“Yes. Jacque is wearing an ascot that matches it perfectly. All he needs is a top hat and cane to complete his royal fantasy.” Elizabeth tittered with giggles. “Do we need to stop by and pick you up? Or is your lovely ‘Neanderthal’ picking you up in his truck?”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “He could pick me on a riding lawnmower for all I care. God, Elizabeth—I’m so excited for tonight!”
With her head tilted, Elizabeth gazed back at her and nodded. “You deserve this. All of it. I have loved watching you bloom before my eyes, and I have the hunky gardener to thank for it. Seriously, enjoy every second.” She paused with her eyebrow cocked. “And if you want to tell me who he really is before the event starts, I’d be fine with that too—”
“Good try,” Jessica interrupted. “I told you, when he’s ready you’ll be the first to know.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Luanna?Luanna!” Jessica yelled through a crack in her bedroom door. She wasn’t quite ready for her daughters to see her fully dressed for the Gala but needed last minute help zipping the back of her gown.
“Yes, Mrs. Kaufman?”
“Please, call me Jessica. Can you help? I can’t seem to zip this up all the way.”
“Sure.”
The pretty Hispanic girl entered the master bedroom as Jessica turned around and lifted her long hair up with her hands.
“Wow. This dress. You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She blushed. The dress was efficiently zipped up, and she turned around in a twirl. “I feel like a princess,” she giggled.
“The color is so nice. It’s the perfect dress for you.”
Jessica couldn’t help but gaze into the floor-length mirror again, the pale yellow, silhouetted A-line dress emphasizing her bust with the sweetheart neckline and sequined bodice. How could she not feel like a princess in this special piece? She picked up the drop earrings on her dresser and put them on. The only other jewelry she wore was a simple bracelet that matched her silver heels. Her long, blonde hair was fixed in flowy waves, and she had never felt more beautiful— not even on her wedding day to Stephen many moons ago.
Sighing deeply, she turned back to Luanna. “Okay. I’m going out there, but I can’t have the girls pulling on me or pawing me with excitement. Help me keep them under control. Are you ready?”
The girl smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Jessica’s long skirt swished as she made her way into the living space. Her daughters looked up, wide-eyed with mouths open. When nothing was said, Jessica broke the silence. “Well? What do you think? Does mommy look pretty for the ball?”
“You look like Princess Belle, Mama,” Jennifer exclaimed while slowly approaching.
Jill and Julia seemed tentative and clung to Luanna’s tanned legs, staring at her in awe.
Jessica knelt so she could be eye-level with her daughters. “Tim is picking me up, and I’ll be gone until the stroke of midnight. But see my shoes?” She hiked up her skirt, displaying her silver pumps. “They’re not glass, so I won’t turn into a pumpkin.”
Jennifer giggled. “Cinderella doesn’t turn into a pumpkin, Mama. Her carriage does.”
Jessica reached out and stroked the child’s cheek. “Well, I’m not going to lose any of my shoes, and even if I did, Tim knows where we live.”
Just then, the doorbell rang, causing Jessica to inhale sharply. She stood tall and smoothed the bodice of her dress, anticipating Tim’s arrival.
“Would you like me to get that?” Luanna asked.
“No. I’ll get it.” She walked toward the front door. “Girls, please stay with Luanna until I bring Tim inside, okay?”
“Okay, Mama,” Jennifer and Jill said in unison.
Jessica confidently strode to the entrance and could see the outline of Tim in his black tux. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she reached for the knob and turned. When their eyes met, she felt faint. Standing on the threshold of her home was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. His tux fit like a glove on his massive, solid frame, and his face was chiseled and sharp in the fading light of dusk.
“You shaved,” she whispered, surprised at her reaction. The heat that suddenly pooled in her belly dropped lower and dampened the delicate lace panties she’d put on an hour ago. His full lips accentuated against his smooth skin, his square jawline masculine and perfect. The green in his eyes seemed more noticeable, his entire face rivaling that of a male supermodel.
Pulling on his chin with a rugged hand, he bit his lip. “Yeah… about that. I got a little carried away because I haven’t shaved in so long. I hope you don’t mind. I feel—naked.” He laughed, causing her to laugh too.
“You’re so handsome,” she gushed.
