Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Aurora tipped her head toward the outer room with the silent auction items. “She’s making sure everything is in place. She’s already gone over the forms and starting bids ten times, but she’s a perfectionist,” Aurora said, smiling.
“Jade, a little crisis in the kitchen.” Lauren walked up and joined them. “I’m sorry to interrupt. But you know that you have a special touch with Martin.”
Jade shot Aurora an apologetic glance. “I have to go but don’t worry. Martin has little tantrums now and then, but in the end, it’s always fine.”
“Jade.” Aurora put a hand on Jade’s forearm. “Relax. Nothing can ruin tonight. Even if all the sprinklers went off, we’d still make a ton of money.” She winked and Jade’s stomach relaxed.
This anxiety Jade experienced was a killer, but her sister-in-law had come to know her well in the last year, and she knew just what to say to ease her nervousness.
Jade managed a smile. “I appreciate that, but please stop jinxing things.” She blew a kiss so as not to mess up Aurora’s makeup and walked away, heading for the kitchen to deal with her temperamental chef.
After calming Martin and separating him from a new employee who had upset his chi, she and Lauren stepped into a quiet space for a few minutes before the actual gala began.
“Are you okay?” Lauren asked.
Jade nodded. “I am. Things are normal. I think I’d worry more if Martin didn’t pitch a fit before every event.”
Lauren laughed. “Good. Then I should ask you if you’re aware that Knox Sinclair is on the guest list?”
At the mention of his name, Jade’s stomach did a somersault. “I noticed,” she murmured.
But she’d immediately put it out of her mind—in order to get things ready for tonight, she’d had to. He hadn’t mentioned it when they’d spoken about Holly, and Jade had too much on her plate to worry about seeing him again. Liar. In her downtime, she thought about nothing else. Not that she’d admit that to Lauren.
She bit down on the inside of her cheek and wondered if he’d be bringing a date. Her chest hurt at the thought and she gave herself a mental slap because he had every right to do what he wanted with whoever he wanted. She’d pushed him away. Now she’d worked herself up and needed to change the topic of conversation before Lauren pushed further.
“Did I mention you look beautiful?” Jade took in Lauren’s sleek hair and gorgeous gold-beaded gown.
“I know what you’re doing, but thank you, anyway. And you look beautiful, too. Knox will be blown away when he sees you.” Before Jade could reply, Lauren’s gaze slid beyond Jade to the ballroom. “I need to go check on something. Break a leg!” She winked and took off, leaving Jade to shake her head at her friend’s antics.
What was with all the matchmakers in her life? Couldn’t Holly and Lauren just leave well enough alone? Then again, maybe she wasn’t being fair. Though she’d spoken to Holly a few times to schedule a cake tasting and some other things the young woman was eager to take care of early in the process, she hadn’t mentioned tonight’s event. So, it was just Lauren she’d have to watch.
Twenty minutes later, the first guests began to arrive. They checked in, received an auction brochure, and were given their table number for the dinner portion of the evening. The photographer hired for the event—who would be sending photos to the social media sites covering it—had arrived and had begun snapping pictures.
Deciding it was time to collect her family and move them into the main ballroom, she headed for the glass wall and bar at the back of the room. Aurora had found Nick and he’d wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Jade smiled at the sight of her twin, a wanderer who’d finally found his home with Aurora.
He stood with their playboy brother, Harrison, who still showed no signs of wanting to settle down. And beside him was Asher, who’d sworn he’d remain single forever. But for now, everyone was happy, and that was all that mattered. She joined them, nudging in between the guys.
“Hey!”
“Jade! I did a walk-through and couldn’t believe this place. You’ve done a spectacular job. Congratulations,” Asher said, lifting his glass in her honor.
“Told you,” Aurora said. She took a sip of what looked like sparkling water.
Jade smiled, pleased and proud. “Thanks. I’m so glad we’re all together. Are Mom and Dad here?”
“They are. Dad took Serenity to see the auction items,” Asher said.
As the oldest, he’d been nine when their real mom left, and he’d been calling Serenity, their nanny, and later stepmom, by her first name his entire life. So had Harrison, who’d been six, and Zach, who’d been four but mimicked his older brothers. Only Jade and Nick called her Mom. Somehow, it all worked.