Page 9 of A Moment Of Forever

“Yeah, that was a good try, but you don’t need it. As successful as you are, I don’t see you getting married for financial reasons.”

“Then why would I be considering jumping the broom with someone I barely know?”

“Because deep down, you do want that fairytale. I mean,” Drea shrugged. “What would it take for you to break ties with this man if it turns out to be the worst decision you ever made?”

Drea’s question was rhetorical, and to prove it, she moved along and answered her own question while tapping her chin.

“A prenup agreement would be put in place, so that he couldn’t take you to the bank, and divorce is only about, what, five-hundred dollars these days at the nearest downtown law office?”

Vanessa nodded as she listened.

“However, should Mr. Davenport be the best thing to happen in your life, how grand, fairytale-ish, and spontaneous would that be?”

With eyes wide, Drea went on.

“Imagine telling your children and your children’s children how you and papa met.” Drea began to pace around Vanessa in circles; her hands lifted mid-air as she delved deeper into her fantasy.

“They would gather around the fireplace on Christmas, while you told them the story of your true love. Or perhaps you’d make the story about how a princess met her prince, or a queen met her king, or—”

“I think I got the picture.”

Drea zipped her lips, and a smile warmed her face.

“You’re really into this fairytale yourself, Drea. Ms. Lady, you’ve got the romantic bug bad. Are you single?”

Drea folded her arms. “I am.”

Vanessa peered at her, noticing the shuffling of her eyes.

“You don’t seem too sure. Now, who’s not being forthright.”

Drea sighed. “Ugh. I am. Trust me, I am. But there is a guy that I wish would get it together.”

Vanessa tsked. “If you have to wait for a man to get his shit together, forget about it.”

“I don’t mean like that. He doesn’t seem to know that I want him and hasn’t shown any signs that he wants me, but I wish he would wake up and smell the roses. The love of his life is standing right in his face, and he doesn’t know it.”

Drea shook her head. “Shame.”

“Anybody I know?”

Drea’s lips curved into a smile. “Shawn Blakely.”

Vanessa’s mouth spread into an audacious smile.

“Our Shawn Blakely, the investment banker that works at our institution?”

“If there are two of him, stick a fork in me—I’m done.”

They laughed, and Vanessa thought about Shawn. With smooth cocoa skin, a mustache that trimmed into a light goatee, dark brown eyes, and a cock-strong physique, Vanessa could understand why Shawn had drawn Drea’s eye.

When Vanessa first interviewed him for the position, she’d also taken notice of his handsome features, but much like most men these days, she’d written him off as probably being a dog as well.

“What is your relationship like with Shawn?”

“Er…” Drea scratched her chin with a finger. “We’re friendly, I suppose.”

“What does that mean?”

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