Page 29 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

Keeping it businesslike between us was for the best.

Teasing him, getting a rise out of him, while fun, might not have been the best way to keep a divide between us. It still involved an emotion. While business, like this, could be emotionless. It would help remind me that we were nothing to each other. Not even friends.

Maybe if I told myself that enough, I’d believe it by the time he was gone.

In the end he was going to leave just like he did nine years ago. Except this time I knew it was coming and if I let my heart get involved, even if it was one-sided, then it was all my fault.

Chapter Seven

Alden

The doorbell rang.I checked the video monitors we’d had installed over the last week since the chocolates had been delivered. Every muscle in my body tightened as each day something new came for Jess.

These gifts had my senses on high alert. Each one had some type of special meaning. Like the star that was purchased and named after Jess that just happened to be located within her favorite constellation, Boötes. She’d revealed as a child she liked it because she thought it looked like a kite.

Or the rare Anna Sui Fleur de Lis duffle bag from 2012 that Jess had been trying to get her hands on for the last year that showed up in pristine condition, notating it was the seventh made and didn’t look like it had ever been used. Whoever this was knew Jess, and I didn’t like that they had insider information and unlimited money to spend.

“Looks like it might be Jess’s dress for tonight.” I let Gage know. Her ball gown had arrived a few days earlier and needed minor alterations. She’d sent it back with notes and if it was the dress, then it had arrived just in time.

The ringing of the bell peeled again just as my phone beeped with a text from Jess.

Jess: Will someone get the damn door? Clara is doing my makeup and I don’t need her distracted.

Gage was working on gaining access to the venue’s camera system, so he had eyes on Jess at the event I was to attend with her. That left me to answer the door.

I propped open the door, making sure to look behind the delivery guy. The street, even though it was quite a distance from the house, was empty except for the neighbors’ cars. He was a stocky individual and gazed up at me with a bored expression as he thrust the electronic clipboard into my hand to sign for the boxes. As I scribbled my name he heaved a sigh, making me think he wanted to be on his way. I watched him, aware that even the most laid-back demeanor could be fabricated.

Once he was on his way, I carefully inspected each box before prying the lids open, to make sure they were safe for Jess. The first, the largest of the three boxes, contained the dress, the second a necklace and earrings, and the third a pair of shoes.

Samantha, the hairstylist, came running downstairs to get the boxes from me. Giving me a wide smile she asked, “All set?”

“One minute.” I pulled out my phone as I set the boxes down on the floor beside me.

Samantha frowned.

I could only guess it was due to my poor treatment of the boxes. Not that I cared.

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