Page 159 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“You know me, partner. When the opportunity arises, Ialwaysdress to impress.”

“I heard Bailey’s news.”

I huff exaggeratedly. “Bee said I was the first to know. She never mentioned she told you too.”

She laughs. “Delaney told me. He was crying like a baby down the phone. I could barely make out what he was saying at first. Congratulations, by the way.”

“Why, thank you. Are you in Manhattan now?”

“I am.”

“You’ll keep me posted on what happens with Leo?”

“I will. Anyway, I should go.”

“Why the rush?”

“Because the O’Connells are about to make their grand entrance.”

“And you know that how?”

“That would be telling.”

“Sounds ominous.”

“Let me know how the evening goes. Three words, Jessie. You. Got. This.”

* * *

I know it sounds twee,but everyone in the room fades into the background when Dylan’s eyes connect with mine. For the briefest of seconds, time stands still, and we’re the only two people in here. The only sound is my heart and his beating in that matching rhythm they find whenever they’re in close proximity.

Fast. Furious. Erratic. Synchronized.

He’s not wearing a tuxedo like everyone else. Instead, he’s wearing a tailored black suit with a white shirt and a tie the same shade of blue as his sapphire eyes.

I could weep at the unfairness of it all. But I won’t. Because I can’t. At least not yet. I guess it’s something to look forward to later when I’m back home and on my own.

Perfectly lonely.

He smiles at me, and my heart skips a beat. I feel like a teenage girl all over again, being noticed by the boy she has a crush on.

But my crush doesn’t matter. My love doesn’t matter. None of it matters. Because Fate was in a pissy mood when he decided our future. Or at least when he decided mine.

Still, I’ll survive.

The gregarious Jessie will remain chipper until she’s out of sight and mind. Then she’ll go home and transform into the quiet and contained Jessie she wears like a comfy old pair of slippers and have a good old cry.

“Thank you for coming, Jessie.”

The interruption has me dragging my gaze from his. I turn my head to see Grace Ryan standing beside me.

“Grace.”

Her long blonde hair is in an updo, and her glasses are gone. She looks beautiful in an understated kind of way wearing an elegant long black dress.

I stand to greet her. In fairness, after the ‘good riddance’ remark, she never said anything untoward to me. In fact, she never said much of anything at all. Maybe she’s not so bad.

“Congratulations.” I hug her, and she smiles.

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