Page 79 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

She’d gotten a call from her university’s financial aid office. Lexi had been awarded a last-minute scholarship that covered her tuition, room and board, books, and had a small stipend for incidentals. A scholarship Lexi didn’t remember applying for, but the financial aid officer assured her she had.

The week before Lexi and I had talked about her taking a break from school because we couldn't afford the next years tuition. It had killed me to admit I’d failed her.

“The scholarship,” I said in disbelief that we’d never connected it to Jess. “It was you, Lexi’s senior year.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jess scoffed, shrugging off my arms. She crawled away and began picking up the trash from our meal, tossing it into one of the empty bags.

I grabbed her hand, forcing her to put the bag down, and pulled her wrist to my lips. I kissed her wrist, then her palm, and next her fingers before drawing them up to my chest against my beating heart. “Thank you.”

She shrugged, still looking uncomfortable.

“What you did was life changing for us, Jess. Why does it embarrass you to be acknowledged for it?”

She tugged at her hand, which I refused to let go. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand.”

“I didn’t do anything to deserve this money,” she hissed at me. “I was a selfish, entitled brat for a long time before I even noticed there were people who had so much less than I did. The tuition, all that money, it was a drop in the bucket for me, Alden.”

Kneeling, I let go of her hand and reached for her hips to pull her to me. “That right there is why you’re better than your parents. You are nothing like them. You will never be like them.”

She was so afraid of being like those monsters she couldn’t see the amazing person she was right now.

Jess bit her lip, her gaze going to a new group of children playing with abandon on the little blue metal playset. One little girl popped her head through the star cut out, laughing at her friend. “I try really hard not to be.”

This was my Jess. The one that very few people in the world were lucky to see, never mind get to know.

I tilted her face up and pressed my lips to hers. It amazed me that this brilliant, sexy, courageous woman wanted to spend time with me.

We gathered our trash, the blanket, and headed back to the car. Once we got inside and I’d pulled out onto the main road heading out of the development, Jess reached for my hand.

“My grandmother was one of my favorite people in the whole world. I think it’s why my parents made sure I didn’t see much of her. I always knew when I was with her that she loved me unconditionally.” She rubbed her thumb against my hand, the small movement sending little sparks of desire up my arm. I loved having her hands on me.

I smiled at her, encouraging her to continue. “Nani was always a creative person and when she and my grandfather first married, she had been learning to create various textiles to sell. She wanted to start the company in the United States and have everything manufactured here. They often hired local artisans to design the patterns and chose the fabrics they’d work with.” She squeezed my hand. “That marketplace I’d gone to? It’s been around for years. Nani and I would go every chance we had to find new talent. She said I had an eye for it.” Jess’s voice trailed off as she stared out the window. She pulled off her sunglasses and massaged the bridge of her nose.

When she didn’t continue after a few minutes I squeezed her hand. “You okay?”

She leaned her head back and turned to look at me. “I always thought she wanted to give me an active role in the company.”

“She didn’t?” That didn’t sound right.

Jess shook her head, her nose wrinkled, and her eyes clouded with pain. “No, when she died, she left the majority of the company to my parents. She left me two percent of the company shares. It brings in money, but it doesn't allow me to make any real executive decisions for long term expansion or profit. I don’t get it. She knew my parents weren’t there because they loved the company.” Tears swam in her eyes. “Iloveour company.”

“I’m sorry, Jess.” How could her grandmother have done that to her? “Maybe there was a mix-up in her will.”

“I thought that too, but her estate planner and lawyers were adamant. This was what she left me.” She let out a soft, sad sigh that seemed to deflate not just her body, but her larger-than-life personality.

“But you made something of yourself. And you didn’t let that piece of paper stop you from being part of the company.” I reminded her. My sweet, strong, tough as nails girl. Nothing kept her down.

“No, I didn’t.” She sat up a little straighter. “I’m the one on the floor. I go to the factories, even the main office, and get to know our employees, not my parents. There is so much I hear from them that I’d love to improve on, but without the power, I can’t.”

“Do you think they’d let you get more involved?”

Jess rolled her eyes. “The company faced financial trouble two years ago. Instead of asking me to help, they hired Jareth a year ago. He’s got his own textile companies in addition to a million other things he owns. Seriously, I think the guy owns a sports team.”

“So the guy your parents want you to marry is rich, owns half the world, saved your grandparents’ business, and is a little bit good looking.” I hated to even acknowledge the last part, but even as a man, I could see his appeal. “Why did you fight it?”

Jess let out a little huff. “Besides my parents wanting it so bad, which is enough to make me not desire him in the least, he acts like it’s a good business decision. And I don’t want that. I’d rather not get married at all than be with someone who doesn’t love me. Besides, it’s not like I need his money or anything.”

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