Page 77 of Boss of Her

She read Simone’s words again. A request, not a command. But Jade longed to obey all the same. She longed to see Simone again.

She longed to believe that things could be made right between them.

She closed her eyes. There was no going back to the way things were. No erasing everything that had happened.

But if there was the slightest chance the rift between them could be mended? The slightest sliver of hope?

Jade had to take it.

She shut her laptop, got up from her bed, and started getting ready.

Jade arrived at The Ashton Star ten minutes after the press conference had been due to start. She’d left her studio with plenty of time to spare, but a traffic jam meant the drive had taken twice as long as it usually did.

She slipped into the lobby, where the press conference was taking place. It had already begun, but no one noticed her late arrival. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the landing of the grand staircase at the center of the room, where Simone stood delivering a speech.

Jade’s heart caught in her throat. It was the first time she’d laid eyes on Simone in almost a month. And just a glimpse of her stirred something inside Jade, that same something she’d felt the first time their eyes met at Club Velvet.

She tried to listen to Simone’s words, but from her place near the door, she couldn’t hear a thing. She made her way forward, edging around the crowd of journalists and photographers until she found a spot to the side. It wasn’t the best angle, but there were fewer heads to peer around, and she was close enough to hear Simone clearly.

“Renovations will begin next week,” Simone continued as she looked out over the crowd. “And when the hotel reopens in a year’s time, it will be transformed into something new, something that embodies the spirit of—”

She stopped short. Because at that moment, her gaze fell upon Jade.

Jade’s breath stopped in her chest. For a moment, Simone didn’t move, didn’t speak. Murmurs broke out in the watching crowd, puzzled glances exchanged.

And when Simone spoke, her eyes didn’t leave Jade’s.

“When the hotel reopens,” Simone said. “It will be a beacon of light in our magnificent city, a shining star that represents the dream Los Angeles stands for. That’s why the hotel will reopen as The Jade Star.”

Jade blinked.The Jade Star?

“Someone very special to me helped bring the dream of The Jade Star to life,” Simone said. “And this is for her.”

Jade’s heart began to pound. But as Simone descended the stairs, her heart stopped completely.

She’s coming over here.

The crowd parted before Simone as she strode confidently toward Jade. Cameras flashed, whispers rising around her. But as soon as Simone reached her, they fell silent. All eyes were on the two of them.

“Jade,” she said softly. “My brilliant, shining star. My precious jewel. My love. This hotel is dedicated to you.”

Jade’s stomach fluttered. “Are you saying you… you love me?”

“Yes, Jade. I love you with all my heart. And I want you to be mine.”

And just like in so many other moments Jade had shared with her, every thought, every doubt, every worry left her mind. Her body took over. Herhearttook over.

And her arms were around Simone’s neck, pulling her into a deep, tender kiss.

Cameras snapped around them, someone in the crowd nearby letting out a whistle. But Jade barely noticed. The rest of the world had faded away. There was only Simone. The touch of her lips. The press of her body, unwavering, unyielding. The scent of her, as familiar and reassuring as home. Everything she ever wanted—needed—was right here in her arms.

Simone broke the kiss and turned to address the crowd. “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m cutting this press conferenceshort. I won’t be taking any questions today. You can direct your queries to my assistant. Thank you for coming out.”

The crowd dispersed around them, a handful of people saying goodbye to Simone with knowing nods and smiles. And when Ashton approached and offered them her congratulations, Jade couldn’t help but blush.

“Was she in on this?” Jade asked once Ashton was gone. “Changing the name of the hotel? She was pretty insistent on you calling it The Star. It was even in the contract.”

“That’s why I had her amend the contract,” Simone said. “She refused at first, but then I told her why. Like I once told you, humans are driven by our emotions, first and foremost. Appealing to Ashton’s romantic side was all it took.”

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