Page 8 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“Did you say something, Ms. Sulton?” My attendant asked.

“No, thank you. I’m good.” I needed to stop talking out loud to Reina or the girl was going to think I was nuts.

Reina’s rumbly kitty purr soothed me. “Okay baby, you need to relax while mommy gets ready.” I put her down. “And then we’re off on an adventure.” I put my finger to my lips.

I quickly changed out of my swimsuit and into a beautiful shimmery green crop top, and matching sarong style skirt I received last week from one of my sponsors. It was a new company, and I was intrigued with their designs. I never let my plus size dictate what I could or should wear and I refused to wear a sack because others thought my body was too big.

A tiny gasp had me turning around. “Ms. Sulton. That outfit is just, wow.”

“Thank you.”

She looked down at her own curvy body. “I don’t think I’d ever be able to wear something like that as well as you.”

I grabbed a nearby piece of paper and wrote down a name and number. “Call them and tell them I sent you. I’ll have a few outfits waiting.”

Her mouth dropped open and I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me. “Just because girls like us are over a size eighteen doesn’t mean we can’t feel beautiful too.”

It took a conversation with Lily last month for me to decide I needed to curate my sponsorships to include plus size fashion. To specifically focus on the ‘all bodies are beautiful’ message. Not because I didn’t believe it, but because I hadn’t focused my brand on that aspect in so long that I wondered how my followers would react.

“Ms. Sulton. Thank you.” Her face had a permanent grin, and gratitude shined from her eyes.

“You’re welcome.” I made a mental note to reach out to my contact today. There were a few outfits I already had in mind.

“Did you see the most beautiful flowers arrived for you?” She pointed to a vase filled with white Arabian jasmine, my favorite flowers that were not locally grown. While I never made it a secret they were my favorite, there was only one man who knew why.

“Did the company say who sent them?” I lightly caressed the white petals, letting the sweet fragrance fill the air.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. There wasn’t a card. I assumed you might have known who they were from.”

My hand instinctively reached up to rub the charm hanging off the necklace I wore daily. Alden had bought it for me after our first few dates. It was a small, tiny jasmine flower, a reminder of how we first met.

Had he sent these to me? My breath caught in my chest. Things had been different between us the last few weeks. Was he trying to show me he wanted to give us another chance?

Did I want a second chance with him? My fast-beating heart screamed yes, while my mind cautioned me to slow down.

“Do you mind keeping these in fresh water for me throughout the week? I’d like to enjoy them when I come back. And there’s one other thing I could really use your help with.”

“Anything, ma’am.” Her eager nod had me feeling a little bad about asking her to distract Gage.

If my plan worked, I’d only be gone a short while, barely time to notice.

I slipped out of my suite when she pushed her cart in front of Gage and it tipped over.

I pulled a scarf up over my head and wrapped the ends around my neck. The moment his back was turned, I put on my large sunglasses and snuck out the door.

Reina lay in my purse napping. I hoped she stayed that way until I was off this floor. Gage would only be distracted for a short time. I forced my feet to run faster. My breath came out in fast puffs by the time I rushed into the stairwell at the end of the hall. I forced myself to slow down as I pushed the handle and carefully closed it behind me.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I shoved away the twinge of guilt that I tricked him.

My feet echoed on each step as I darted down to the next floor. I peered out before pushing the door open and making my way to the nearby elevator. There was no way I was taking the stairs all the way down. Not in these wedge heels.

I peeked into my purse, making sure Reina was safe from all that jostling. She blinked sleepy eyes at me and meowed.

“Hello sweet baby.” I puckered my lips and blew her a kiss. While I waited to reach the bottom floor, I took in one deep breath after the other in an attempt to calm my pounding heart and erratic breathing.

This was like some covert mission I was not fucking prepared for. I stepped out of the elevator and glanced behind me, sure that at any moment Gage would come bounding out of the next elevator or down the stairs.

I increased my pace, a feeling of euphoria sweeping through me. I was going to make it out of here undetected. This was all working perfectly. I let out a startled squeak as my right foot slid out from under me.

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