“I like your office, Mr. Sutton. It’s so big.”

I sighed. “Thank you, Hope.”

“Hope, leave Mr. Sutton alone. Sorry, Jack. I’m heading to lunch now,” Lorelei spoke.

“No need to apologize. Enjoy your lunch.”

“Can Mr. Sutton come with us?” Hope asked as she took hold of Lorelei’s hand.

“No, Hope.”

“Why?” She looked up at her.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have a meeting to attend. Maybe another time, Hope.”

“Okay.”

Before walking out of my office, Hope turned her head and looked at me over her shoulder. “It was nice to see you again.” She smiled as she gave me a small wave.

“It was nice to see you too.” I leaned back in my chair and watched them leave.

She was the spitting image of Lorelei and she even had the same smile as she did. Even though I was still hurt by Lorelei for not telling me she had a daughter, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Especially at night.

“Who was that little girl with Lorelei?” Coco asked as she walked into my office.

“That would be Hope, Lorelei’s daughter.”

“Excuse me?” She sat down across from my desk.

“Her daughter.”

“I didn’t know she had a daughter.”

“I didn’t either until a few days ago,” I spoke.

She narrowed her eye at me as she chewed on her bottom lip. “What’s wrong? I can tell something’s bothering you.”

“Nothing,” I replied.

“Shit, Jack.” She shook her head. “You slept with her.”

I looked down, picked up a paperclip from my desk, and began playing with it.

“Yep. I did. I made a horrible mistake.”

Coco arched her brow. “You’ve never said you made a mistake sleeping with a woman.” She paused for a moment when I looked up at her. “Oh no, Jack. You have feelings for her, don’t you?”

“It doesn’t matter if I do. I can’t get involved with her.”

“Why? Because she has a child?”

“Yes, Coco.”

“Why? I don’t understand.”

“Because children ruin relationships. You of all people should know that.”

“Huh?” she asked in confusion. “Is that the reason you aren’t fond of children?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

Coco’s phone rang. “I have to go and take this call. We’ll talk about this again. But if you want my honest opinion, I think Lorelei is exactly what you need, regardless if she has a kid or not. I’ll see you tonight at the launch party.”

I picked up my phone and sent a text message to Isla.

“I will pick you up tonight at six thirty.”

“I’ll be ready and waiting for you, Jack. I bought the most spectacular Valentino dress. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

As I set my phone down, Lorelei walked in with my coffee.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

As she started to walk away, I spoke, “How was your lunch?”

“It was nice.”

“Good. By the way, you may leave at four o’clock today.”

“Really?” she asked in surprise.

“I want to make sure you have plenty of time to get ready for the launch party tonight.”

“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Just make sure you have those corrections done before you leave.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lorelei

“Thanks again for picking up Hope from school today,” I spoke as I swept a gray color of eyeshadow across my eye.

“No problem. I told you that Sebastian and I could babysit her tonight while you’re at the launch party.”

“I know, but my mom and Nick are really looking forward to it. In fact, they should be here soon.”

After painting my face and pinning up the sides of my hair while the rest of it fell over my shoulder in curls, I slipped into the red wine-colored dress I made.

“Well?” I turned around and faced Stella.

“You’re going to make every cock in that damn place spring up to action. It’s gorgeous.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

“So are you and Jack being civilized to one another now?”

Walking into the bathroom, I picked up a tube of my wine-colored lipstick and swept it across my lips. “I guess. To be honest, he’s been okay the past few days. But I still miss him, if you know what I mean.”

“You don’t need someone like him, Lorelei.”

“You’re right. I don’t. I don’t need anyone because I will never get that close to someone again.”

“Now don’t say shit like that. You’ll meet the man of your dreams sooner or later.”

Walking out of the bathroom, I slipped my feet into a pair of silver rhinestone heels.

“I thought I already did, twice, and look what happened. One was killed and the other hates me for having a kid.”

She fell back on the bed and then sat up on her elbows.

“Jack Sutton isn’t the man of your dreams. You had sex with him, so you thought he was. We’re women. We get emotionally involved at the first sign of a man paying attention to us.”

“I liked him first and that’s why I chose to have sex with him.”

****

Walking into the Lincoln Center, I smiled. So far, everything looked perfect and I prayed that I pulled this off flawlessly. I spotted Coco talking to Garrett and, when she saw me, her mouth dropped.

“You look amazing. Oh my God. Is this another Lorelei original?” she asked as she walked around me, checking me out from head to toe.

“Yes it is and thank you.”

“You look gorgeous, Lorelei.” Garrett smiled as he kissed my cheek.

“Thank you.”

Coco’s hand reached out and lightly touched my dress. “I love the strapless look and the way you notched the sweetheart neckline. Look at these seams and the way the bottom slightly flares out. It’s like a mermaid style but not quite. This is gorgeous, Lorelei. You really need to show off your work more. You’re very talented.”

“Thank you, Coco.”

When I glanced over to my left, my stomach fell at the sight of Jack with his hand on some brunette’s back. Coco noticed my reaction and put her arm around me, turning me the other way.

“Ignore him, Lorelei. He’s a manwhore and not worthy of you or your attention. He told me you two slept together and he told me about your daughter.”

I looked down in shame.

“Listen to me. You put this whole launch party together and you should be proud. Hold your head up high and let everyone know exactly who you are. Don’t let my brother ruin your night just because he decided to bring a skank with him. There are plenty of eligible hot and sexy men here that would love to get to know you.”

“I won’t let him ruin my night, and as for men, I’m not interested. I made a mistake where your brother is concerned and I won’t make that same mistake again.”

“Sweetie, don’t let one rotten fish spoil the rest of the ocean for you.” She winked.

“Oh, there’s Vidal.” She grabbed my hand and led me over to him.

“Vidal, darling.” She kissed both his cheeks.

He looked at me and then at my dress. “Lorelei, that dress is classic. Who is it?” he asked.

“Thank you. I made it.”

His brow raised as he looked over at Coco.

“You designed and made this dress yourself?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Fabulous. I didn’t know you designed.”

“It’s something I do in my spare time.”

He waved his hand in front of his face. “Working for Jack, I’m surprised you have any spare time at all.”

“She also has a daughter,” Coco spoke.

“Oh? I bet she’s just as beautiful as her mommy. Do you have a picture?”

I pulled my phone from my clutch and showed him a picture of Hope.

“Spitting image. She’s gorgeous, Lorelei.”

“Thank you, Vidal.”

“Her daddy is one lucky man to have two beautiful women in his life.”

I pursed my lips together. “Her father was killed before she was born.”

He placed his hand on my arm. “I’m so sorry. Me and my big mouth.”

“Don’t apologize. You couldn’t have known.”

“Well, anyway, I need to catch up with Kit. I will talk to both of you beauties later. Lorelei, we should collaborate some time.”