Her eyes shot daggers at me and I knew right then and there that Lorelei told her everything. She looked at Hope, who was staring up at her, and then she looked back at me.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Sutton. Lorelei has told me a lot about you,” she spoke deadpan.
“I bet she has.” I set the papers on Lorelei’s desk. “I need you to look these over and make the corrections.”
“Sure thing.”
I walked back into my office and by the time I reached my desk, Hope had followed me in.
“I like your office, Mr. Sutton. It’s so big.”
I sighed. “Thank you, Hope.”
“Hope, leave Mr. Sutton alone. Sorry, Jack. I’m heading to lunch now,” Lorelei spoke.
“No need to apologize. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Can Mr. Sutton come with us?” Hope asked as she took hold of Lorelei’s hand.
“No, Hope.”
“Why?” She looked up at her.
“Thank you for the offer, but I have a meeting to attend. Maybe another time, Hope.”
“Okay.”
Before walking out of my office, Hope turned her head and looked at me over her shoulder. “It was nice to see you again.” She smiled as she gave me a small wave.
“It was nice to see you too.” I leaned back in my chair and watched them leave.
She was the spitting image of Lorelei and she even had the same smile as she did. Even though I was still hurt by Lorelei for not telling me she had a daughter, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Especially at night.
“Who was that little girl with Lorelei?” Coco asked as she walked into my office.
“That would be Hope, Lorelei’s daughter.”
“Excuse me?” She sat down across from my desk.
“Her daughter.”
“I didn’t know she had a daughter.”
“I didn’t either until a few days ago,” I spoke.
She narrowed her eye at me as she chewed on her bottom lip. “What’s wrong? I can tell something’s bothering you.”
“Nothing,” I replied.
“Shit, Jack.” She shook her head. “You slept with her.”
I looked down, picked up a paperclip from my desk, and began playing with it.
“Yep. I did. I made a horrible mistake.”
Coco arched her brow. “You’ve never said you made a mistake sleeping with a woman.” She paused for a moment when I looked up at her. “Oh no, Jack. You have feelings for her, don’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter if I do. I can’t get involved with her.”
“Why? Because she has a child?”
“Yes, Coco.”
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“Because children ruin relationships. You of all people should know that.”
“Huh?” she asked in confusion. “Is that the reason you aren’t fond of children?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
Coco’s phone rang. “I have to go and take this call. We’ll talk about this again. But if you want my honest opinion, I think Lorelei is exactly what you need, regardless if she has a kid or not. I’ll see you tonight at the launch party.”
I picked up my phone and sent a text message to Isla.
“I will pick you up tonight at six thirty.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting for you, Jack. I bought the most spectacular Valentino dress. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
As I set my phone down, Lorelei walked in with my coffee.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she started to walk away, I spoke, “How was your lunch?”
“It was nice.”
“Good. By the way, you may leave at four o’clock today.”
“Really?” she asked in surprise.
“I want to make sure you have plenty of time to get ready for the launch party tonight.”
“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Just make sure you have those corrections done before you leave.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lorelei
“Thanks again for picking up Hope from school today,” I spoke as I swept a gray color of eyeshadow across my eye.
“No problem. I told you that Sebastian and I could babysit her tonight while you’re at the launch party.”
“I know, but my mom and Nick are really looking forward to it. In fact, they should be here soon.”
After painting my face and pinning up the sides of my hair while the rest of it fell over my shoulder in curls, I slipped into the red wine-colored dress I made.
“Well?” I turned around and faced Stella.
“You’re going to make every cock in that damn place spring up to action. It’s gorgeous.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“So are you and Jack being civilized to one another now?”
Walking into the bathroom, I picked up a tube of my wine-colored lipstick and swept it across my lips. “I guess. To be honest, he’s been okay the past few days. But I still miss him, if you know what I mean.”
“You don’t need someone like him, Lorelei.”
“You’re right. I don’t. I don’t need anyone because I will never get that close to someone again.”
“Now don’t say shit like that. You’ll meet the man of your dreams sooner or later.”
Walking out of the bathroom, I slipped my feet into a pair of silver rhinestone heels.
“I thought I already did, twice, and look what happened. One was killed and the other hates me for having a kid.”
She fell back on the bed and then sat up on her elbows.
“Jack Sutton isn’t the man of your dreams. You had sex with him, so you thought he was. We’re women. We get emotionally involved at the first sign of a man paying attention to us.”
“I liked him first and that’s why I chose to have sex with him.”
****
Walking into the Lincoln Center, I smiled. So far, everything looked perfect and I prayed that I pulled this off flawlessly. I spotted Coco talking to Garrett and, when she saw me, her mouth dropped.
“You look amazing. Oh my God. Is this another Lorelei original?” she asked as she walked around me, checking me out from head to toe.
“Yes it is and thank you.”
“You look gorgeous, Lorelei.” Garrett smiled as he kissed my cheek.
“Thank you.”
Coco’s hand reached out and lightly touched my dress. “I love the strapless look and the way you notched the sweetheart neckline. Look at these seams and the way the bottom slightly flares out. It’s like a mermaid style but not quite. This is gorgeous, Lorelei. You really need to show off your work more. You’re very talented.”
“Thank you, Coco.”
When I glanced over to my left, my stomach fell at the sight of Jack with his hand on some brunette’s back. Coco noticed my reaction and put her arm around me, turning me the other way.
“Ignore him, Lorelei. He’s a manwhore and not worthy of you or your attention. He told me you two slept together and he told me about your daughter.”
I looked down in shame.
“Listen to me. You put this whole launch party together and you should be proud. Hold your head up high and let everyone know exactly who you are. Don’t let my brother ruin your night just because he decided to bring a skank with him. There are plenty of eligible hot and sexy men here that would love to get to know you.”
“I won’t let him ruin my night, and as for men, I’m not interested. I made a mistake where your brother is concerned and I won’t make that same mistake again.”
“Sweetie, don’t let one rotten fish spoil the rest of the ocean for you.” She winked.
“Oh, there’s Vidal.” She grabbed my hand and led me over to him.
“Vidal, darling.” She kissed both his cheeks.
He looked at me and then at my dress. “Lorelei, that dress is classic. Who is it?” he ask
ed.
“Thank you. I made it.”
His brow raised as he looked over at Coco.
“You designed and made this dress yourself?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Fabulous. I didn’t know you designed.”
“It’s something I do in my spare time.”
He waved his hand in front of his face. “Working for Jack, I’m surprised you have any spare time at all.”
“She also has a daughter,” Coco spoke.
“Oh? I bet she’s just as beautiful as her mommy. Do you have a picture?”
I pulled my phone from my clutch and showed him a picture of Hope.
“Spitting image. She’s gorgeous, Lorelei.”
“Thank you, Vidal.”
“Her daddy is one lucky man to have two beautiful women in his life.”
I pursed my lips together. “Her father was killed before she was born.”
He placed his hand on my arm. “I’m so sorry. Me and my big mouth.”
“Don’t apologize. You couldn’t have known.”
“Well, anyway, I need to catch up with Kit. I will talk to both of you beauties later. Lorelei, we should collaborate some time.”
I needed a drink, so I walked up to the bar, knowing that Jack and his skank were standing there. I didn’t care. I was taking Coco’s advice and holding my head up high, even though it hurt me to see him with her. After ordering a cosmopolitan, I felt a hand lightly touch my arm.
“Lorelei,” Jack spoke.
“Hi, Jack.”
“You look—”
“Beautiful? So I’ve been told quite a few times already.”
The corners of his mouth curved into a sweet smile. A smile I hadn’t seen since that afternoon at the hotel. A smile that always made my panties wet.
“Yes, beautiful. Is this another one of your designs?”
“Yes.”
“It looks great on you.”
“Jack, darling.” The skank hooked her arm in his.
“Isla, this is Lorelei, my personal assistant. She’s responsible for putting this evening together. Lorelei, this is Isla.”
“Nice to meet you, Lorelei. I love your dress.” She extended her bony hand.
Extending mine to be cordial, I spoke, “Nice to meet you too.” I really wanted to claw her eyes out.
The bartender finally set my cosmopolitan on the bar. Picking it up, I looked at Jack and Isla. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go make sure everything is set.” I walked away, holding my head up and pretending that I wasn’t broken inside.
****
Jack
I watched and sipped my scotch as she walked away. She looked incredible and fuck if I wasn’t starting to get hard. She had done everything perfectly for the party and, so far, it was a huge success. It was almost time for Vidal to show off his collection, so everyone began to take their assigned seats at their tables. I escorted Isla over to my table and took my seat next to Lorelei. I had to make a last-minute change to the seating arrangement to ensure there was enough room for my date. Lorelei leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“I see you changed the seating arrangement.”
“I did.”
“I would have done it for you.”
“I know.”
She picked up her drink and took a sip. Isla excused herself to the restroom.
“She’s pretty,” Lorelei spoke.
“I guess.” She was making me uncomfortable.
“Did you make sure she didn’t have a kid before asking her here?”
“That’s enough,” I whispered in a stern voice.
Lorelei began to cough and she turned her head the other way.
“Are you okay? Here, have my water.” I picked up my glass and handed it to her.
“I don’t want your water. But thank you anyway.”
Isla returned from the restroom and my mother stood up on the runway and introduced Vidal before taking her seat across from me. The showing was a success, and afterwards, Coco and I stood with my mother and Vidal while people chatted and congratulated us. I couldn’t help but glance over at Lorelei as she was talking to Stiles Lang, CEO of Lang Industries. She was smiling and touching his arm. I could feel an anger brewing inside me as I clenched my jaw.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I spoke as I looked at my mother. I was going to find out what the hell they were talking about.
Walking over to where they were standing, Stiles held out his hand.
“Jack, excellent launch.”
I shook his hand instead of punching him like I wanted to. “Thanks for coming, Stiles. I see you’ve met my personal assistant, Lorelei.”
“Yes. She quite a talented young woman. I’d keep my eye on her if I were you. Someone may come and snatch her up right from under you.” He winked at her, which infuriated me even more.
I chuckled. “She’s not going anywhere, Stiles. I do need to speak with Lorelei for a minute, so if you’ll excuse us.”
“Of course. It was wonderful to meet you, Lorelei.” He smiled as he took hold of her hand and brought it up to his lips. Hopefully, our paths will cross again soon.”
I watched him walk away and then looked at Lorelei. “I don’t want you talking to him.”
“Why?” She began to cough again.
“Because he’s a snake.”
“Aren’t you all?” She arched her brow and walked away from me.
Isla walked over and placed her hand on my back. “How about we get out of here and go back to my place?”
“I can’t, Isla. I need to stay after with my mother and Coco. I’ll have a car service take you home.”
“Are you serious, Jack?”
“Yes. I’m dead serious.” I glared at her.
“Fine. Thanks for nothing.” She stomped on her heels and walked away.
I saw Lorelei standing at the bar drinking a glass of water, so I walked over to her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m just really tired. I think I may be coming down with a cold or something. I’m going to go home.”
“Let me drive you. I don’t want you taking a cab.”
“No, Jack. I can get home by myself.”
“I know you can, but Tony is driving you home. End of discussion, Lorelei.”
She sighed as she set her glass down on the bar. “Fine.”
She made her rounds and said goodbye to everyone before walking outside to the limo. I slid in next to her.
“Thank you,” I spoke.
“For what?” She turned and looked at me.
“For doing such a great job with the launch party.”
“You’re welcome.” She coughed a couple of times.
“If you’re not better in a couple of days, you should see a doctor.”
“I’ll be fine, Jack.” She looked out the window.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lorelei
I thanked Tony for the ride home and said goodbye to Jack.
“Good night, Jack. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Get some rest, Lorelei.”
I stepped inside my apartment and relieved my mom and Nick of their babysitting duties. They had a lot to do over the weekend since they were leaving for their cruise on Monday.
“Are you sure you have things covered for Hope while we’re gone? I feel bad.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. Stella is picking her up a couple of days and then she’s going to latch key after school. She understands and she’ll be fine.”
“I know, honey, but I still feel bad. You didn’t have a job when Nick and I booked this trip.”
“Stop worrying. We’ll be fine.” I grasped her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Have fun on your trip and we’ll see you when you get back.”
I couldn’t get them out fast enough. All I wanted to do was go to bed.
****
I woke up Monday morning with a full blown cold. Runny nose, cough, chest congestion, and headache. Stella had called m
e yesterday to tell me that she and Sebastian had to fly out to Arizona because Sebastian’s father had taken a turn for the worse and the doctor only gave him a few more days. She apologized up and down about not being able to pick up Hope from school. I told her not to worry about it and that Hope could go to latch key a couple of extra days.
Walking into the office, coughing and sniffling, I set Jack’s coffee on his desk.
“You’re worse,” he spoke. “Did you see a doctor over the weekend?”
“No. It really just hit me hard last night. I’ll be okay. I just took some cold medicine.”
“Maybe you should go see a doctor on your lunch.”
“Jack, it’s a cold. A common cold. I don’t need to see a doctor.”
“If you say so. I need you to run these up to my mother’s office.” He handed me a couple of file folders.
As I was walking out of his office, I was a little stunned by what he said.
“I hope that Hope doesn’t catch your cold.”
I turned around and gave him a small smile. “I hope she doesn’t either.”
After picking Hope up from latch key, I decided to take her to dinner since I didn’t feel well enough to cook when we got home.
“Can we go to Ellen’s to eat?”
“That’s pretty far, Hope. Why don’t you pick something closer to home?”
“Please, Mama. We can take the subway.”
As I looked down at her blue eyes, I felt bad because she had such a long day and she would continue to have those days the rest of the week.
“Okay. Ellen’s it is.”
After we finished our dinner, Hope and I stepped outside onto Broadway. As we were heading down the street to the subway station, I heard someone call my name.
“Lorelei!”
I looked across the street and saw Jack standing outside his limo. He held his finger up, signaling us to stay put as he crossed the street.
“Hi, Mr. Sutton.” Hope smiled.
“Hello, Hope. Lorelei. What are you two doing in Times Square?”
“We had dinner at Ellen’s.” I coughed. “What are you doing here?”
“I just had a meeting with someone about the magazine. Are you on your way home?”
“Yeah. We were just heading to the subway station.”
He sighed. “Come on. Tony will take you home.”
I put up my hand. “We can take the subway, Jack.”