Page 30 of One Drink
“Just watch Jake—he’ll show you.” Kate pulled me in for a hug, and it was just what I needed.
I was glad I asked my friends to come over and help me get ready. I needed their support and words of encouragement more than I realized.
Kate grinned. “Come on, let’s get you some jewelry. I brought the perfect earrings.”
I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The dangling crystal earrings with ruby accent stones were a perfect match. They added just the right amount of glitz to my look, especially when combined with my updo. I opted not to wear the matching necklace. A row of rhinestones adorned the top of my dress—the necklace would only detract from it, and I didn’t want anything to detract from this dress. It hugged my curves from my chest to my hips and flowed freely to my ankles. The side slit stopped mid-thigh, just high enough to draw the eye to my thin, shapely legs.
“You look amazing.” Kate smiled next to me. “Just promise us you’ll have fun tonight and not overthink this. Soon enough, he’ll do something that triggers the right emotions in you, and you’ll just know.”
“It’s that easy, huh? I’ll just know.” I sighed. If anyone would know, I guess it would be someone who’d been in love before. Neither Kate nor Zoe had found a love that lasted, but they both had been in love in the past.
“Yep.” Zoe wrapped her arm around me and gave me a gentle hug. “And for the love of God, let him take this dress off you afterward so he can see you in your undies. Don’t think I didn’t notice the matching red lingerie you’re wearing. That shit’s gonna kill him.”
We all broke out in laughter. Leave it to Zoe to end a serious conversation on a humorous note. I could always count on her to lighten any mood.
When the doorbell rang, Zoe bounced on her feet and clapped her hands, making us laugh again. I may have laughed, but my stomach instantly turned in knots as my anticipation kicked into overdrive.
“I’ll go get it.” Zoe ran out of the room.
Kate wrapped her arm around me and gave me a gentle hug. She could always see right through me and could read every one of my expressions, even the ones I faked. “It’ll be fine, Steph. Are you more nervous about Jake or your father?”
“Jake, definitely. I know how to handle my father. I’ve had a lifetime to learn how to manage him. But Jake—this is new territory, and I’m terrified.”
“I know, sweetie.” Kate put her hands on my shoulders and turned me to face her. “Let’s go watch him sweat bullets when he sees you in this dress.”
Jake was engrossed in a conversation with Zoe when I stepped out of my bedroom. He lifted his eyes to me and stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened, and even from where I stood on the opposite side of the room, I saw his hands tremble. There were no words to be spoken. His eyes told me he more than liked what he saw when he looked at me. I held my gaze on his for what felt like hours until his eyes raked down my body and back again.
“Wow, you look ...” The bow tie around his neck bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard. “You’re beautiful.”
I’d seen Jake in a tux plenty of times in the past, but he never looked this good. Did this tux fit him differently or was this the first time I really noticed how his jacket fit against his hard chest and tapered to hug his trim waist? Or how kissable his sharp jawline was and how his glacial stare looked at me like I was the only person in this room with him?
“Alrighty, I think that’s our cue to leave.” Kate kissed me on the cheek, grabbed her purse and hooked her arm through Zoe’s as she headed to the door. “You kids have fun tonight.”
As soon as the door latched shut, Jake was across the room with his arm wrapped around my waist, pressing my body snug against his. My mouth ran dry at the naked lust in his gaze. The intensity of his stare caused my heart to pound like a stampede was running wild.
When his lips touched mine, I melted. There was just Jake and me and this passionate kiss that set my body on fire. Every nerve ending exploded, and despite our bodies being pressed together, there was entirely too much space between us. I needed him—all of him—with me and inside me.
And then I knew.
“Oh, my God.” I breathed against his lips. I was in love with Jake. This was what Kate and Zoe were trying to explain to me. I felt it with every fiber of my being. I loved him, and he loved me. He pressed another kiss to my lips before he peppered a line of kisses along the edge of my jaw and down my neck. When his lips brushed along the top line of my dress, I gasped. “Jake, you’re going to mess up all the hard work I did to get ready.”
“Then you shouldn’t have worn this dress.” He smiled before he kissed me again. “Here, these are for you.”
I’d been so distracted by him, I didn’t notice the bouquet of red roses in his hand. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” He kissed me and my cheeks warmed. I put the roses in a fresh vase next to the white lilies he’d given me earlier this week. When I turned back toward him, he held his hand out to me with a smile. I took it, and for the first time in my life I knew exactly what I wanted in a relationship.
I wanted Jake.
***
THE FAINT MELODY OFthe orchestra echoed through the large foyer as we made our way to the registration table. The charity event was held at the Metropolitan Club. The ornate architecture and exquisite artwork made it the perfect venue for this type of fundraiser. Mary Ann stood next to the table and waved us over when she saw us standing at the end of the line.
“Stephanie, you look gorgeous.” Mary Ann pulled me in for a hug. “I love this red on you.”
“Thanks. You look fabulous, too.” She wore a simple, yet elegant, long-sleeve black satin dress with a wide scooped neckline. She’d tamed her wild blond curls into a tight bun at the base of her neck, and her high heeled shoes added three inches to her height. “Let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Jake Williams. Jake is the writer assigned to this story. Jake, this is Mary Ann, the curator for the gallery.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jake’s smile grew three sizes as he shook Mary Ann’s hand.