Page 244 of Billionaire Temptations

“Alex passed the bar. He is now a full-fledged licensed attorney!”

“Ah, that’s wonderful, Katie.” I hugged her.

“We’re going out tonight to celebrate, and we want you and Jackson to come.”

“I’d love to. As for Jackson, I don’t know. I’ll have to call and ask him.”

Picking up my phone, I dialed his number.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hi there. Katie and Alex are going out tonight to celebrate because Alex passed his bar exam. Do you want to go?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. I have a meeting tonight at seven with a client who’s interested in some property.”

“Oh, okay. I just thought I’d ask.”

“If I were available, I would go. But you have fun tonight.”

“Thanks, Jackson. Good luck with your meeting.”

“Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon.”

After ending the call, I set down my phone, and a feeling I couldn’t quite describe washed over me.

“Are you okay?” Katie asked.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Jackson has a meeting tonight, so he can’t make it.”

“Too bad. But we’ll have so much fun.”

“Yeah.” I gave her a small smile.

Disappointment hit me like a ton of bricks. Out of nowhere, and BAM! I shook it off the best I could, trying to understand why I felt like this.

“Excuse me,” the woman from Seattle spoke. “May I try these on?”

“Of course.”

Grabbing the keys, I unlocked one of the fitting rooms.

“If you need a different size, let me know.” I smiled as I walked away.

I could feel her husband’s eyes staring at me as I headed back to the counter.

“Excuse me, miss?” He approached.

“Yes?” I nervously responded.

“I know this may sound strange, but do you know a woman named Karen Wade?”

My heart fell to the pit of my stomach.

“She was my mother,” I replied.

“Was?”

“She passed away two years ago.”

---