Page 6 of Blue Collar Billionaire
“Brett Harston and I were to be married, but he dumped me right before the wedding. He was my high school sweetheart, and we got back together when I returned to Royal after I went through a divorce.” Lexi looked out the window, watching the Royal scenery, wondering if she’d ever stop feeling so damn weepy when telling this story. “Brett and I were drawn together. I think it felt familiar. I convinced myself we were in love again, but we weren’t. It was comfortable.” She turned to look at him, admiring his strong profile. “Does that sound crazy?”
He gave her a reassuring glance. “Not at all.”
It wasn’t much consolation, but she’d take it. “I pressured him into the wedding. It was my fault. My father’s opinion of him didn’t help.”
“He didn’t like Brett?”
“My mother helped me plan the wedding because that was what I wanted, but my father still saw him the way he was when we first met. Not the sort of guy he wanted for his daughter.” Lexi stopped there, knowing that if she explained further, she’d likely insult Jack. Her father had objected because Brett had a very modest background. “That’s probably more than you ever wanted to know.”
Jack shook his head. “No. I just don’t like hearing you blame yourself. I realize I don’t know you well, but it doesn’t strike me as right.” He turned into the parking lot at Sheen. The glass structure was all lit up against the dark Royal sky. Then, after pulling up to the valet stand and killing the ignition, he turned over his keys to the attendant and met Lexi on the sidewalk. Just like he had at her place, he offered his arm, but he stopped before they went inside. “I have a proposal for you, Lexi.” His voice was deep and calm as he peered down at her.
She found it difficult to swallow. His eyes were so warm and comforting, and after the things he’d said in the car, she didn’t quite know what to make of him. Even with her determination to stay away from men, she could imagine how nice it would be to have Jack Bowden’s eyes be the last thing she saw before she went to sleep. Or the first thing she saw when she woke up. “What’s that, Jack?”
“Let’s not talk about any man who couldn’t find a way to be good to you. Let’s let tonight be all about looking ahead.”
Lexi was flabbergasted. Where in the heck had this man been all her life? Maybe she needed to go on fake dates more often. This one was going perfectly. “You’re full of surprises tonight, aren’t you?”
He grinned and reached for the door. “The night’s not over yet.”
Lexi was swept inside, immediately inundated by the sights and sounds of the bustling restaurant. The place was packed, with customers dining at every table, enjoying cocktails in the bar, and a sizable line was waiting to speak with the host. Jack and Lexi took their place in the queue, and she tried to ignore the conflicting thoughts that were whirling through her. Part of her wished no one would see her, and she could enjoy her evening with Jack, getting to know more about him. Another part of her hopedeveryonewould see her and become convinced that she had rebounded from her heartache in spectacular fashion.
A willowy woman with bronze skin and thick brunette hair swept up in an elegant twist came from the back of the dining room and spoke to the host. She surveyed the line of waiting diners, then her eyes lit up when she seemed to see Lexi and Jack. She waved, and to Lexi’s surprise, Jack waved back.
“I don’t think we’ll be waiting much longer,” he muttered into her ear as the woman approached.
“Jack! I knew I saw your name on the reservation list.” The woman and Jack embraced warmly, making Lexi wonder if she was an ex. “I can’t believe you didn’t call me directly. You know I’ll always get you a table.”
“Faith, I’d like you to meet Lexi Alderidge,” Jack said, turning to Lexi. “Faith is the manager.”
Lexi then remembered that the entire Sheen staff were women, a detail put in place by their head chef, Charlotte, Ross Edmond’s fiancée.
Faith shook Lexi’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Jack and I go way back.”
“Oh, really?” Lexi was sure she was right. This was an ex. Why did that bother her?
Jack laughed, and she yet again noticed his dimples. They made him a little more perfect. “We knew each other in high school. In San Antonio.”
“How nice,” Lexi said, mentally tucking away every bit of info about Jack she gathered.
“Let me get you two to your table,” Faith said. “We’re insanely busy tonight.” She waved them through the throng of waiting customers and whisked them to the back of the restaurant, where she seated them at a beautiful table. “I’ll have Charlotte send out something special for you. Can I get a bottle of wine or champagne started?”
Jack slid Lexi an inquisitive look, like he was sizing her up yet again, but he didn’t ask a question. “I’m thinking champagne tonight, Faith. Your best bottle. Thank you.”
“Absolutely.” She patted him on the shoulder and turned on her heel in the opposite direction.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Lexi murmured as she got settled in her seat.
“We’re celebrating.”
She quirked a brow. “What are we celebrating?”
“Your freedom.”
Lexi hadn’t thought about her situation like that. She’d spent her entire life under someone’s thumb, having gone from her parents to Brett in high school, then Roger in college and beyond, only to end up back with Brett. She was free now. Or she would be once she was off the family compound.
Just then, she spotted Rusty Edmond coming up behind Jack, along with Billy Holmes, the mastermind behind the Soiree on the Bay festival. Rusty’s daughter Gina and stepson Asher were with them, as well. Lexi felt her spine stiffen. If she was about to get the same treatment from Rusty as she’d gotten from Ross, this nice evening was about to evaporate.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked.
