Tate tossed and turned unable to fall asleep. Regret ran through her because she wasn't falling asleep in Jimmy's arms. The last thing she needed was Jimmy skulking away with her siblings in the hotel. She could text him and tell him she changed her mind. The problem was it would feel wonderful until it didn't. She was cursed because he would never love her the way she loved him.

A long time ago, she fantasized about living with Jimmy in his beautiful home. They were the dreams of a girl. She remembered how she cried when Jimmy asked Sheridan out. At the time, she was too immature to see they were years away from happily ever after. Even if the unthinkable hadn't happened. A kiss at sixteen never would have led to forever, but a stupid piece of jewelry had sealed him in her heart. No one else compared, not even the man she had eagerly wanted to marry.

Blurry eyed, she joined the others for breakfast. She made Kasper move next to Jimmy claiming she wanted to sit next to the bride.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." She ignored the amusement in his eyes.

"Shut up, Jimmy. Some of us aren't naturally beautiful first thing in the morning."

Doyle huffed. "I don't remember you two ever getting along."

Ivy begged, "Please don't fight. For me. For our wedding."

"I promise." Jimmy put his hand on his heart. His face could sell a steak to a vegan.

"Me too." She looked around the table. "We should discuss our travel arrangements." Tate already regretted being so agreeable the night before. Blame it on the pheromones.

Baxter chuckled. "We already mixed it up. Jimmy is hosting the singles. Me, Ivy, Joe and Freya are going in our plane."

She looked around at the nodding group. Refusing to be the lone dissenter, she forced a smile. "Well, okay then."

Six hours in a confined space with Jimmy, maybe she would sleep. Everyone else looked well rested, even the couples. She focused on her coffee and let the others talk. Every time she looked up, Jimmy was watching her. She couldn't go back to avoiding him with the wedding just weeks away.

On the plane, they settled into the comfortable seats. Tate had never been on the Sinclair jet before, but it was bigger. Tate smiled when Hudson sat next to her.

The handsome man smiled back. "I hardly caught up with you this weekend. You sure have grown up since you used to come to Baxter's games."

"It's been more than a few years. What are you doing with your life?"

"I washed out in the minor leagues and went back to school. Now I wear a lab coat and make artificial hearts."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. It's never dull. The day ticks by."

Tate laughed, drawing attention to them. Jimmy was the only one not smiling. She glared at him which caused him to sigh. "I'm funding a prosthetics company. The science is amazing."

Doyle joined in. "People will live forever."

"Forever might be a problem. We'll overpopulate the earth and not have enough food." Kasper looked bored with his own lecture.

One by one people took out books or devices. Jimmy was first to boot up a laptop. Tate put on music and shut her eyes. When she woke up, her head was resting on a broad shoulder. It wasn't Hudson who sat across from her with Dean. Her nose identified the owner. The deep breathing in her ear had her trapped. Her head supported his head.

Kasper walked by and winked at her. "Doyle took a picture. She's calling it War and Peace."

Tate rolled her eyes. She needed the bathroom, but Jimmy's head would fall. Instead, she reached up and touched his cheek, gently patting it. He turned into her, trapping her with his arm as he pulled her close.

Kasper giggled. "He thinks you're his latest companion."

"Seriously." If he was seeing someone, she would injure his balls. She shook his arm. "Hey, Sinclair, wake up."

"Huh! What?" He sat up. "Sorry Tate."

"I need to get up." She stood and turned to see Jimmy stretching.

His shirt stretched across his chest but lifted out of his waistband showing his navel. Golden skin and a light line of hair. Her mind instantly filled in the hidden pieces. He was beautiful with and without clothing. Maybe she shouldn't have said no.

Doyle looked too. "Jimmy, you are kind of hot for a business guy. Let me guess. No tats?"

He laughed at Doyle. "No ink on me."

"Spill the stag party secrets. Kasper mentioned a companion. Who are you seeing?"

"No one. I took an employee to a few events, but it was business."

Tate listened. She knew about Romy.

"Seriously? You must be getting your uptight frustration out somewhere."

"I work out. I haven't hooked up in two years."

"Two years. Man, you're a monk."

"Close to it. Anyone I've dated since then was all business, no sex. I'm sure the rest of you hook up all the time."

Dean laughed. "With two kids, I'm lucky for once a week."

Doyle said, "Hudson must he's hot. Kasper hasn't since he became a sex symbol. Ironic right. I'm between guys. Then there is Tate, she hasn't since little Dunc."

Jimmy laughed. "Little Dunc. Is the name accurate Tate?"

She shrugged. Compared to Jimmy it was. "This is an inappropriate conversation."

Kasper shook his head. "Dani, you're quiet over there."

"I agree with Tate. Inappropriate. You are an executive at the company I work for."

"Technically."

"Maybe you should use your qualifications to help your brother."

"In a few years. I've decided I'm doing the new show."

Doyle laughed. "Mother will kill you."

Tate shook her head and went to the bathroom. When she came out, she went to the galley. "Can I help you, Miss?"

"I was looking for some water."

"I'll bring it out to you."

She walked back out. "Jimmy, do you always travel with a flight attendant?"

He nodded. "I offer full service when I rent the plane."

Tate's water arrived in a glass. "Mr. Sinclair, we have an hour. Would you like a drink?"

"Just water. Anyone else."

Kasper smiled. "I'll have a scotch."

The other men wanted Jimmy's scotch too. He smiled. "Tate, sit back down and relax. I promise I won't fall asleep and drool on you."

"The great James Sinclair drool, I doubt it."

"You know I'm human just like you."

"Too bad you don't get along. You would make a cute couple."

"Doyle!" Tate could imagine Jimmy wanting anything more than a slice of cake when it suited him.

"Seriously, you are tall enough for him. You are both beautiful, according to my artistic eye."

Tate signed. "I liked the all girls plane better."

To make matters worse, Baxter organized cars when his plane taxied in a few minutes after Jimmy's. Tate and Dani were in Jimmy's car. After the driver dropped Dani off, Tate felt Jimmy's presence.

"Tate, I'm sorry about last night. Someday when you're ready, we'll talk about that night. All of it, then we'll figure out if you're cursed."

What did he mean by figure out?

He continued. "Let's get through the wedding with another truce."

"Fine. Truce." She stuck out her hand.

He winked. "I'd rather kiss on it."

She sighed and offered her cheek. His hand turned her face so his lips landed on hers. She was powerless to stop the gentle kiss. It was as if he offered his soul to her.

With his lips a whisper away, he said, "I might have said truce, but I still want to kiss you."

"You confuse me."

He laughed. "I confuse myself. Remember, we will dance at the wedding. Looks like we're here."

Tate ran up her walk as the driver followed with her bags. "Goodnight, Miss."

"Goodnight." It wasn't Georgie.

Tate locked her apartment door and sighed. She was so confused, but had no one to talk to. She didn't trust Doyle and Ivy would tell Baxter. Maybe Dani, but her loyalty was to Baxter. Even on the plane she reminded them she was an employee.

The next day, Tate buried herself in work. She looked up at a knock on her door. Eleanor, the legal department's secretary, had been with Kane forever. She was Ivy's friend even though she was almost sixty.

She handed Tate a piece of candy. "Thanks. Just like when we were kids.'

"What's wrong? I thought your weekend would cheer you up."

"It did. Have you ever been in love? Of course, you were married."

Eleanor closed her door and sat down. "I would still be married if I had truly loved my husband. I thought I did, but not enough. Not like the love I experienced when I was younger."

"Was it the kind that filled your heart and made you feel whole?"

"Yes. Your young man on the TV?"

"No. It wasn't real. Like you described."

"So you love someone else. Does he love you?"

"I doubt it." She sighed. "Do you know about the Kane Cross?"

She nodded. "Ivy told me about it. You kissed him with the cross on?"

"Yes. Now I'm afraid I'll never find love."

"Everyone loves you. Ivy loved Baxter. Maybe your young man will realize he loves you."

She nodded. "My father married my mother at thirty-five. Although he wore the cross for years. He told me I'll find someone I care about enough." Eleanor frowned. "Is it wrong of me to want more?"

"No. My advice is to be honest with him. Let him know you love him. Then let him decide if he feels the same. Men have trouble seeing the forest through the trees. Maybe in your case, he'll see the perfect tree in the vast forest."

"The tree thing is true."

"That's just my advice. You do what's right for you but don't wait too long. You don't want to run to the chapel to yell out that you object."

"Oh no. The problem is, he might never marry."

"He might change his mind if he knows you love him."

"Maybe. I have a lot to think about. Thanks."

"Anytime."

"Eleanor, please don't tell anyone."

She put her hand over her heart. "I promise as if you were my daughter."

Eleanor's plan could work, but Jimmy already made his demands. Tate survived by not talking about that night.

Thanks for voting ⭐️