Tonight, she was content to fully rest easy
Chapter 12 – The Guest of Honor
with a ringe of enthusiasm at the prospect of the day, she noticed that debastian” was verified by a quick check of bei phone, a late night tem from him mating his absence.
“My love, I know you must be adeep now, but 11 be cotning bom tonight Two of my cents or jena a seckers disag
Without responding, she rodied her eyes and thus the phone back on the bed she felt a string lightness in of frustration, as if the dieta tartemen them had be
She took a shower, got chested, and headed to work with eagre thoughts, it was a typical workday, but she quickly on forwards. The idea of spending time with jarch excited her, and he had sent her the address for their dinner
i–duty, making room for th
She went to the restaurant after work, the adders led to a peaceful, remote location. The intimate atmosphede created by the soft glow of the ligh she entered and saw Jacob waiting for ben.
He was the only one in the room, hekling a bouquet of flowers, and his eyes brightened as she walked in,
“Hey, Madde” he said, smiling as he kissed her check gently,
“Hrs, Jakey” she replied, her face lighting up the locked around,
“I had the whole place booked he said with a grin
Her eyes widened in surprise, and a warm blush crept across her cheeks,
He chucked thr
I figured we could boch use a quiet evening, just us”
Madeline couldn’t stop smiling, feeling a mix of excument and gra
“Are you hungry?” Kant anything to he asked, leading her toy table set up in the mes
“Yes, please” she said with a grin, settling into her seat
A waiter erberged as be clapped his hands, smiling as he took their order before slipping into kitchen. She arched an eyebrow and teased, impressed b
Jacob laughed, his eyes shining
Madeline forgot everything the during the warmth, teughing, and easy conversation that chartarioed do
fo, his eyes sever left hers as he listened intently and added his own drie
they were done, they proceeded toward the exit with Madeline holding the bouquet and appreciating the flowers, she stopped and named to face himling both pra elled to express something that had been building inside of her.
at’s wrong. Madde?” he asked, concern flickering in his eyes,
She hesitated, holding the bouquet a line gon
He looked taken aback, clearly not expecting the question,
understand” he stammered, geninely puzzled
pesturing to the flowers and the empty restaurant he’d reserved just for them,
-The texts, the dinners, the dates, and now this” she said, lifting the bouquet slightly,
Time were both supposed to be getting married soon, Jarub What’s with all the_}
Be interrupted her with a sudden laugh, causing her to raise an eyebrow She looked at him, a lerle thrown off,
*Getting married?” be repeated, shaking his head, his laughter subsiding into a smile,
*Madeline, I’m not getting married”
She seed, thanking he was paing.
Cove, Jan
ou in the ting om at the store the insisted,
“You were there, looking at suite or whatever you had come to i (I thought you were getting married!”
Jacob Laughed again, his epershiting with amusement,
oh, that Made I wasn’t picking out my own wedding suit. mas these helping my big sister choose her wedding deu”
‘you‘ or not… you’re not engaged or seeking answer!” ite
He shook his heat, his uncle pestle as he looked at let,
“No, Madda P’in not engaged, not seeing anyote… exceps you”
She attempted to take in what he had just spoken, but her seseda failed her. She felt foolish for misinterpreting things, fil denize n be here with her. They were scent, tat jacob appeared to be deep in meditation until he suddenly recalled: “And, what about you, MakluTM” he asked softly, bin van curious,
“You uid we’d both be getting miniled soon, but I thought you weren’t planning an Madeline’s face trandiosed as soon as Sebastian’s Martie man said. Ühe pemained silent
How do you know about Sebastian?” she asked slowly,
also be a weird feeling often, it i
Chapter 12–The Guest of Honor
never mentioned his name or anything about him to you so, how do you know?
Jacob’s face softened, a warm smile gracing his lips as he leaned a little closer to her,
“You really don’t remember me, do you?”
Madeline’s thoughts were racing, trying to find his face in her memories, but she was unable to find anything
Jacob took a small step back, his eyes locked on hers.
“You were at my birthday party, a few weeks ago
She had the test hint of recognition on her face, and her eyes widened when it hit her, she remembered that Sebastian had invited her for his birthday dinner. During the evening’s hustle and bustle, she had made small talk with several of his coworkers, including a man she had spoken to briefly but didn’t know well. But the memories clicked as she stood in front of him. Jacob had been present that evening, the guest of honos.
“That was your birthday party?” she asked in disbelief, her mind piecing everything together.
Madeline stared at him, the realization almost too much to process,
“That means. You’re the?” She trailed off and he laughed again, “Yes Maddie, I’m the CEO” he said.
