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Claudia put her hands on her hips glaring at Desiree with a scowl.
“What? At least I’m honest. I want to be happy with someone I can live with forever. If I don’t get over my abandonment issues, I’ll never be able to be in a stable relationship. Let it go, sis, for your sake and Jaden’s.”
Desiree walked towards the door. “I’m going to get ready so we can leave together, think about what I said.”
Claudia teared up. “Damn you, Desiree,” she whispered, knowing her sister was right.
“This is beautiful,” Desiree cast an eye around Morgan’s. “Wow, Claudia, you really pulled this together. I’m so proud of you.”
Claudia smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks.”
Morgan’s was already abuzz when Claudia, Desiree, and Adeline graced the door. From Servers strolling the room with silver trays that held champagne flutes, to the carved crystal angels that sat around the room holding different hors d’oeuvres, Claudia should’ve been proud of herself. But the tightness in her belly told a different story. She missed Jaden, terribly, and she couldn’t get over herself long enough to call and apologize. Claudia thought about it a million times, and it always went something like, I’m sorry, I’m a dufus, forgive me, I love you.’ But of course, that never happened. Claudia’s eyes settled on the place when she spotted Cassie speaking with a handsome middle-aged gentleman.
For a brief moment, Claudia wondered who he was, but she’d be remiss if she said she wasn’t a bit happy Jaden wasn’t her date. Don’t get too excited, he won’t be on the market for long, that little unforgiving voice whispered.
As if she’d summoned him up, the doors opened, and Jaden strolled in, dressed down in a Brioni tuxedo tailored to his muscled physique just enough to kiss his skin and settle around his sculpted figure. Mmmm, Claudia thought. Desiree leaned to her and whispered.
“You just moaned out loud.”
A gasped left Claudia and Desiree snickered.
“That is not funny!” Claudia whispered back.
“Yeah,” Desiree said, “it kinda is.”
Claudia glared at Desiree.
“Chérie…”
A surge of heat fled across Claudia’s skin as she took her vision from Desiree to the gorgeous man in front of her. Jaden’s gaze tore through Claudia’s flesh making sure to assault every part of her body before making his way back up. Jaden’s Adam’s apple bobbled then he spoke.
“You look… divine.”
Claudia blushed. “Thank you, so do you.”
With admiration in his eyes, his lips curved into a wolfish smile. Claudia’s nipples hardened, and she didn’t know how she would make it out of this event with her panties intact.
“I’d like to introduce you to Samuel Jenkins, Mayor of Chicago.” Jaden held his hand out to the man standing next to him that Claudia had yet to take notice of.
“Mayor Jenkins,” she reached out to shake his hand. “Thank you for coming. Your attendance is appreciated.”
“When I received word of what you were doing for the caregivers of Chicago, I had to come. My mother too had a caregiver before she passed away and I’ll do anything to help out where I can.”
“Thank you. All donations tonight go to the startup of Caregivers Organization which I plan to open Monday morning.”
“Do you have a building in mind?”
“Are you aware of S & M Financial Advisory?”
“Downtown Chicago, I drive by it every morning.”
“I co-own that business with Samiyah Manhattan. I was lucky enough to grab another office space in the building so that Caregivers Organization will be our neighbors.”
“Excellent,” the mayor said. “You’re quite a business woman, aren’t you?”
“I try,” she said with a laugh.
“You’re doing a good job. I may be able to send some business your way. We can always use a sound financial advisor or two.” Mayor Jenkins turned to Jaden, “I love beautiful, intelligent women, don’t you?”