Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Oh, my God,” Avery cut in with a little orgasm-like moan. “I need those cheesecake brownie bars in my life on a daily basis.”
Faith laughed. “Thank you. I was thrilled when Aurora asked me to cater the desserts. Hasn’t she done a fabulous job with this event?”
“Yes, she has. It’s impressive,” Jessica replied, glancing around the grand ballroom located in the Meridian NYC hotel, an upscale establishment owned by the Dare family. There were at least one hundred guests who’d attended the charity event, hosted by Aurora Dare—another woman connected to the Dare family by marriage—whose nonprofit, Future Fast Track for foster kids, would benefit from the influx of donations tonight.
It was a charity Jessica had a personal attachment to, since she’d been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome as a teenager. Knowing that she might not be able to have kids of her own as a result of PCOS, she’d already considered the possibility of adopting or fostering a child one day.
An announcement came over the speakers that the bachelor auction would be starting in thirty minutes, and after finishing up their conversation with Faith, Jessica and Avery headed to the ladies’ room to freshen up.
She was still enjoying her happy, tipsy state as they walked into the lounge—complete with velvet-cushioned chairs, couches, and mirrored vanities—until she heard a familiar, grating voice drifting from the adjoining partitioned area, where the bathrooms and sinks were located. The running water indicated someone was washing their hands.
Jessica stiffened, immediately knowing who the voice belonged to. Her high school nemesis, Claire Sutherland. The rich mean girl who’d made her life miserable back then, and the catty woman who still had an air of entitlement about her now. Not to mention, she’d once been Derek’s fiancée—a fact that left an unpleasant taste in Jessica’s mouth.
Her stomach gave a little twist, and when Avery mouthed to her, Do you want to go?, Jessica shook her head and stepped up to one of the mirrors. She hadn’t had any contact with Claire yet this evening, but now that they were in the same space, she refused to let the other woman run her off.
She wasn’t that insecure teenager any longer. Jessica had done a lot of growing and self-reflecting since graduating high school, even if Claire had not. Ten years later, and Claire was still shallow and judgmental. Though to your face, she tried to pretend she was all sweetness and sugar, her real self eventually showed through. Jessica had been the target of Claire’s teenage cruelty, but she refused to let the other woman intimidate her now.
The water shut off, and then came the sound of paper towels rustling, as Claire continued to speak. “If Derek refuses to take my calls or answer my texts, winning him at this bachelor auction for an entire weekend will definitely get his attention. I know he’s upset about what . . . happened, but I just need the chance to make it up to him.”
Jessica couldn’t ignore that slight pang in her chest when she thought about Derek and Claire having been together. That had been a tough pill to swallow, and she couldn’t imagine what Derek had seen in the other woman beyond the physical—though at least he’d come to his senses eventually and ended their engagement. Clearly, Claire wasn’t taking the breakup very well, even though it had happened well over six months ago.
Jessica pulled out her lipstick just as Claire’s best friend, Peyton, spoke.
“How do you think he’ll react when you tell him you’re taking him to our ten-year high school reunion so you can flaunt the fact that you snagged yourself a billionaire?” the equally mean girl asked.
“He doesn’t need to know that last part,” Claire said dismissively. “And he won’t have a choice in the matter once I win him and he’s mine for a weekend. I can’t show up without him.” She sounded desperate.
In the mirror, Jessica exchanged a glance with Avery, who rolled her eyes at Claire’s dramatics.
“Well, you could show up without Derek,” Peyton said. “But considering you’ve told most of our friends that you’re getting back together with him and you’ve already RSVP’d, adding him as your plus-one, yeah, it would look bad if you arrived solo.”
“It’s not going to happen,” Claire said resolutely. “Once I win him at tonight’s auction and we spend a weekend together, he’ll realize that I made a silly little mistake and I’m perfect for him.”
“Both of your mothers will be thrilled if you reconcile. After all, they’re the ones who wanted you two together in the first place.”
Avery made a gagging motion with her finger in her mouth, and Jessica stifled a laugh. From what she’d learned from her brother, Derek’s ambitious mother had wanted her son married into another influential family and had gone so far as to orchestrate the relationship. Though Ben had never divulged what silly little mistake had prompted Derek to break things off.