Page 105 of Love In The Spotlight

West and Abby, Braylon and Lily and Nelson would be in attendance too.

There were other companies being honored also in New Jersey for this. It was nice to not have the hustle and bustle of parking and moving around Manhattan.

“As long as I get to unzip you later tonight,” he said.

“You will,” she said, smirking.

She slipped her shoes on and did one more glance in the mirror of Jamie’s massive walk-in closet. It was more like a dressing room. She found it funny he had a better setup than her, but he was the one that was on TV all the time so she had to imagine he wanted to see how he looked before he left in his clothing.

He nudged her out of the way and stood in front of the mirror with lights and made sure his tie was just right.

She slid next to him and adjusted it some more even though he didn’t need it. It just felt like the thing to do. Something she remembered her mother doing for her father a time or two.

Funny how it just popped into her head.

“Do I pass inspection for you now?”

“You do,” she said. “Though I see you in suits all the time. A tux is a step up.”

West would be wearing one too. Not that either had a bow tie on, but she knew that West was always dressed to show his success. She knew that Jamie would want to do the same.

This was just more publicity for Penelope Plush Soap. Which was killing it out of the gate. Even she couldn’t believe how well the business was doing.

“Meaning you want to get me out of this tux later?” he asked.

“I want to get you out of your clothing all the time. Along with most of the women out there that see you.”

“But you’re the only one doing it,” he said. “You trust me, right?”

“Absolutely,” she said. “I never didn’t trust you. Why did you ask that?”

He shrugged. “Just wanted to make sure. I know my reputation and all.”

“That was you being a lost boy then somewhat of a lost man. You’re not anymore. You’ve found yourself.”

“I have,” he said. “I think I finally feel as if I’m enough as I am.”

She moved closer and put her arms up to hug him. “I’m glad you feel that way. I know you’re hurt your father hasn’t called you, but your mother did.”

He sighed. She knew he didn’t want to talk about this, but maybe they should a bit.

“She said the talk went well,” he said. “I get it.”

“It’s a step. You can’t get to your second step without the first. Maybe it’s possible that it’s hard for your father to swallow his pride. You spoke your mind. Your mother passed it on. Your mother is reaching out more. She’s asking about Penelope. You said things with her are different.”

“They are,” he said. “Nothing like you’ve got with your mother, but it’s better than it was.”

“Then take it for what it is,” she said. She looked at her slim gold watch. “We should get a move on.”

They walked out of his room and Penelope came rushing over in her pajamas. “Night, Daddy.”

He picked his freshly bathed daughter up and kissed her. “Night, baby girl. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”

“Love you too,” Penelope said.

Anyone who saw this interaction wouldn’t think of Jamie the playboy. That reputation was long gone.

They’d see the loving father and melt all over the place.

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