LITMIR.BIZ

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It wasn’t like she didn’t have plenty to do.

      The waiters started to circulate throughout the ballroom with fresh trays of champagne while staff informed guests throughout the house that it was almost time for the midnight unveiling. Jasmine had been so looking forward to this part of the night. That romantic moment when masks were discarded, when the true person behind the mask was revealed.

      Even though she and Royce recognized each other behind their masks, she’d still looked forward to meeting his gaze in that moment.

      Now the last thing she wanted was to look at Royce without the protection of her mask hiding her expression.

      She saw his sandy-blond head as he entered the ballroom. Even from this distance, she knew he was looking for her. And she couldn’t handle it. She simply couldn’t.

      As she backed slowly away, her hand made contact with the wall behind her. That’s when she realized the panel where she stood was actually the door to the private ladies’ alcove. She hadn’t revealed the existence of the little room to the guests. Jasmine took a quick look around to see if anyone was watching, but they’d all turned their attention to the MC preparing the crowd for the pinnacle of the evening. So she opened the door and slipped inside.

      Only seconds after she’d quietly closed the door, her phone vibrated. It was her sister.

      “Ivy, where are you?” she whispered frantically.

      It wasn’t as if there was anyone in the room to hear her, but she couldn’t help it. Her rapidly beating heart felt as if it was calling out across the room. What if Royce found her here?

      She wasn’t sure she could face him.

      “I’m so sorry, Jasmine,” her sister said from the other end of the line. “I left.”

      “You what?”

      “I left...with someone.”

      Even though Jasmine should have been questioning her sister or concerned for her safety, she could only respond with panic over her absence. “I need your help. Right now.”

      “I’m on my way to Paxton’s apartment.”

      “What?” Oh, that was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

      “I just... I want this, Jasmine.”

      “Please don’t. I’m telling you, Ivy. This is not a good choice.” Jasmine knew that for certain. Now more than ever.

      “But it’s my choice,” Ivy said softly. “And I’m going to make it.”

      “Ivy!” Jasmine cried, but her sister had already hung up. “Damn it.”

      Why wouldn’t her little sister listen to her? She was getting her own heart broken over a client right now. She knew just how dangerous those working relationships could be.

      But Ivy, as the youngest, had been trying to prove she wasn’t a child for a while now. This act of rebellion might end up costing her more than her job.

      As the sounds of a trumpet heralded the coming of midnight in the ballroom, Jasmine quickly gathered her purse and keys, a plan forming in her mind. She’d slip from the room while everyone was distracted and make her way to her car. She could send Ivy back to Keller House for the rest of her stuff tomorrow.

      Right now, she just needed out.

      Away from the fairy tale she’d thought was happening and home to the day-to-day drudgery and chaos that was her life. She’d find magic again, someday, but she’d learned her lesson. Never date a client. Never get so close you think you’re seeing behind the facade, only to learn the facade had been the reality all along.

      Time to go.

      Desperate to get away, Jasmine jerked the door open, only to find herself face-to-face with the one man she never wanted to see again. Well, maybe he wasn’t the only one. She’d be happy never to see his father again, either.

      “Jasmine, where have you been?” Royce’s hard business tone scraped over her nerves.

      “I could ask you the same thing,” she choked out.

      “What are you talking about?” He frowned. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

      “Why?” A small spark of her normal sassiness finally made an appearance. “Are you unhappy with my service in some way?”

      “What?”

      She shook her head, grief overwhelming that tiny spark.

      “Jasmine, what is it?”

      The words simply wouldn’t come. She had no idea whether to lay into him, scream and cry, or simply skulk away from the humiliation of knowing he’d lied to her. Granted, he hadn’t turned into some kind of super-involved family guy. If anything, at times he’d seemed lost.

      But he hadn’t retreated, hadn’t rejected Rosie completely. And he’d made love to Jasmine with a passion she’d never experienced before and hadn’t been strictly business outside of the bedroom. Memories of him holding Rosie at the hospital, helping them get Auntie taken care of, talking about his mother’s death...he’d opened himself up to her and her family.

      Had the confrontation with his father washed all of that away?

      I have never let anything stand in the way of my success. I’m not about to start now. No. She wasn’t strong enough to find out.

      Around them the crowd erupted in applause. The lights dimmed for a moment, then the orchestra struck up a lively tune. But Jasmine and Royce remained frozen in their silent battle. Without permission, Royce reached up to touch the mask she’d had made to match her dress. His other hand found the ties at the back of her head.

      He was so close, his touch so intimate, that she was transported back to the night before, when he’d shown her in no uncertain terms just how much he enjoyed her. Only now, their encounter felt dirty, tainted by motives she could only guess at.

      It wasn’t until the strings came loose and Royce pulled the mask away that Jasmine felt the tears spill onto her cheeks. Royce’s eyes widened and what looked like panic washed over his expression. But all Jasmine could feel was the humiliation of knowing she was crying over a man who would walk away from her whenever business demanded.

      So she walked away first and didn’t look back.

      * * *

      Royce looked down at the paper Matthew had handed him and cursed. Jasmine’s final invoice.

      She hadn’t wasted any time. It had only been three days since the masquerade. Three days in which she wouldn’t return his phone calls or text messages. He’d even gone by the house once. Auntie had answered the door, holding Rosie, only to tell him that Jasmine wasn’t home. From her worried expression, he assumed she was telling him the truth.

      But she’d also refused to tell him anything else.

      He’d learned nothing about what had upset Jasmine that night, though he suspected it had something to do with his father’s visit. As far as he could tell, they hadn’t spoken to each other alone. She could have overheard something, but what?

      Royce was an astute businessman, but when it came to women, especially upset women, he was more than a little lost. He’d have given anything to have his mother there so he could ask her advice. Did he confront Jasmine? Leave her to stew for a while? What?

      “I just don’t understand, Matthew,” he said, more as a way to express his frustration than anything.

      “I know. She was perfect for you.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Matthew must have realized what he’d said, because his assistant’s eyes went wide and worried.

      “You’re right. She is.”

      Matthew started to shake his head and back away. He was probably wondering where the heck his real boss had gone.

      Royce

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