Page 38 of The Billionaire's Virgin

“Briefly.” Jennifer nodded. “He didn’t impress me.”

“No,” I agreed. “Me neither.”

“Don’t worry about Reed,” Jennifer said. “He’ll come around.”

I sighed. “At the moment, I don’t really care. I just want to know that Jenna’s going to be okay.”

Jennifer smiled at that. “Well, I’ll make sure you do.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

“Don’t think too badly of Reed,” Jennifer said. “I know he can come off a little… cold and harsh at times. But he’s been through a lot. Sofia really did a number on him.”

“Sofia,” I repeated the name with distaste.

“Are you aware of what happened there?” Jennifer asked, realizing that I might not know about the history there.

“I am, actually.” I nodded. “Well, I know a little bit at least. She is Reed’s ex-girlfriend.”

“She turned out to be a complete psychopath. When Reed broke up with her, she went apeshit and tried to rip apart his whole apartment. Jenna was in her room, and she came running out scared. Sofia grabbed her and threatened to fling her out of the window if Reed didn’t take her back.”

“What?” I gasped, unaware of this part of the story.

Jennifer nodded. “It wasn’t just an empty threat either. She started dragging Jenna to the balcony while the kid screamed and tried to get away from her. Reed had to tackle Sofia to the floor and even then, she almost scratched his eyes out.”

“Oh my God,” I breathed.

“Jenna didn’t talk for three weeks after that.”

“No,” I gasped.

“Reed was out of his mind with worry,” Jennifer nodded. “He thought that the whole experience had been so traumatic for her that she was going to be permanently mute. He took her to several therapists in that three-week period.”

“What made her start talking again?” I asked.

“I suppose the shock finally wore off… and Reed was with her around the clock for those three weeks. He even brought her to work when it was urgent enough that he had to show up.”

“Geez,” I breathed. “They really have been through a lot.”

“That’s why I think it’s so great that Jenna has you in her life now,” Jennifer said. “A positive female influence is exactly what she’s been missing all this time.”

“I don’t know if Reed will agree with you,” I pointed out.

Jennifer shook her head and gave me a wink. “Like I said, give Reed some time. He’s scared, and when he’s scared, he tends to lash out. It’s a difficult thing to entrust a stranger with your child.”

“I understand that,” I said. “Of course I understand that. But… I love Jenna too.”

Jennifer regarded me carefully and then she nodded. “You really do love Jenna,” she said. “I can see that.”

I sighed and pushed back the tears that were threatening to spill over. “She’s going to be okay… isn’t she?”

“The doctor explained it all to us,” Jennifer reminded me. “She assured us that Jenna was going to make a full recovery.”

“She hasn’t woken up yet.”

“Her body needs to rest,” Jennifer said bracingly. “It’s been through a lot, and it needs some time to heal. When she’s ready, Jenna will wake up.”

I nodded. “If Reed doesn’t want me around anymore, I’ll understand,” I said. “But before I leave… I just want to see Jenna smile. That’s all.”

Jennifer looked at me sympathetically and nodded. “That’s what we all want,” she said.