Page 38 of Blue Collar Billionaire
“From everything I’ve heard it’s the truth.”
Jack knew that Angie had run her mouth about how many women he had dated. But he didn’t want Lexi thinking about that. Ever. “Whatever my sister told you, I’m positive she embellished. She does that.”
“Last time I checked, you were happy that your sister and I get along.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I am happy about that.” He climbed out of his car and clicked his fob to lock the doors. “Where are you?”
Lexi laughed, but the sound wasn’t coming only from his phone. “Right behind you.”
Jack turned around, confronted by the beautiful sight before him. She was absolutely gorgeous, in a sparkly black dress that made her red hair flame. He couldn’t help but gather her up in his arms, spin her around. His whole body felt lighter, just from seeing her. Her kiss was sweet and familiar. Perfect.
“You seem really tense, Jack,” she said when he put her back down on the ground.
If only she knew that seeing her made any tension go away. “I’m just tired.”
“Let’s get you inside and get you a drink. Hopefully that will reenergize you.”
“First, I need to tell you that you look absolutely stunning tonight.” The words felt so inadequate. She was more than beautiful and sexy. She was everything he’d never known he wanted.
“Andyoulook incredibly handsome. But, then again, you always do.” She spread her hand across the lapel of his charcoal gray suit.
Jack smiled at the praise. Having her look at him like that was like being under the gaze of an angel. “Thank you.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love having you with me tonight.”
Lexi beamed up at him. “I love that you asked me.”
A sigh left his lips as he took her hand and they walked up to the wide steps leading up to the Edmond home. Although he appreciated every sweet thing she said, he wanted more. He could admit that to himself. The question was when he could feel good about admitting it to her.
As soon as Lexi and Jack stepped over the threshold of the Edmond home and were greeted by Rusty, she started to feel on edge. She loved Royal, but the pressure in these old money circles, where people came to a party to see and be seen, weighed on her. There was so much judgment and appraisal in the air, everyone trying to outdo each other, and stake their claim in the social pecking order. She may have grown up in this sort of environment, and she may have even thrived in it at times, but in the aftermath of being left at the altar, Lexi had truly learned just how empty and ruthless the trappings of wealth and power could be.
“Jack!” Rusty exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re the man of the hour. I’m so glad you’re here. There are so many people wanting to talk to you tonight. Including some other investors you should have a chat with. I’d also like you to talk to Mandee Meriweather fromRoyal Tonight!She’s doing a big story on the festival. We’ve got to light a fire under the PR machine.”
Jack pulled Lexi closer to his side. “If it’s all the same to you, Rusty, I’d like to first focus on getting Lexi and myself a drink. We both could use it.”
The tycoon smiled. “Oh, yes. Of course. Please help yourselves. I’ll hunt you down in a little bit.”
Lexi couldn’t help but notice that Rusty had hardly acknowledged her. There had been a time when that really would’ve irked her, but she could let it go now. That was really progress for her. “What do you want to drink?” she asked Jack as they approached the bar.
“Rusty always has the best of the best, so I’ll definitely go for a bourbon. What do you want, sweetheart?”
Lexi was about to tell Jack that she wanted champagne, but she first had to address something else.“Sweetheart?”
“What?” Confusion clouded his expression. “Does it bother you that I called you that?”
Lexi enjoyed the expression of affection, but he’d made an unfortunate choice. “I think it’s sweet that you want to call me that, but that’s the endearment Roger used for me. So, it doesn’t feel great to hear it.”
Jack’s face immediately fell. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You couldn’t have. It’s okay. It was still such a sweet thing to say.” She hated the thought of hurting Jack’s feelings.
“I’ll think of something better, okay?”
Lexi pulled him closer as they stepped up to the bar. “Perfect.”
Jack ordered their drinks, and they walked over to a relatively quiet corner. The room was packed with people milling around, conversation and music steadily gaining volume. “I don’t know how much of this I can take,” Jack said.
“But you’re the man of the hour.”
“That’s just an excuse for Rusty to hype the festival.”
