“If Tim has money, then he’s been to things like this before, okay? Easy-peasy! He probably owns a tux outright. Believe me. It won’t be awkward for him. It might even be an opportunity to come clean with everyone about who he really is.”
“Maybe…”
Elizabeth reached across the table and squeezed Jessica around the wrist. “Just think, you could be dancing in a gorgeous dress with your tall, hunky man in front of Stephen and his little tramp without a care in the world. Everyone will be in awe, and the looks on their faces will be a glorious sight to behold! Ask him—do it!”
***
The roar of the sturdy blower was muffled behind the protective headgear Tim wore as he finished blowing off Mrs. McDonald’s driveway. The sun was searing, zapping his energy, and sweat poured off his skin faster than he could guzzle water from a bottle. Almost finished, he looked forward to a refreshing shower and a cold drink. He didn’t hear the white Land Rover pull up in front of the residence, but caught Jessica waving in his direction out of his peripheral vision. Turning the machine off, he slipped the headgear around his neck and couldn’t help the enormous smile that spread across his face.
“Hey!” he greeted breathlessly while taking off his dirty gloves.
Jessica rested her arm on the rolled-down window of her SUV. “Hey yourself,” she smiled. The blasting AC drifted out the open window pushing her familiar fragrance toward him. Tim couldn’t help but inhale with pleasure.
“What are you doing out and about on this hot day?” He peered into the backseat. “And where are the girls?”
“They’re at home. Elizabeth volunteered to watch them while I went on a search for you.”
“A search for me?” His expression turned grim. “Is everything okay?”
Jessica ran her tongue across her top lip while suppressing a giggle. “Yes, everything is great. I wanted to ask you something. You don’t have to answer right away if you don’t want to.”
“Okay. It couldn’t wait until I was done working?” He shifted uncomfortably on the neatly trimmed grass edging the curb.
“No, it couldn’t wait. I’m too excited.”
Tim watched her chest heave as she inhaled, her blue eyes squinting in the sunlight. “I was wondering if you’d like to be my date at the Country Club Gala that’s coming up. You’ve probably been to these kinds of things before with all the charity work you’ve been a part of over the years, and I know you’ve been on the arm of some famous women on the red carpet in the past. Those pictures on the internet are proof of that.” She paused and took a breath. “To be honest, I need a date. Who better to take me than you?”
The way she was looking up at him with her beautiful smile and stunning eyes caused his manhood to stir. It was an innocent request—one that he could readily accept and perhaps, enjoy. But things were different. Jessica Kaufman was a recent divorcee who lived in an affluent country-club neighborhood where he was a hired yardman. At least, that’s what everyone thought he was.
He ran his hand down his whiskered chin a few times contemplating her request as she continued to ramble; a noticeable habit that happened when she was nervous.
“It’s black tie, and there’s going to be a big band and a great meal. And it’s for a wonderful cause! We’re raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The dress I picked out is long and pale yellow, but if you don’t like that color, I can always find something else. I usually wear my signature color, which is pink, but for some reason I decided to do something different. If you’re not into yellow and would prefer pink, we could even go shopping together if you’d like and….”
Tim placed two sturdy fingers over her mouth, causing her to stop mid-sentence. He watched her shoulders slump in a sigh.
“I’m doing it again, aren’t I? I’m just jabberin’ away like a magpie—”
“I’d love to be your date,” he interrupted.
He watched her eyes sparkle with glee. “You would?” she squeaked.
“Yes.”
A high-pitched squeal erupted out of her mouth as she jumped out of the vehicle and threw her arms around his neck. She peppered his cheeks with light kisses in broad daylight before landing on his hot mouth. When they came up for air, her smile was beaming as bright as the summer sun surrounding them.
“I’m going to have the most handsome date ever,” she gushed.
Tim chuckled and peeled her arms off him, keeping one of her small hands in his. “I’m almost finished here. You got any plans later?”
Her free fingers stroked the damp hair around his mouth. “I’d love to hang out with you.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah,” she replied in a breathy exhale.
He was a goner.
“Come to my house when you’re done. You can shower there, and I’ll make you dinner.”
