Jimmy reluctantly dressed to go out on Saturday night. The week before he sailed with his friends. Shorts and a tee shirt were a lot more comfortable than a suit for the sixth day in a row. People in his office probably thought he only owned tailored suits and tuxedos. Days he worked from home he liked to be comfortable which was why he didn't have to change when Ivy invited him to join them on the boat.

There was only one silver lining about the Bates's party. Tate. His night would be worth it if he could hold her in his arms for the length of one song. Looking in the mirror he decided his collar was perfect and the cowlick in his hair tamed enough. He wasn't a sixteen-year-old kid anymore, but he would keep an eye on Tate. Baxter had said something about a date for her, but she had brushed it off.

Tate was too young when he was sixteen. As Tate matured Jimmy promised Baxter to look out for his sister, because both he and Tate attended the same private school while Baxter was at North Hills Academy playing baseball.

Jimmy took his role seriously, and found dating her friend was the easiest way to protect her from horny boys, himself included. At eighteen, it didn't take much for a guy to like a girl - nice tits and ass with a pretty face. At their school, it helped to find a girl who wasn't a spoiled brat and Sheridan was not. Usually. Both she and Tate were the sweetest girls in the sophomore class.

"Sir, is something wrong? You are frowning?"

Jimmy shook his head as usual Charles stood at the bottom of the stairs as he descended. Old memories which he needed to push away. Only happy thoughts, he reminded himself.

Jimmy arrived before the Kanes. He forced himself to greet Mr. and Mrs. Bates. Senior patted his back. "You're a member of the Bates Financial family now."

Smiling, he nodded distractedly, when he looked out he saw her looking beautiful. Refocusing he discussed the stock market with Bates until another guest pulled him away. He said hello to a few other people and went for another scotch, losing sight of Tate.

Tom Olson found him and extended his hand. He trusted him to handle his most sensitive deals. Jimmy could single-handedly propel Olson into a partnership, even without his connections. If he weren't related to Walsh, Jimmy would poach him to work for Sinclair directly. Maybe he would try anyway.

"I'm glad to see another person I know."

Jimmy laughed. "I wish I didn't know about fifty percent of them."

Their conversation digressed to baseball, a sport Jimmy didn't have time to watch, but kept up with the team enough to have an exchange. Ivy could talk about baseball. It was probably foreplay for her and Baxter. Based on the sluggishness of their conversation, he suspected Tom didn't watch much either.

"Guilty. I work five days non-stop so I can enjoy my weekend."

"I work six days so I can enjoy my weekend." He smiled as Tate approached.

It became clear Tom was the guy, but Jimmy pushed him out of the way. Truthfully, he was a good guy and Tate could do a lot worse. She had done much worse.

Grabbing her hand, he tugged. "Dance with me, please." He held his breath as she looked at him, before she nodded.

Once in his arms, he pulled her close. He wasn't her brother and didn't intend to dance with her like one. "What do you say we get out of here?" She threw her head back and laughed. He whispered, "I mean it. I would rather do anything with you."

She looked up at him "Anything?" He swallowed the lump in his throat. She tugged on the hair above his collar. "How about a movie?"

"Go to the movie theater dressed like this?"

She laughed. "Stream one. Eat popcorn. Relax."

"You don't have to twist my arm. I'd watch a cartoon."

"Have you seen Encanto?"

"En-what-o?"

She laughed, and his dick woke up. "We can skip the cartoon." She bit her lip. "Where? I can't eat popcorn in my dress."

Jimmy would like to unzip her dress. "I like your dress." His hand moved to the soft skin on her back. He marveled at how it stayed up without straps. Hell, he had been wondering about those dresses since he was old enough to get hard at the thought of soft and creamy mounds of delight.

"This old thing." She laughed.

Jimmy felt helpless with her in his arms. He had danced half the night with Candace and had felt very little. Unfortunately, he needed her until Shaun settled her messy divorce. Pressing on his mind was getting Shaun to stay in Dover. She was as stubborn as he was determined.

"You're frowning."

He hadn't realized Tate was looking up at him. He smiled down at her plump pink lips. "Sorry, I was thinking of my cousin. I wish. I." He shook his head. He wished he could bring Tate to Dover, but his family would read way too much into it. The last time he introduced a girl to his parents, he was eighteen.

"You're frowning again."

"You definitely don't want to know." The song ended, and he reluctantly stepped back. "If we dance again rumors will fly. I doubt you want that."

She laughed. "Me. I don't have a girlfriend."

He shook his head. "She's not a girlfriend. I see her once a month."

"You think it doesn't matter? If I asked her, she's probably dreaming of a ring."

He frowned once more, but it had nothing to do with Candace. Tate's lips caused his frown. She would never let him taste them. He couldn't get rid of Candace until Shaun's divorce was final.

"Did you want to go?"

She nodded. "I have to say goodbye to my mother."

"I haven't greeted her this evening."

They found Amelia Kane in the house with a group of women she chaired events with. When she saw Tate she smiled. "Darling. Say hello to everyone."

"Hello. I'm sure you're getting ready for autumn. It's always busy."

"We are, dear. We could always use some young energetic hands."

She smiled. "My brother keeps me much too busy working. Mother, maybe Ivy would be interested in joining a cause."

Jimmy watched as Amelia's jaw tensed. It was subtle, but unmistakable. He added, "She would be amazing."

"Isn't she working non stop too at Martin, Walsh and Blum?"

"She works for the firm?" A pleasant woman smiled. "Tate, I heard you've met our Rose."

She smiled. "I have, Mrs. Walsh. She is very sweet. Mother, I'm tired. Jimmy has offered me a ride."

"Yes, I have another engagement, so I must move on. I had to say hello first." He leaned in and kissed her soft cheek. Her scent was powdery, very different from her daughters.

"You're a good boy, Jimmy." She patted his cheek as the heat rose.

He turned to Tate. "Come on. I'll drop you on my way across town. Good evening, ladies."

Once in the car, he sighed. "I don't trust any of them."

"Mrs. Walsh was nice."

"Your mother needs to accept Ivy. I sought revenge for less than that."

"You wouldn't?" Her face paled.

"No, I would never hurt your family."

"Glad to see you draw the line somewhere."

He felt her comment like a jab to his heart. "Do you really think I am that ruthless?"

She frowned. "In business. I know the truth about you."

"The truth," he cocked his eyebrow.

She laughed a breathy sigh. "Yes, I've seen you cry."

He felt the black cloud settle over his head. "I'll admit I cried when I lost my uncle. But that's not what you're referring to. Just say the word and we'll have that talk, but it's full in or off limits. I can't deal with half ass comments."

"Sorry." A tear dropped down her cheek. "I didn't mean to. I don't want to."

"Do me a favor and let me know when you want to. I'm the one with the headache." He looked past her as she shivered. "Georgie, after we drop Ms. Tate off, take me to Chestnut Street. I'm in for the night."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Sinclair."

"Jimmy. I'm sorry."

She put her hand on his arm. The heat of her touch was like activating a crystal ball in his head. Visions of her with swollen lips and aroused eyes. He shut his eyes trying to block the memory.

"I know, Tate. I'm not angry. There is no point pretending we are just friends when we have a wall between us. Say the word and we'll knock down the barrier."

"And then what? We are friends who can share a bowl of popcorn. Or maybe we share an occasional piece of cake. It doesn't matter."

"But it does. Neither of us have recovered. Plus, I like sharing cake with you."

Her face was too flush to blush. "The problem is we want very different things. You're good for a few slices, maybe a whole cake, but I want the bakery."

"The bakery?"

"Yeah. I want the wedding I never had, and a life partner with a couple of kids. You want none of that."

Jimmy sat stunned. "It doesn't matter because you aren't willing to trust me."

She sighed. "Let's focus on being friends. With Baxter and Ivy we'll never be able to avoid each other like we have in the past. Goodnight, Jimmy."

She jumped out of the car before Georgie could walk around and open her door. Once back in the driver's seat, Georgie said, "She's a beautiful, spirited young woman."

"Yes, she is." She was a lot more, but Jimmy feared she would never be his.

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