Chapter Four

“You’re stalling,” Monica said with laughter in her voice.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

Jessie wrinkled her nose at her sister and turned to the mirror one last time. The dress fit perfectly. The cut of the dress accentuated her slim waist and the shoes showed off her calves.

Her hair sat piled on her head with plenty of whimsy strips falling to her shoulders. Jack had even tucked a pair of earrings into the box. Or maybe the man who originally bought the dress had tossed them in and Jack had no idea they were in there.

“You look gorgeous.” Monica was sprawled on the bed, gazing at Jessie while tossing popcorn in her mouth.

Jessie ran her hands over her nervous stomach and turned to the side. “It’s not bad, huh?”

“So tell me more about this guy…Jack.”

Maybe it is time to get going? “I’ve already told you. He’s just a guy I met at the restaurant who wants to help me find a nice, well-off man who can help dig me out of this hole I’m in. And then I can finish my degree, too.”

“Is he cute?”

“Who, Jack?”

Monica rolled her eyes. “No, the well-off guy you haven’t met yet! Of course I mean Jack.”

Answering Monica’s question honestly would result in constant harassment. “He’s all right, I guess.” If you want your men sexy, gorgeous, and confident beyond reason. Jessie pictured his dimpled grin and couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on her own face.

“He’s from Texas?”

“Yep.”

“Accent?”

“One that matches the cowboy hat he’s always wearing.”

“When are we going to meet him?”

Jessie turned to her sister and placed her hands on her waist. “It isn’t what you’re thinking, Mo. Jack is a friend. That’s it. I’ve told him no to him and me dating.”

“So he is into you!”

“A lot of good that does. He’s a waiter at the hotel. From the sound of it, he doesn’t stay put for any real length of time, and he mooches off his friends when he needs a place to stay. I need a guy to actually help around here, not want it for free.”

Monica pursed her lips together in thought. “Is he a bum?”

“No,” Jessie burst out, and then answered more honestly, “I don’t know. I think he does OK for himself. Listen, I need to go.”

Her sister scrambled off the bed and handed her the wrap that came with the dress.

“I’ve got everything here, so don’t worry about rushing home. You deserve a fun night out.”

“Thanks.” Jessie hugged her sister and exited her bedroom.

Danny was curled up on the couch with his own bowl of popcorn. “You look pretty, Mommy.”

“Thanks, sweetheart. You be good for Aunt Monica.” Danny was always good for her sister.

“We’re going to watch a DVD,” he told her.

“OK, but I want you in bed by nine.”

“I know.”

Jessie grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “Thanks again, Mo. I owe you.”

“Go. Have a great time.”

Jack checked his watch for the third time in fifteen minutes. People were still filing in, but he’d yet to spot the one woman he’d been searching for.

Maybe she changed her mind.

He turned to offer one of the guests walking by one of the miniquiches he carried on a plate, acting the role of waiter. With a few exceptions, many of the people at the party had no idea who he was. Most of the staff at the hotel who did know were also dressed as waiters, adding to the disguise.

Several members of the room service staff were standing in a circle talking. Two of the men held beverages in their hands, while the women kept glancing around the party looking nervous. Jack saw Sam hovering by the bar, staring at the tray of champagne-filled glasses. Jack walked to his side. “Hey, Sam.”

“Hello, Mr.—”

“Jack,” he quickly interrupted. Those kinds of slips would blow his cover should Jessie actually show up.

“Hello, Jack.”

He motioned toward the fidgety women. “Isn’t that Louisa and Shelley from housekeeping?”

Sam nodded. “Yes, it is.”

“They look thirsty. You might help break the ice by offering them an adult beverage.”

Sam tried not to scowl, but he failed. He removed several glasses from the tray before attempting to pick it up. Jack noted the skinny black tie and vest covering the white linen shirt, the same uniform Jack was wearing, and thought, You can make him look like a waiter, but you can’t expect him to perform like one.

Sam’s tray tilted when he lifted it. When he walked over to his staff, he did so at such a slow pace, Jack thought it would be an hour before he crossed the room. Even if he managed to make it, half the liquid would be spilled out of the glasses, if they didn’t fall over altogether.

He chuckled.

Then he felt her.

Jack swiveled toward the entrance, caught sight of Jessie, and blew out a breath. His entire body kicked into gear. His heart pounded hard in his chest, his eyes felt hot, and the swelling in his pants reminded him of how long he’d been without a woman.

There wasn’t a singular word to describe the fresh beauty he saw when he looked at her. Her bashful smile danced behind her eyes as she scanned the room. The dress caressed her curves like a lover’s skillful hands. Her long legs peeked beneath the material and lifted enough in the heels to make him want to touch the spot behind her calves. Jessie was rainbows and unicorns and Jack knew he absolutely had to have her.