“Never known you to be so tongue-tied, babe,” Hugh responded, breaking into her thoughts.
Jessie blinked, refocusing on Hugh. “I’m shocked. I didn’t know you were coming.”
Hugh grinned broadly. “I wanted to surprise you. I know it’s been tough the last few years with our long-distance relationship, so I was trying to make an effort.”
Jessie forced a smile. “I appreciate that.”
“Do you? Because I could do with a better greeting after not seeing each other for months.” Hugh wrapped her in his embrace and planted a long kiss on Jessie’s lips, but all she could think about was the anger etched on Ryan’s features as he’d departed.
* * *
Would he ever learn? Ryan wondered as he stared at Hugh and Jessie from across the ballroom. Hugh was in his element with a crowd of their Falling Brook prepsters flocked around him, Jessie standing by his side like an adoring girlfriend.
Of course, she hadn’t been so adoring moments before Hugh’s arrival...
When he’d looked at her, Ryan had been entranced by the bow of her slightly parted mouth, by her slender throat and the gentle swell of her breasts. Jessie had made his breath catch and he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her. Warning bells should have sounded in his head the minute she’d looked at him the way a woman looked at a man—him—like she wanted him to kiss her. He’d taken full advantage of her desire for him, sweeping Jessie into his arms and showing her just how good they could be together. He knew what he wanted and it seemed Jessie had finally, truly, seen him.
Not as a friend.
But as a man.
A man she wanted.
Had he mistaken the signs that she was interested?
Surely not, Ryan wasn’t a novice when it came to women. He’d read Jessie’s body language. The way she’d leaned into him, pressed her small but firm breasts against him, which had caused him to nearly erupt.
Ryan had had a crush on Jessie since he was six years old when she’d moved to Sycamore Street with her parents and brother, Pete Jr. The Hathaways and Acostas had been close neighbors once. Their fathers had played golf at this very same country club, while their moms had volunteered at the prep school. Both families had often met up at soccer games to see Ryan’s two older brothers, Ben and Sean, or Pete Jr. play soccer.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Jessie had shared an easy rapport, often spending hours in each other’s company, hanging out at one of their homes playing video games or riding their bicycles to the town square for ice cream. But Jessie had never seen Ryan as anything other than a friend. The situation had only worsened after Black Crescent’s hedge fund tanked, leaving the Acosta family as collateral damage in its wake. Adversity hadn’t brought him and Jessie closer. Instead, they’d grown further apart.
“Are you all right, Ryan?” one of their classmates asked. “You look like you’re ready to blow your lid.”
Ryan inhaled deeply and schooled his expression. “Sorry. I was deep in thought about a deal I’ve got going.”
“Are you sure?” the man inquired. “Because your deadly glare was aimed at Hugh over there.” He inclined his head toward the man of the hour.
Everyone was fawning all over Hugh and, while Ryan hated to admit it, he was jealous. He had to let go of the notion that he and Jessie would ever be together. Time and time again, he’d watched her choose Hugh over him and tonight had been no different. He needed to move on with his life for good this time. The time for looking back on what might have been was gone.
“Yeah. I’m good,” Ryan replied. “I’m going to cut out, it’s been a long night and I’ve seen all I need to see.” Ryan turned on his heel and walked out of the ballroom toward the valet. Regardless of the kiss he and Jessie almost shared, they were over. He wasn’t willing to play second fiddle to any man and certainly not Hugh O’Malley. One day he would find the woman meant for him. She certainly wasn’t in this ballroom.
* * *
“Babe, I’m so happy I came,” Hugh said after the crowd surrounding them dissipated, leaving him and Jessie alone. He swept her into his arms, but when he bent to kiss her, Jessie turned her head to the side. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What’s wrong?”
Her lips twisted in a cynical smile. “What’s wrong? Really, Hugh? You didn’t even tell me you were coming and I’m supposed to welcome you with open arms?”
His blue eyes regarded her warily. “Actually, yeah, that’s what I thought. Excuse me if I thought you might be happy to see me.”
Jessie sighed. She should be happy to see him, but her reaction to Ryan tonight was a problem. She turned away from Hugh and walked swiftly toward the covered terrace. The committee had bedecked it with string lights and balloons. Since the night air held a chill, heaters had been strategically placed around the terrace.
Hugh followed her, catching up in two quick strides, and spun her around. “Jessie, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She looked down at the floor.
“We may have been apart for a while, but I can tell when you have something on your mind. What is it?”
After almost kissing Ryan, Jessie realized she was done with playing the “perfect couple.” She was tired of living up to everyone’s expectations. She knew her parents thought they would get married; expected her to be the dutiful daughter she’d always been. But Jessie didn’t think so. If she and Hugh were meant to be, there was no way Jessie would have had such an intense and passionate encounter with Ryan. She had to do the right thing and end their relationship.