Olivia: It’s easy to get wrapped up in the glamour and glitz of his world. Slow down until you’re more certain of your feelings. And promise us you’ll be careful.
* * *
Jazz: Is this more about me than you all not liking Win?
* * *
DOC BG: YES!
* * *
Emily: Only about you. We want to protect you.
* * *
Simone: But don’t expect us to hire you another bodyguard.
* * *
Olivia: Though if your current one is hot and single, I’d like an introduction.
* * *
DOC BG: Me, too!
Jazz set her phone on the coffee table. She’d needed her friends’ understanding, not their worries over—according to them—her fragile heart. Why couldn’t they have just been happy for her and Win?
Seventeen
Dating Win Forrester was like living a storybook romance. While July in New York was sunny and humid, their dates weren’t only local. He flew her to Maine for a lobster feed on the beach and then took her to Boston to attend an outdoor concert. He also rented an entire movie theater when she wanted to see a new rom-com release, and he did the same with a trendy new restaurant.
“Are you free next weekend?” Win asked after he’d returned from another business trip.
“I can be,” she teased.
Win rubbed his chin that was covered with stubble. He hadn’t wanted to take the time to shave before meeting her for breakfast, and she liked how it looked. “Do you have a passport?”
She nodded. “What do you have in mind?”
Win wouldn’t tell her. Neither would Olivia, who he enlisted to help Jazz pack for the trip, but she soon found herself on his private jet. Hours later, they were landing in Paris—a city she’d only dreamed about visiting.
As they checked into a luxurious two-bedroom suite, Jazz clutched the handle of her roll-on suitcase. The place smelled like money just as his limo had.
“What’s wrong?” Win asked as if sensing her unease.
Feeling underdressed, she stared at her bag. “I’m not sure I packed the right clothes.”
“Whatever you brought will be fine. That’s why I asked Olivia to help, but if you need something else, we’ll go shopping.”
Jazz had no doubt shopping with Win would be another out-of-this-world experience, and probably completely romantic. She thought about the shopping scene in Pretty Woman, one of her mom’s favorite movies, only Jazz felt more like a princess than Julia Robert’s character.
Win touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great.” Jazz didn’t know if it was the comforting sound of his voice or his offering a solution without her having to ask for one, but he put her right at ease. And that feeling continued while sipping coffee in cafes, visiting the Louvre and Versailles, and walking hand in hand along the Seine River.
As she toured the city of love, a memory of her nineteenth birthday surfaced. Nathan had surprised her with a buffet of desserts from international locations. France’s offerings had included café au lait and a finely layered crepe cake. She’d thought nothing could top that.
Until now…
Paris exuded romance, and as hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep herself from wanting more with Win. And when he kissed her at the Eiffel Tower, she knew she was falling in love with him. Head over heels falling.
That should scare her more than it did, but she felt so safe with him. That had nothing to do with the bodyguards always in the background, but with the man himself.
She didn’t dare admit her newly recognized feelings to him. Jazz had promised Olivia to be careful, and she would be.
“Where else would you like me to take you?” he asked on their flight back to New York.
“You don’t have to take me anywhere.” She could ask to go to any exotic place in the world. Once upon a time with Nathan, she’d dreamed of doing that, but now what she wanted more than anything was to build on their feelings for each other. Hopefully someday create a life together. “I just like being with you.”
“Then we’ll spend more time together.”
And so, they did.
Everything continued to go well until Jazz noticed Win acting strangely—almost…secretive. Something wasn’t right. She’d had this same feeling of impending doom with Chase, who hadn’t told her the truth about the pressure he felt from the team and her, and it had led to him blowing up at her at the worst possible time.
She might not be wiser, but she was older and not about to let the same thing happen with Win. The only question was how to approach him. Jazz could ask her friends for advice, but the last time they’d talked about Win hadn’t gone well. She would trust her heart and do this on her own.
When Win invited her for a walk at their favorite park on a sunny afternoon in August, she rearranged her schedule to go with him. It was the perfect place to talk.
As they strolled along the path, he seemed lost in his thoughts, so preoccupied he kept asking her to repeat what she’d said.
This had to stop. She pulled him to a bench shaded by a tall tree. It was now or never. “Let’s sit for a minute.”
Win stretched out his legs. “You look tired.”
“I haven’t been sleeping well.” Her fingers played with the ends of her hair to hide their trembling.
“Work?”
She rubbed her hands on her jeans. “You.”
He stiffened. “Why me?”
“You’ve been acting weird.” She took a breath to steady her nerves, trying to get her racing pulse under control. “Is there a problem, or something I should know about?”
A sheepish expression crossed his face. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”
Jazz’s muscles bunched. Her instincts were correct, but she felt zero pride in that.
“I did.” Saying those two words took effort, but she wasn’t backing down. “I don’t know if it’s something I did, if your feelings have changed, or if you’ve met someone else—”
“No.” Hurt filled his gaze. “Why would you think any of those things?”
“I have no idea what you’ve been doing. You don’t tell me anything. You don’t have time to see me. When you do, you’re distracted.”
He exhaled loudly. “That’s because I’ve been planning a surprise for you.”
Win reached out for her hand.
Jazz hesitated but then put her hand in his. “For me?”
He nodded. “I wanted to keep it a secret, but I may have gone overboard with that.”
“Oh.” Jazz knew she should say more, but her brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders. She was stuck on him wanting to surprise her.
He leaned into her. “Just to be clear, not one of those three things you mentioned is true, especially finding someone else. You’re the only woman I want to be with. The only one I’m with.”
His words alleviated her fears. She rested her head on his shoulder. “So what’s the surprise?”
Win laughed. “If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise.”
“I’d still like to know.”
“I can never say no to you.” As she straightened, he angled toward her. “I’ve told you about my foundation, The Heart of Forrester.”
She nodded.
“A staff member resigned to move out of state, so we have an open position. A vital one we need filled as soon as possible. Fortunately, I know the perfect person for the job, so I’ve been working to get an offer together for you. I’ve also involved my legal team since we’re dating.”
She didn’t understand. “But what about appearances? You sold InstaLove…”
“Because it wasn’t mine. The foundation is. The board of directors are family and friends. I provide the money and give approval for major projects, but I’m not involved in the actual running of it. You would report to one staff member, who reports to another. My lawyers assure me that’s enough. What do you think?”
Her insi
des tumbled. “You want me to work for the Heart of Forrester Foundation?”
“More than anything.” His smile filled her with love. “I know your dream is to found your own non-profit, and this isn’t an entry-level position. You’ll gain experience needed for the future.”
Her breath shortened. Tears pricked her eyes. “It sounds perfect.”
“I was hoping you’d think so.” His eyes gleamed.
“I do.” But this meant so much more than the position he wanted to offer her. Win had listened to her talk about the future. He supported her dreams, not just with words, but with a way to help her reach her end goal.
She kissed him. Hard. And didn’t want to stop.
If she hadn’t been convinced she’d fallen in love with him before, she would have known now. That feeling from the first time she’d seen him at Xavier’s party when she’d known she could do anything with him at her side, had been correct. That had nothing to do with his net worth or his foundation.
It was all Win and his belief in her.
Edwin Forrester the IV was helping her make her dreams come true. And, she realized, loving him was one of her dreams, too.
Eighteen
After submitting her letter of resignation to InstaLove, Jazz spent the next two weeks working with her team before her last day. She’d enjoyed her time there, but she was ready for more. Working for the Heart of Forrester Foundation would bring her one step closer to her dream.
Maybe closer to Win, too.
By the time she arrived home after her first day at her new job, she had no doubt both would happen.
N8 THE GR8: Hey, Jazzy J. Have time for a call?
* * *
Jazz: I’m free now.
Her phone rang. She put the cell to her ear. “How is the world-famous photographer doing?”
Nathan laughed, a familiar sound she’d grown up loving to hear. “Doing great and keeping busy.”
“I’ve been seeing more articles about you.” She remembered the last one and how happy he’d looked. “You’re living the dream. Just as you planned. I’m thrilled for you.”
“I’m not the only one.” He sounded like he was smiling. “My mom told me about your new job. Way to go, Jazzy J. You’re going for your dream, and I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“Thanks.” Each day at the foundation was going to be an adventure. “One step closer to starting my own non-profit someday.”
“That day will come sooner than you think.”
“I hope so.” She sighed happily. “My plan seems more of a reality now.”
“My mom also said you’re dating a new guy.”
“Yeah, his name is Win.” Warmth spread through her. “He’s a good man.”
“Glad to hear that.”
“How about you?” She tried to remember what her mom had told her about Nathan. “Are you still with Monique?”
“Yeah. It’s been over a year now.”
Jazz hadn’t realized it was that long. “Wow.”
“I know, right?” He laughed. “Not like me at all.”
“Hey, it’s great. Really.” She wanted Nathan to find his happily ever after, too. “Monique must be something special.”
“Yeah. Mo’s also a model.”
Typical Nathan. Jazz laughed. “Of course she is.”
“Her parents…” The line went silent.
“Do you get along?”
“They’re great. They’ve been happily married for thirty years.” He sounded awestruck by that fact. “Seeing them and her grandparents made me realize not all couples are like my parents or yours.”
Jazz wanted to scream with joy. This was a life-changing realization for Nathan, who hadn’t believed in marriage due to his mom and dad’s dysfunctional relationship. He’d been going from one woman to the next for years, until Monique, but now his long-held belief wouldn’t keep him from being with one special person…forever.
“They aren’t.” She wished she could hug him in person. “I’m so happy you see this.”
“It’s just…” His voice faded.
“What?”
“I’ve been thinking about taking the next step with Mo.”
This was not the boy who had broken her heart right before they were graduating college. She was excited for him. “What’s stopping you?”
“Mo deserves the best, and I’m not sure I’d be a good husband.”
“Are you kidding me?” Jazz was yelling. She needed to calm down, so he’d take her seriously. This was important.
“Listen to me, Nathan Reed.” Her memories of the boy she’d loved weren’t the reason she knew he’d be a wonderful spouse. It was from the years since then, watching him grow into the man he was today. “The fact you’re even worried about this tells me you’ll be a great husband.”
“I wish it were that simple.”
“It is.” Jazz had to make him see what she saw. “You’re not only an amazing man, but you are also an incredible friend people can count on. You’re making an enormous difference in the world, too.”
“Jazzy J—”
“I’m not finished.” She wanted Nathan to know why he should take the next step with his girlfriend. “If you’re worried you’ll be like your father… Don’t be.”
“I’d hate to turn into him.”
“You won’t.” She was as confident of that as she was of her mom’s love for her. “You might share DNA, but that’s all. I promise you.”
“I want to believe that.”
“Then do.” She took a breath. “You sold your place in the city to spend more time with your mom when you’re home, right?”
“Yes, but…” The need to protest was evident in his voice.
“You’re also aware of your mom’s feelings, especially when she’s sad, and you stick up for her against your dad.” Jazz wasn’t going to let Nathan get any buts in there. “You are the best son and sensitive to others’ feelings. If that doesn’t show you’ll be a caring, compassionate, and loving husband, I don’t know what will. But if you need me to go on, I will.”
“No, but thanks.” His voice cracked. “Maybe I should hire you to do my PR.”
Leave it to Nate the Great to lighten the mood.
“You can’t afford me,” she joked. They’d been through so much together as kids and then in college. He’d said he was breaking up for her own good, too. She hadn’t believed him then, but later, she’d known he was right. That reminded her…
“I still have your engaged-to-be-engaged ring at my mom’s house. She can run it over to your parents’ place if you want to tie up any loose ends before you propose.”
He chuckled. “Given you’ve been engaged, married, and divorced, the statute of limitations has passed on that pre-proposal, but thanks for offering.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Right back at you,” he said without missing a beat. “Do you think this new guy is the one?”
“Well, given I’ve thought other guys were the one before, I’m not saying anything for fear of jinxing myself.” That made him laugh. “But we have fun together, and he supports my dreams.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.” He seemed satisfied with her response.
“Exactly.” She’d missed talking to Nathan.
“I have to run.”
“Thanks for calling and good luck with Monique…Mo.” Hearing from him meant a lot. “Let me know what happens.”
As Jazz disconnected from the call, contentment flooded her. All she wanted along with her own happiness was for her friends to find their soulmate as well. One down…
Later that night, Jazz’s cell buzzed with a text from Chase, who was also congratulating her on the career change. She grinned. Guess it was the day for her exes to contact her. When her phone rang at ten o’clock that night, she wasn’t surprised to find Xavier on the line.
“Hello,” she said. “Let me guess, you’re just getting home.”
“Long day.” He sounded ti
red. More so than usual.
“You’ll make yourself sick if you don’t take a break.”
“I will once things are going better.” He paused. “I want to hear about your new job.”
“It’s awesome.” She wiggled her toes. “It’s more than I imagined doing. The experience will be invaluable.”
“Good for you.” His words lacked his usual excitement.
“You don’t sound like you’re happy for me.”
“I’m thrilled about your new job. You’ll be brilliant at it.” Silence filled the line “It’s just Win. I’m worried he’ll hurt you.”
“Thanks, but I’m a big girl.” Nathan had been happy for her. Why couldn’t Xavier do the same?
“I didn’t tell you everything about his reputation.”
“Why are you saying this now?” She and Win hadn’t just started dating. Xavier knew what was going on, if not from her, then from Olivia. “I thought Win was your friend?”
“He is, but that doesn’t mean he’s good enough for one of my closest friends who is also my former wife.”
“That’s sweet, but I’ve seen no evidence of the man who goes through women like bubble gum. He doesn’t even check out other women when we’re together.”
Xavier’s sigh filled her ear. “The two of you look good together. I’ll give you that. But all Win cares about is making money, whereas you want to help others. The two of you couldn’t be more different.”
“We’re just dating.” At least for now. This weekend, he was taking her to meet his parents.
“If dating doesn’t work out, what happens to your job?” Xavier had asked it as a question, but she heard a warning in his words.
“Win’s legal staff looked into everything,” she said, full of confidence.
“His lawyers are there to protect his interests, not yours.”
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