“Thomas will be at the main entrance in 3 minutes. He’ll take you wherever you need to go.” “I should say goodbye to Megan first.” Jessica said, scanning the crowded room for her cousin. “I’ll let her know.” Gabriel assured her. “Family emergencies take precedence over wedding protocol.” Jessica nodded gratefully, then hesitated.
“This evening didn’t go as I expected.” “Nor I.” Gabriel replied, his blue eyes intense. “I don’t usually attend weddings where I barely know the couple.” “Then why did you come?” A slight smile played at his lips. “Let’s just say I had a feeling about tonight. It seems I was right.” Their moment was interrupted by another text notification on Gabriel’s phone.
“Thomas is waiting outside.” Jessica took a deep breath, suddenly reluctant to leave despite her concern for Lily. “Thank you for the dances, Jessica.” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and extracting a business card. “Take this. If you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. The number on the back is my personal line.
” She accepted the card, noticing the embossed Reed Enterprises logo and the handwritten number on the reverse. “I don’t know what to say.” “Say you’ll call.” he replied simply. “I’d like to know that your daughter is all right.” Jessica tucked the card into her clutch. “Goodbye, Gabriel Reed.” “Until next time, Jessica Barnes.
” There was no question in his tone, only certainty. The sleek black car waiting at the hotel entrance was unlike any vehicle Jessica had ever ridden in. The driver, Thomas, was professionally courteous, opening the door for her and confirming her address before smoothly pulling away from the curb. As the luxury sedan navigated the evening traffic, Jessica leaned back against the buttery leather seat, processing the surreal quality of the evening.
Had she really spent the past few hours dancing with one of the country’s wealthiest businessmen? The business card in her clutch felt like the only tangible evidence that Gabriel Reed wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Her mind drifted to Lily, her ever-present priority. A fever was probably nothing serious, but maternal worry twisted in her stomach nonetheless.
Her daughter had already lost one parent’s consistent presence. Jessica compensated by being doubly attentive, sometimes to the detriment of her own needs. By the time Thomas pulled up to her mother’s modest suburban home, Jessica had convinced herself that her encounter with Gabriel would remain a pleasant memory and nothing more.
Men like him didn’t pursue relationships with public school teachers who lived paycheck to paycheck in three-bedroom ranches. “Thank you, Thomas.” she said as he opened the car door for her. “Mr. Reed instructed me to wait and ensure you get in safely.” he replied with professional detachment.
Jessica nodded, oddly touched by Gabriel’s continued thoughtfulness even in his absence. She hurried up the walkway to her mother’s front door, which opened before she could knock. “Mom, how is she?” Jessica asked, stepping inside. “Sleeping now.” her mother replied, keeping her voice low. “The fever’s down to 99. I think it’s just a little cold.
” Relief washed through Jessica as she made her way to the guest bedroom where Lily slept. Her daughter’s dark hair was spread across the pillow, her cheeks still slightly flushed, but her breathing even and peaceful. Jessica placed a gentle kiss on Lily’s forehead, confirming that the fever had indeed receded.
“She was so worried about missing you when you got back from the wedding.” her mother said from the doorway. “Kept saying she wanted to hear all about the princess bride.” Jessica smiled, stroking Lily’s hair. “I’ll tell her everything tomorrow.” Well, perhaps not everything. Some details about a certain blue-eyed billionaire might remain private.
After checking once more on her sleeping daughter, Jessica changed out of her blue dress into borrowed pajamas from her mother. The events of the evening played through her mind as she prepared for bed. Gabriel’s confident smile and intense gaze featuring prominently in her thoughts. “So.” her mother said, bringing Jessica a cup of chamomile tea, “how was the wedding? Meet anyone interesting?” Jessica nearly laughed at the understatement.
“You could say that.” “Good-looking?” “Mom.” “What?” “I’m old, not blind to the fact that my daughter deserves happiness.” Jessica sighed, taking a sip of tea. “Yes, he was good-looking, very and successful, and surprisingly normal considering.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Considering what?” “Considering he owns the hotel where the wedding was held, among other things.
” Her mother’s eyes widened. “Now that sounds like a story worth telling.” Jessica related an abbreviated version of her evening with Gabriel, from table 19 to his offer of the car service. Her mother listened with growing excitement. “And you have his number?” she asked when Jessica finished. “Yes, but I probably won’t call.
” “Why on earth not?” Jessica gestured vaguely around her. “Mom, look at my life. Single mother, teacher’s salary, barely making ends meet some months. Men like Gabriel Reed don’t date women like me.” “That’s ridiculous.” her mother scoffed. “You’re beautiful, intelligent, and have more integrity than half the socialites he probably encounters.
Besides, he gave you his personal number. That means something.” “It means he was being polite.” Jessica insisted, though a small part of her wanted to believe otherwise. The next morning, Jessica awoke to Lily’s improved condition and dozens of questions about the wedding. She described the decorations, the cake, and Megan’s dress in detail, fulfilling her daughter’s fairy-tale expectations while carefully omitting any mention of Gabriel.
Some stories were too fragile, too new to share, even with her beloved child. After breakfast, Jessica checked her phone and was surprised to find a text from an unknown number. “I hope your daughter is feeling better this morning. Would it be presumptuous to ask if you both might join me for lunch next Saturday? There’s a place by the harbor with excellent mac and cheese.
