Chapter 26

26

ELLA

Jack’s gaze drops to mine. He takes my hands, kissing the knuckles. “From the first time I saw her, I knew she was my somebody.”

My gaze floats to his and I forget everything for one long moment. Nothing they say or do, the entry they deny me into their posh world, the clothes women won’t sell to me, none of it matters.

Then, pop . I remember this is fake.

Turning back to Allain and Aston, Jack says, “See, I told you they’d be excited, congratulating us, and wishing us well in our future together.” He stabs each word with sarcasm.

The corner of Allain’s lip twitches with a smile he can’t muster.

Then Aston says, “Where’s the engagement ring?”

Having overlooked this detail, Jack quickly says, “We forgot it at the resort.”

Aston slices her eyes at Jack. “You’re not getting your mother’s red diamond if that’s what you’re thinking. ”

“It’s not up to you where my mother’s possessions go,” Jack says, his voice low like the growl of a wolf.

“Allain, tell him,” Aston whines.

“I said we’d discuss it, baby.”

Jack abruptly gets up from the table. “If this woman so much as lays a hand on anything that belonged to Mom, I’m out.”

“Ta ta,” Aston says, opening her palm with a wave.

“Son …” Allain starts.

“Father, we have our differences, but there is one thing that we don’t disagree on. Mom, her memory, and her belongings are off limits.”

“But what are we going to do with them? It’s not like we can keep her stuff like a museum.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Jack says.

From what I’ve gathered, Jewel Bouchelle was a classy lady, but maybe she has some “stuff” that’ll make Jack feel more like he has a home instead of just a place to live. I wonder if she liked to cook or bake, read or garden.

Allain huffs a breath. Aston’s eyes flash and I have a queasy feeling.

Jack says, “Ultimatums suck. I’d know, but not Mom. Seriously. Not Mom.”

Allain nods and his eyes flit to me for one moment. Behind them, I see a calculation and can almost hear him proposing a business deal to his son. Don’t marry me and he can keep all of his mother’s stuff as he wishes. Say I do, and it goes to Aston.

The last thing I want to do is come between this family.

Aston swipes rapidly on her phone, smirks, and then narrows her eyes at me. “Actually, what if they’re not really engaged? What if it’s all for show?”

Nerves jangle through me and my glass nearly slides out of my hand at the same time a loud voice says, “Allain and Mrs. Bouchelle, lovely to see you both.”

Jack and his father greet the guy and I stand up to join them because it’s polite. Aston merely gives a cursory wave in the newcomer’s direction. I know a thing or two about manners that she does not.

Jack slides his arm over my shoulders. I can’t tell whether it’s protectively or possessively. Eyes darkening, he says, “Ella, meet Stefan Smedley. He’s my father’s lawyer.”

“How do you do?” I ask.

His lips pooch and he leers. “Where have you been hiding her, Jackie-boy?” The man somehow has an angular voice. His thin, greasy black hair plastered to the top of his head does little to hide his balding dome.

“At the resort,” Aston mutters.

Once more, my nerves jump.

Stefan stares at me for a long and uncomfortable moment. “Oh, wait a minute. I do think I recognize you.”

I meet his gaze and regret it. I definitely remember him. It wasn’t unusual for guests to request extra towels. However, periodically, a story would circulate among the housekeepers that someone would answer the door naked as if the towel delivery were code for something.

It wasn’t until it happened to me that I fully believed it and was horrified. I quickly covered my shriek with my hand but not before it echoed down the hall and I scurried away, nearly losing my wig.

“You look like someone,” Stefan’s eyes slit and dart to Jack, Allain, and then back to me. He must remember my fright and rejection.

“She does have a beautiful face, but it’s one of a kind,” Jack says, sitting down next to me and taking my hand .

Stefan says, “I heard you were at the game. I bet it was a big help .”

Aston looks at him as if measuring an opportunity, an alliance.

“Excuse me,” I say, getting up to retreat to the bathroom again. The last thing I need right now is an embarrassing moment in front of Allain, Aston, or Jack.

He looks at me with a question in his eyes.

“Bathroom,” I say discretely, hoping only Jack hears.

“But you just went potty,” Aston says.

I level her with a glare. “Let’s remember our manners when we’re at the dinner table with the grownups.”

Turns out my sarcasm machine is back up and running.

Before Aston can retort, I hurry away with Jack at my heels. I zip down the hallway and through the wooden door. He follows and then we’re closed in the stall.

“You’re not supposed to be in here.”

“I go where you go.”

“As it stands, I’m the one following you around the country, but this is the ladies’ room.”

He shrugs.

“Just because you have a big bank account doesn’t mean you’re allowed in here.”

“What’s going on?” he asks.

I tell him the story about Stefan.

He shakes with laughter. “Are you sure it’s him?”

I whisper, “Did you see the way he looked at me? Of course, he remembers.”

“Smedley is probably embarrassed.”

“And feels rejected, so he wants revenge. Aston isn’t a fan of mine, either. What if they?—?”

Jack tilts his head from side to side. “You’ve got me. I won’t let them touch a hair on your head. ”

“He’ll expose me.” My whispers are frantic.

“Sounds like he already exposed himself.” Jack chuckles.

Ha ha ha , I mouth. “Your father doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.”

“Because you’re not part of one of his business deals. You’re a human.” He slides a piece of my hair behind my ear.

I want to lean into his hand and have him wave this all away.

“My father doesn’t see an opportunity or a way to exploit you—fame, fortune, or power aren’t your love languages.”

Someone enters the bathroom. We fall quiet, then I try to tell him with my eyes the worries that have multiplied like dust bunnies and won’t stop kicking and screaming. The loudest one shouts at me about how I don’t belong in this world, not even this fancy bathroom.

The hand dryer comes on, then the door opens and closes again.

I resume my litany of qualms. “And Aston hates everyone.”

“That’s nothing new. The real problem is she hates herself, so don’t take anything she says seriously.”

“The puck bunnies probably don’t believe that I’m with you and your friends probably won’t either, and?—”

“Do we care what they think?”

“Yes, if we want to sell this love story.”

We both go quiet and sip the air.

“For the record and to all present, I’d like to highlight my previous comment about you not being a business deal but a human,” Jack says as if conducting a legal case.

I whisper. “We have an arrangement, Jack. It’s too late to deny that.”

He lets out a long breath.

“They see this is fake and they’re not wrong.”

Jack gazes into my eyes for a long moment. “No?” He opens and closes his mouth, lips pressed together as if he wants to say more, then settles on, “We’ll do something about that, but not in here.”

I cock my head. “Are you suggesting another kiss?” I press my lips together, having made an agreement with myself. Every time I resist kissing Jack, I get a Hershey’s Kiss. Yes, I’m bribing myself with chocolate.

The corners of his mouth quirk. “I’m into it if you are.”

“Jack,” I whisper hiss, all but stomping my foot.

His gaze dips to mine. My mind turns foggy, and then I tear my eyes away.

“We hardly know each other. Aston already asked about the ring. What if she has more questions like your favorite song or allergies or I don’t even know because I don’t know—” My hand slides down my face like I’m posing for The Scream painting by Edvard Munch.

Jack takes my hand and leads me back to the table. Thankfully, Smedley is gone. Allain and Aston are now both on their devices.

“Change of plans. I’m craving pizza. Good night.” With a decisive nod at his father, Jack ushers us out of the restaurant.