hesitated. Stepping onto Gabriel’s yacht seemed like crossing a threshold, moving from casual lunch into his world.
But the hopeful excitement on Lily’s face made resistance difficult. “If it’s not an imposition,” she said cautiously. “Not at all,” Gabriel assured her. “In fact, I was hoping you might agree to a short sail. The weather is perfect.” An hour later, Jessica found herself on the deck of Gabriel’s yacht, the shoreline receding as they cruised gently through the bay.
The vessel was luxurious without being ostentatious, clearly expensive but designed for actual sailing rather than just showing off wealth. Lily had been given a tour by the captain, who was now teaching her about navigation on the bridge. “She’s a remarkable child,” Gabriel said, joining Jessica at the railing. “You’ve done an incredible job with her.
” “Thank you,” Jessica replied, genuinely touched. Few people understood the challenges she’d faced as a single parent. “She’s my world.” “I can see that.” Gabriel was standing close enough that their shoulders almost touched. “It’s one of the things that drew me to you at the wedding.” “What do you mean?” “When Harriet mentioned you had a daughter, something changed in your expression.
There was this light, authenticity. In my world, that’s rare.” He turned to face her fully. “Jessica, I should be honest about something.” A knot of apprehension formed in her stomach. “What is it?” “I knew who you were before I sat at table 19.” Jessica frowned. “I don’t understand.” Gabriel took a breath.
“David, the groom, worked for me several years ago. When he sent the wedding invitation, he included a note mentioning his fiance’s cousin, a single mother who’d been through a difficult time. He thought we might have things in common.” Jessica felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and the first stirrings of anger. So this was “What? A setup? A charity case?” “No,” Gabriel said firmly.
“David merely suggested I might want to meet you. The decision to approach you was entirely mine after I saw you at the ceremony.” “You watched me during the ceremony?” Jessica took a step back, unsettled. “That sounds more sinister than it was,” Gabriel said, a hint of frustration in his tone. “I noticed a beautiful woman sitting alone, looking both happy for the couple and a little sad for herself.
