Page 70 of Bonus Daddy
It took more willpower than I’d like to admit to fight the urge. With a sigh, I turned back to the stage, trying to ignore the persistent tug in my chest.
I was still battling with myself when Jess, as if reading my mind, clutched my hand and smiled up at me.
Time stopped as we looked at one another, the music, lights, and crowd fading into the background.
It was dark, but there was no hiding the emotion in her eyes. It was palpable, a deepening connection that neither of us could fully embrace yet.
Heart racing, I turned back to the stage, focusing on the feel of her palm in mine. This was more than I could have hoped for. When tomorrow came, I’d have to take a step back, erect those boundaries again. But for tonight, I’d hold on and enjoy every moment.
This was meant to be. It was right. Thank fuck my friends had pushed me to do this.
Nothing could happen. That was still true. But if this moment was anything to go by, at least Jess got it now.
She understood she was special to me. That I’d do anything for her and her kids.
The only downside? I’d have to admit to Lo and Sloane that they were right. That a gesture could speak volumes, even while I was still prohibited from telling her how much she meant with words.
God, they’d be insufferable.
But this sensation, the strange combination of excitement and comfort as we held hands, made it all worth it.
During intermission, while I was at the bar area inside the box, fetching waters for the kids, a hand landed on my shoulder with enough force to make me fumble the bottles I was holding. I managed to hold on to them all as I turned and found Beckett Langfield watching me.
“Thank you,” I said, emotions still rushing through me.This man was a billionaire, one of the firm’s most valuable clients, and a sort-of friend. He owed me nothing, yet he’d helped me get here, to the top of the world.
He eyed Jess and the girls, who hadn’t left their spots, and raised his whiskey glass to me. “Happy to be of service. Don’t duck it up.”
With that, he strolled over to his wife and two of their daughters.
Once I’d handed out waters, I focused on breathing, working to center myself.
“Brian.” Kit rushed toward me and threw her arms around my waist. When she looked up, her eyes were wet and her small face was stained with tears and rainbow glitter. “This is the best day of my life,” she sobbed. “Thank you.”
Before I could react, Greta and Jess were joining her. All three of them squeezed me as they bounced up and down. “You’re the best, Brian,” Greta said, her voice muffled.
I held them as tightly as I could, savoring the moment.
Across the room, Beckett caught my eye and raised his glass.
Shit, he was right. I could not duck this up.
Chapter 25
Jess
“I’ve missed Boston.” I twirled in a circle, my face tipped toward the sky. It wasn’t as busy as New York, and there wasn’t the same urgency, but the city had always had a place in my heart. The history and the architecture were enough to make anyone stop and take in the sights. Being here made me feel like the main character in the story instead of one of the teeming masses the way New York did.
The air was crisper too. Though it was June, the cool breeze was enough to keep me on my toes.
“Think the girls are okay?” Brian asked. “We can head back.”
I scoffed. “They were more than happy to see us go.”
When we’d left, the whole crew was busy making friendship bracelets and s’mores while talking endlessly about last night’s concert.
Dylan had arranged for a massive camp-out movie night in the penthouse, tents and sleeping bags and all, and the hotel staff had gone all out, providing snacks and lanterns. She’d mentioned her husband Cortney’s family owned the hotel chain, so it made sense that they’d let her do whatever she wanted. If the last day hadn’t been so strangely surreal, I’d have questioned it. Right now, I was floating along in a fairy tale, so it didn’t seem so far-fetched.
The girls insisted that they’d prefer to stay at the camp-out overnight—again—so I’d have my very luxurious hotel suite to myself. I should be thrilled to have a night off after having gone without one for so long, yet I had no idea what to do with myself.
