Page 8 of Twenty Years Later

After setting my wine glass down on the bar, I headed for the elevators. Just as I pushed the button, I heard a shout behind me.

"Jayda! Wait!"

Whirling around, I saw Alex running toward me, taking my breath away in his black suit and black shirt, open at the collar. He was here! I didn't budge, though, deciding in an instant to let him come to me.

He rushed up, out of breath. "I'm so sorry. You must have thought I was standing you up."

All I could do was nod as he stared into my eyes, and I tried to squash the rush of tears before he could see them.

"I'm so sorry. Gabby spit up all over my shoes, then had a huge meltdown right as I was trying to leave." His eyes were creased with concern. "And I didn't even have your phone number to let you know I'd be late. Please forgive me."

I let out a big exhale. "Of course. We should have exchanged numbers. But yes, of course, I forgive you."

"Oh, thank God." He sighed. "Thank you for waiting. Although it looked like you had just given up." He nodded toward the elevator door as it opened.

"Yep, you were close, buddy." Smiling, I pressed my thumb and forefinger together. "This close."

He grinned back, making those ever-present butterflies wiggle around. "Looks like I was just in time. And thank God for that because I'm finally about to take the great Jayda Jenkins out on a date. And I can promise you, it'll be a night you'll never forget."

Those butterflies went crazy. What on earth did that mean exactly? I had no idea what to say.

He looked at me,reallylooked at me, taking in my new little black dress and heels. "Damn, you look good."

"Thank you," I managed to say.

When his eyes returned to my face, there was heat in that gaze, and I felt singed just looking at him. Oh, my. This man had a lifetime of practice at being a player, making me wonder if I might be his latest victim.

We headed out into the night, Alex guiding me with a gentle hand on my back that seemed to burn right through me. He pointed at a sleek black car. "That's me."

I thanked the valet who held the passenger door open for me as I tried to slide in with some kind of modesty wearing this dress. Definitely not something I was used to anymore, considering I practically lived in yoga pants and hoodies.

"Nice car," I said while buckling up. "I remember you used to like fast cars. Looks like some things never change."

He grinned at me as he drove off. "Yep, still like a fast car. How do you even remember that?"

"Well, it's a little fuzzy because I may have had a drink or two. But I remember being in the back of my friend David's car one night in high school. I think it was him. Anyway, at a stoplight, we pulled up next to you and some friends. And when the light changed, you guys both just took off and raced. It was beyond thrilling... and terrifying to go that fast. But of course, you won."

He laughed. "Me? I'm not sure about that."

"Yeah, and another time—"

"There's another story?"

"Sure is. This one involving my dad."

"What?" His smile turned into a frown. "Oh, no."

"Oh, yes." I gave him my best mom face. "So my dad was driving me to school one day, for some reason, and I remember being late and annoyed that he wouldn't go faster. And then, zoom, there you go, speeding by us on the left—"

"Crap."

"In a no-passing zone."

We both laughed. "That sounds like something I'd do as a teenager. I was such an asshole."

"That's pretty much what my dad said."

He cringed. "Whoops."

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