Page 41 of Billionaire In Vegas

He was in a serious conversation with Theodora about something. She was animated as she spoke to him and laughed at something he said before spotting me. She smiled in my direction and Jude turned towards me.

“You look beautiful,” were his first words to me as he stood slowly and I finally got a good look at him. He was wearing a tuxedo that made him look powerful and untouchable. I gulped hard. This man was so out of my league. What was I thinking?

But apparently, he thought otherwise as he quickly moved towards me and took me by my hand. His brown eyes examined me from head to toe. And he twirled me in a circle, making me giggle. He made me feel young, beautiful, and carefree. I loved that feeling when I was around him. It was like I had the old Jude back tonight. I smiled in relief.

He let out a low whistle and I heard Theodora giggle.

I blushed, saying, “Well, I think we should head on out.”

“See you later, Lacey,” Theodora called out.

“Have fun, Lacey!” Emmaline called and then she winked at me and made a face that made me blush.

I was surprised to see the limousine waiting for us out front. He took my hand in the limo and said once again how beautiful I looked. I expected him to kiss me, but to my surprise, he didn’t even try.

I felt dejected, but told myself to not think too much of it. To my surprise, he held my hand the entire time, staring out the window and not saying anything.

The silence became maddening and I felt the need to say something, anything. “Are you not going to talk to me the entire night?”

He looked at me sharply, as if taken aback by my blunt words. He smiled at me, but his eyes were guarded. He touched my face gently.

“I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. This ball always makes me a little nostalgic.”

I instantly felt bad for making this night all about me. Of course he was sad. This whole evening probably reminded him of his mother.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I just wish—” he laughed humorlessly. “Never mind.”

“No,” I urged him. “Tell me. What is it that you wish?”

“Another time,” he said as the car pulled up. “We’re here.”

He got out first and extended me his hand. As he helped me out of the car, cameras flashed in all directions and I wasn’t prepared for them. I instantly attempted to hide my face, grabbing Jude’s hand and practically forcing him along.

He laughed and said, “How do you walk so quickly in those heels?”

“Years of being a girl come in handy.”

We climbed the stairs that led to the stately library and entered a small room that bore Ophelia’s name.

The room was lined with books and I realized the room led to an even bigger hall. Oliver warmly greeted us, but then he was swept away by a group of distinguished-looking men around his age.

When he was gone, Jude looked around and said softly, “This was my mother’s favorite room. She spent so much time here that I had them dedicate it to her after she passed.” He gestured towards a small table. “I would sit across from her scribbling my letters. Drawing pictures.”

I could easily imagine him as a little boy. And his mind seemed to be recalling the image as well as he stared at the desk, before reluctantly looking away. “Enough about me. Let me introduce you to some of mom’s friends.”

We spent the rest of the night hearing stories about his mom from nearly everyone who greeted us. She was much loved and missed, that was certainly clear. Despite everyone being very welcoming and nice, I was feeling overwhelmed. The photographers, the people, the opulence of it all, mixed with my unclear feelings toward Jude, was starting to wear on me and I could feel tension forming in my shoulders.

I excused myself and found my way to a balcony. I was enjoying the air, wondering what to do next. How could I start a conversation with Jude about how I felt? I needn’t have worried because I was so occupied with my own thoughts that I didn’t hear him when he joined me on the balcony.

He placed a hand on my lower back and said softly, “Mind if I join you?”

“I wish you could have met her. She would have liked you.” He said without waiting for me to answer his earlier question.

I smiled. “Do you like me?”

“I more than like you, Mrs. Foster, but I’m sure you already know that.”