Page 23 of Saddles & Suits

There. That doesn’t say anything about when my sister will give it to him or where that will be. He could think that Tamara plans to ask me to pass it along. But hopeful?—

Ding.

I open the message.

Jack:

Thanks for the heads-up! Would have been awkward if I showed up with just a family present and she had something for me.

I guess we’re spending Christmas with each other’s families.

The smile that takes over my face is completely unexpected.

ChapterThirteen

Jack

I fumblemy left cuff link for the third time while Seb watches with amusement. This happens every year—since Uncle Warwick retired and handed his foundation over to me, I’ve always gotten stupidly nervous right before the annual charity ball. I can run the foundation with my hands tied behind my back, no worries, but the ball makes me fall to pieces.

“Do you want some help with that?” he finally asks, and I extend my wrist to him in desperation.

“God, yes. I’m sorry—I’m going to be a mess tonight.”

He smiles, but his gaze is fixed on the cuff link as he awkwardly slots it into place. “I know. Sarah warned me. She also said that you’d be amazing at squeezing every last cent out of all the guests, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

The matter-of-fact way he says it, like he’s got no doubt that it’s true, makes me feel like a superhero, and I turn my hand and catch hold of his, pulling him to me for a kiss. “I love you,” I whisper. This isn’t the romantic scenario I had planned for when I said those words for the first time, but I can’t hold them in.

Seb’s eyes widen, but then his whole face relaxes into the same soft look he gives me when we’re cuddling. “I love you too,” he says. “And not just because you look hot in a tux.”

The shocking relief that swamps me forces an explosive laugh from me. “Sorry. I just…”

“Jack.” Seb leans up and kisses me again. “It’s okay. I love you, I’m gonna be right by your side tonight, and everything’s going to be fine. You and me, that’s locked in.” Surprise briefly shadows his face, and then it’s replaced by a bright smile. “I knew I was committed to us, but I didn’t realize how much. You’re never getting rid of me.”

My nerves drop away like they never existed. “I can’t think of anything better than that. Now, let’s go schmooze people into giving us their money.”

“As usual,the night is a roaring success,” Sarah says casually a few hours later. “The only difference is that your smile is real this year, not just a cover for your breakdown.”

I snort, glancing around to see who I haven’t spoken to yet. “I don’t need to have a breakdown when the most incredible man in the world loves me.”

Her gasp draws the attention of a few people around us, but they look away when they realize it’s not the beginning of a juicy scene. “Did he—? Did you?—?”

I grin at her, and her delighted laugh fills the air around us. “Yes! I knew from the beginning that you’d be perfect for each other.”

“Did you?” I ask wryly. “Even when I thought he was seventy?”

“Okay, maybe not then,” she concedes. “But right after you got back that first weekend.” She looks across the room to where Seb is talking to a man who owns a boutique hotel company. They’re in animated discussion, both nodding and gesturing. “He’s making a great impression tonight. A few people have asked me about him, and a lot more have promised fat donations after talking to him.”

“I’m not surprised.” He stuck by my side for the first half hour, and then we got separated when the group we were talking to organically broke into two smaller groups. Since then, we’ve only spoken in passing, but seeing how well he fits into this part of my life—the schmoozing fundraiser part of running a foundation—warms my heart. Uncle Warwick was devoted to the work we do, and I shouldn’t be surprised that his protégé is equally willing to step up.

“You need to give your speech soon, before the entertainment begins,” she reminds me, and I nod.

“Ten minutes. Warn the band, would you, please?”

“On it.” She makes a beeline for the small stage where the band, who’s been playing background music for the first part of the evening, is set up. Once I’ve given my speech, they’ll pack up and our headliner will arrive for her ninety-minute performance. Then we’ll wrap things up for the night.

But first, I’m going to steal a moment with my boyfriend.

Fortunately, it sounds like the conversation is wrapping up as I reach them, and Seb smiles over at me. “Here he is. I was just telling Peter that one of your projects for next year is to set up a base in New Zealand for faster response times to the Pacific Islands.”

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