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“Lacie, stop. You are going to make me cry.”
“Lacie, if you make her mess up her make-up, I’m not going to take you out for Mexican food,” Anita, the stylist, playfully reprimanded Lacie.
“You wouldn’t?” Lacie choked out with a dramatic flair.
Jessie laughed, knowing that Mexican food was Lacie’s addiction.
“Oh yes, I would,” Anita retorted as she packed everything up.
Lacie looked at her watch and then turned her attention back to Jessie.
“Alright, Cinderella. Let’s get you downstairs, as your chariot will arrive soon.”
Jessie giggled. However, she did feel like a princess. And she couldn’t wait to see her Prince Charming at the ball.
As she gathered her clutch, which matched her nude shoes, Jessie headed to the elevator. As the elevator descended, the butterflies in her stomach began to stir again. She was still nervous about the speech, still anxious about the event and being in the spotlight, having just returned. But deep down, she knew she could handle it. She had to.
The elevator doors slid open to the lobby, and Jessie stepped out. She expected to meet the driver, but instead, she froze in her tracks as her eyes drank up the sexy man standing at the door.
Mac was dressed in a black tuxedo, looking more handsome than she could have imagined. His broad shoulders filled out the jacket perfectly, and his dark hair was tamed instead of its usual look of having Mac run his fingers through it. He looked like he walked straight out of a magazine.
For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
Mac’s eyes met hers, and for a split second, they just stared at each other, the world around them fading away. Then, a slow smile spread across his face as he took her in, his gaze lingering on the gown before meeting her eyes again.
“You look incredible, Jess,” he said softly, his voice filled with admiration. “I knew that dress would suit you.”
Jessie’s heart raced. “Mac, I don’t even know how to thank you for all of this.
Mac stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always do what I can for you.”
She felt the warmth of his presence, the steady calm he always brought with him. “I’m still a bundle of nerves,” sheadmitted with a soft laugh, feeling a little more vulnerable than she intended.
Mac reached out and gently took her hand, reassuringly squeezing it. He then lightly kissed her cheek. “You’re going to do great tonight. And I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.”
She looked at him, thinking how lucky she was to have him in her life.
“I thought you had to work the event.”
He smirked. “That’s what my employees are for. Tonight is about you.”
Jessie looked into his eyes, feeling the nerves settle just a little. With Mac by her side, she knew she could face anything—even the chaos of what the gala would bring.
???
Mac helped Jessie into the limo before sliding in behind her. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She looked absolutely stunning. The moment she stepped off the elevator, and he saw her, he almost said fuck the gala and took her back to her place to make love to her.
As he sat beside her, his eyes kept drifting to her. He could sense the tension in her while she looked every bit of the confident woman she was. The way she kept fidgeting with her hands, along with the slight edge in her voice whenever they spoke about the gala, it was clear she was nervous.
She tried to hide it, but he knew Jessie too well.
Seeing the gap in the slit of her dress, revealing her silky long leg, he placed his hand on her thigh, giving it a slight squeeze.
“Hey, don’t be nervous. You’re going to be amazing,” he said softly.
Jessie turned to him, offering a small smile. “I’m not so sure about that. I’ve given speeches before, but not in front of this many people. Plus, I don’t want them gossiping.”
Mac used his thumb to trace circles over her leg gently. “Hey, it’s just a few hundred people. No big deal.” His tone was light, teasing, as he tried to ease the tension within her.
