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Chapter Two
When Claudia stepped back into the wedding party, she immediately made a beeline for the ladies’ room. “Excuse me,” she said moving through the swinging door past a woman leaving.
With her heels back on her feet, Claudia strolled to the sink and turned on the faucet; holding her hands under the downpour of warm water. A heavy sigh escaped her. What was going on with her? Claudia didn’t think of herself as timid. Nor did she ever feel embarrassed by her past. However, being around Jaden made all her flaws rise to the surface, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Claudia was just fine with being her spunky, flirtatious, humorous self, and as much as she adored Jaden from afar, being so close left Claudia feeling unsuitable.
“Get it together,” she scolded at her reflection. “If a man can’t accept you with your past then forget him.”
Even as she gave herself a pep talk, Claudia’s mind struggled with the words.
“Ugh!” Claudia turned on her heels and left the bathroom. Back in the main tent, Samiyah was dancing with Jonas. She’d changed from the wedding gown previously worn into the body fitting knee length bandage dress and white Christian Louboutins taking her look to a whole new level of sexy. Claudia smiled, sincerely happy for her girl. Lord knows Samiyah had been through tough times when her ex-husband revealed he’d been cheating and wanted a divorce.
It was all Claudia could do to keep Samiyah from killing him when she’d first found out, but those days were long past her. And that ex-husband of hers could eat her heart out.
Claudia’s vision scurried across the room, landing on bridesmaids, which consisted of Jonas’ three sisters; Eden, Phoebe, and Jasmine Alexandria Rose. They were dancing with Derek James Clark, Luke Steele, and Quentin Davidson. The three men were fraternity brothers of Jonathon and Jacob and just as drop dead gorgeous.
It should be a sin and a shame to have so much deliciousness in one room, Claudia thought. With her mind back in a healthy place, Claudia sauntered to the dessert table and grabbed a small bowl of grapes. Moving to the next table, she helped herself to another flute of champagne. Claudia continued to peruse the wedding party. The excitement in the building was hard to resist. Suddenly she felt calmer, her spirits lifted.
“Hey, young lady.”
Claudia turned to Christopher Lee Rose, Jaden’s father. Christopher was a replica of all his sons combined. Despite his fifty-five years, at first glance, one would think Christopher was also a Rose brother. His height at 6’6 made him a giant over Claudia, and his weight was easily 275 pounds. Broad shoulders and a toned build weren’t dismissed in his suit and jacket. But most of all, Claudia loved his slick hair that sat in a short crop to his head. Christopher held his hand out. “May I have this dance?”
The smile extended on her lips, and she put the bowl and champagne flute down on the table. “I would love that,” she said.
Christopher led her to the dance floor, and they moved to the beat of the jazz band playing.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Christopher inquired.
Claudia gave a short nod. “I am.”
“Good, I enjoyed your toast.”
Claudia giggled. “Thanks, I was serious, but everyone seems to think my words held a bit of humor.”
They moved in circles around each other. “I believe you know it did.”
Claudia shrugged. “Maybe.”
They both laughed. “I couldn’t help but notice you caught the bouquet after the ceremony.”
Claudia waved him off. “Never mind that, don’t look too deep into it.”
“Then that would take all the fun out of things, wouldn’t it?”
Claudia couldn’t deny Christopher had a sense of swagger. A bit of old school swagger, but swagger nonetheless. Now she saw where Jaden got it from.
“That’s all it is, fun and games. If I started believing old wives’ tales, I just might lose my marbles,” Claudia said.
Humor sat across his lips, “Ah, but there is something to be said about old wives’ tales.”
“Well, you do know more than me,” Claudia admitted.
Christopher’s broad smile lit up the room. “So you should listen to me, right?”
Claudia dipped her head in agreement.
“Are you dating someone currently, Claudia?”