Page 27 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“Talk to you later, Jess.”

Not recognizing the number, but hoping it was the sponsor I messaged earlier this morning, I picked up. “Jessamine Sulton.”

“Hello, Jessamine.” The smooth, familiar voice spoke from the other end, bringing to mind the six-foot, dark haired, polished man.

I held in my sigh. “Jareth.”

“Jessamine, I didn’t like the way we left things earlier today. We really need to talk.”

I rolled my eyes. “Jareth, listen. I don’t get why you think you should continue to pursue me, but you need to stop. The more you do it, the more you’re encouraging my parents.”

“Are you with someone else?”

“I, uh, what? No.” Well he was getting right to the point now, wasn’t he?

“Then I don’t see the problem here. We’re well suited. You’re smart, savvy, and knowledgeable about your grandparents’ business. We could run it together.”

“You’re forgetting three major things there, Jareth. One, I don’t love you, two, I barely know you, and three, I don’t have any controlling shares of the company. We wouldn’t be running anything.”

“May I call you Jess?” he asked.

“I guess.” Why not at this point? We’d been discussing marriage, even if the conversation was ridiculous.

“You won’t even give me a chance. And honestly, who needs love? We’re already off to a better start by not falsely promising that to each other. I think we could work something out with your parents so that you could have a larger share in the company.”

My voice dropped an octave, and I softened my tone in a concerted effort to let him down gently. “Jareth, I want what my grandparents had. They loved each other to pieces. Maybe someday I’ll find that too.” With someone other than Alden. Never mind that I doubted my parents would agree to letting me run the company.

Love hadn’t been on the table for me in years. After walking away from Alden, I wondered if I’d ever have it again, or if it even existed for me, but to effectively give up on it and put myself into a cold, sterile, loveless marriage on purpose, like my parents did... I just couldn’t do it.

“At least give it some consideration.”

“I... I just can’t, Jareth.” I hated that he dangled the only carrot that would make me reconsider. The worst part is that the whole situation was hypothetical. “I know you think this is what you want, but I can’t be a part of it.”

“You will change your mind.” He sounded so sure of it.

“No, Jareth, I won’t.” I ended the call before he could get another chance to convince me a loveless marriage was best.

I ran my hand along Reina’s back, making her tail curl, hoping her sweet calmness would rub off on me. What if I never found someone to love? Would I regret saying no to Jareth? Because what if my parents, who loved Jareth more than me, decided to let him run the company with me by his side? Being a major part of what my grandparents had worked so hard for was my deepest wish.

***

AKNOCK SOUNDED ATmy door as I was wrapping up my conversation with Sean Weber, a representative from Tesoro Mio Couture. I put him on mute.

“Come in.”

Alden stepped into my room.

I held up my finger to let him know I’d only be a minute and unmuted my phone.

“Yes, of course I would love to wear one of your newest gowns during the event next week. I’m honored you chose me.”

“The swimwear you posted yesterday is trending already, Ms. Sulton. We love the one you chose. And our plus size demographics love you. We’ve already sold out in that particular style.”

“I’m happy to help. You know how much I love your company and what you stand for.” Tesoro Mio Couture supported various shelters for women and children escaping abusive situations.

“The event is a combination of featuring our newest line and gathering donations. We’re delighted you promised to attend.”

Inwardly, I cringed at keeping my phone on speaker. Alden was not going to be happy that I committed us to an event. Even without turning to face him, his narrowed gaze was like a laser beam being shot in between my shoulder blades.

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