The Wright Brother(73)

He had clearly put some thought into all of this. He was taking this whole business of making things right serious. Between the limo, champagne, and a nod to our first date…we were off to a good start.

He reached over to pour me a glass of champagne.

I downed it before he had finished pouring his and handed my glass back to him. “More, please.”

He grinned, flashing me those irresistible dimples. “Don’t get face-plant-on-the-concrete drunk on me.”

“I’m a good girl,” I crooned.

“Don’t bet on it.”

Jensen took a sip of his champagne and then set it down. “Now, before we get there, I do have your Christmas present.”

“My what? But it’s New Year’s and I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts.” We had decided on Christmas Eve since our relationship had been on the rocks that we would hold off on presents.

“Yes. Then, fine, your New Year’s present.”

“But I don’t have anything for you.”

Jensen leveled me with a flat look. “I absolutely do not need anything.”

He procured a black velvet box from his jacket, and I stared at it in awe. When he tried to hand it to me, I just continued to look at it. I’d never gotten anything like this in my life, and I didn’t even know what it was. He was taking this making-up thing to a new level.

“Go on. Open it,” he instructed.

I gently took the box in my hand and popped the cover open. Inside was a simple chain with a round diamond encased in a halo of diamonds. It was soft, elegant, and probably cost a fortune. It looked as if it cost more than my Forester.

“I can’t…”

“It’s a present. You can.”

“Wow. Okay,” I whispered. “Will you put it on me?”

I slipped the necklace out of the box, pulled my hair up, and then let him clasp it into place. It felt like a weight sitting in the middle of my sternum, but it didn’t overpower the dress. It was as if he had known. Or the man just had amazing taste in diamonds.

“Thank you. It’s really too much though.”

“Emery, for you, it’s never going to be enough.”

I leaned toward him, letting the necklace dangle between us, and then kissed him deeply. “A girl could get used to this if you’re not careful.”

“I’m not planning on being careful. Kid gloves are off. You might have to endure fancy dinners and random presents and unplanned trips on my private jet. This is the man I am, Emery, as much as the man I am when I’m with you. I’d like to have you in both worlds.”

I nodded, suddenly speechless. Jensen was offering me his world. I’d be a fool not to take it.

The limo stopped in front of the Overton, and we were whisked out and down the breezy walkway inside. The room was already packed with people, but I could see that much of his family was already there. We meandered over to their table, and Jensen left me with Morgan before he went off to get us drinks. Apparently, our table had bottle service, but champagne wouldn’t be passed out to the room until right before midnight.

“Oh!” Morgan gasped. “He gave you the necklace.”

I reflexively touched the diamond. “Yes.”

“It looks great on you.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m so glad things are going well again. Jensen gets so cranky when he’s being a total idiot and refuses to admit it.”

I laughed and covered my mouth.

“I’m glad things are going well too,” I admitted with a smile.

“Also, I’m so happy that you’re here. Seriously. The whole family is.”

I smiled, unable to convey how much that meant to me. “I think I’m just going to slip to the restroom while Jensen waits in that outrageous line.”

“All right,” Morgan said. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Nah, I’m okay. I’ll just be back in a minute.”

Then, I disappeared into the crowd to locate the restroom in this huge ballroom. It was off some hallway, and luckily, since it was so early in the night, it wasn’t full with a line. I did my business, washed my hands, and then exited, only to almost run into someone.

“Oh! Sorry,” I said, trying to sidestep the woman.

“Just the person I was looking for,” she said.

I glanced up at her and finally took her in. My stomach dropped. This could not be who I thought it was. “Have we met?”

“We haven’t had the pleasure. I’m glad to rectify that. I’m Vanessa.”

She stuck her hand out, but I just stared down at it in shock. When I didn’t say anything, she dropped her hand, looked down at my necklace, and then back up at me.