“Me too,” I reply. “I’d never miss this, Mom. You know that.”
Mom smiles up at me and pats my hand. “I know, sweetheart.”
I’m dead serious. Even if part of me is somewhere else, thinking of someone else, I want to be here tonight, as I always have been. For Mom. For Colson.
“Ah,” Mom declares, raising her hand waving. “There’s that dramatic sister of mine..”
I laugh, turning to find Delilah sweeping into the ballroom like she owns the place, glittering and impeccable in her floor-length shimmering crimson gown, her hand looped through Jackson Romero’s arm. Jackson looks handsome in a custom tux, eyes sharp as he takes in the room. I knew I’d be seeing him tonight, but I feel a surge of nervousness, thinking of my presentation next week. I start going through my list of tasks, mentally checking things off to reassure myself that I’ll be ready in time.
The blueprints are sketched, the slides for the presentation are done…it’s really just the presentation now…
“Hello, my dears!” Delilah exclaims, dropping her hand from Romero’s arm to kiss Mom’s cheek before turning to me. “Sutton! You look radiant.”
“Thanks,” I grin, brushing my hands down the front of my gown.
Jackson smiles. “Hello, Sutton! It’s good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too.” I’m proud of how confident and calm I sound.
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He turns, gesturing over his shoulder. “My nephew, Gared.”
A man I hadn’t noticed before steps forward. He appears to be about my age, and he’s quite handsome with dark-hair, a clean shaved face, blue eyes, and a tailored tuxedo that fits his broad frame perfectly. Definitely good-looking and he holds himself with obvious confidence. Any woman would be thrilled to have his attention, except me — I’m just politely pleased to meet him.
Truth is, I can’t help but wish Jayce was here instead.
I shoot a questioning look at Delilah, who just grins and shrugs.
Gared grins as he offers me his hand. “Hi, Sutton. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good things, I hope,” I chuckle, shaking his hand, my engagement ring glinting.
“Only the best,” he assures me.
At that moment, music begins to play and people start moving toward the dancefloor. Gerard glances around, his eyes following the couples, then looks back at me “Would you like to…”
“She’s already taken.”
The deep, familiar voice cuts smoothly through the air, making my heart race and my breath stutter.
Slowly, I turn and am shocked to find Jayce standing behind me, dressed to the nines, smirking.
He’s wearing a dark tailored suit that fits him like a fucking glove, the jacket hugging his broad shoulders and tapering cleanly at his waist. A crisp white dress shirt stretches across his chest, the top button undone just enough to reveal the strong line of his throat. His tie is loosened, like he’s already ditched the most formal part of the evening.
His eyes lock onto mine. They’re dark and burning with something that sends heat straight through my chest. A slow smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Before I can recover from the surprise, he steps closer. The faint scent of his cologne wraps around me, stealing my breath. His hand reaches for me, his fingers sliding between mine before tightening into a firm grip.
The contact sends a sharp spark of heat up my arm.
“Jayce,” I breathe, startled as he pulls me toward the dance floor.
I glance back once and catch the surprise on Gerard’s face, the curiosity in Jackson’s eyes, and the delighted smiles on Mom and Delilah’s faces. When we reach the middle of the dancefloor, Jayce turns me to face him.
“How are you here?” I ask, immediately wincing at the silly question.
His gaze roams over me and his expression is warm. “I couldn’t miss this. I know how important it is to you.”
“I…” I shake my head, still stunned. “I thought you had a game.”
