Chapter 7

Jessa

I was afraid of the social backlash I'd face as soon as I got out of bed. Robert had not taken our break-up well, and I was sure he'd spread at least a dozen rumors about me over the last four days. Even that did not dim the fact that I was free.

It felt amazing to wake up with a smile. My maid had already delivered a tray with French press coffee and a bowl of fruit. I ate it with relish and wondered what exactly I should do with my new-found freedom.

My life was simple and leisurely by any standard, but it had always felt regimented and controlled to me. The latest diet trends formed my meals. Fashion designers dictated what someone of my status should wear. The social calendar planned my days.

The only decision I had made for myself was dumping Robert.

I stood in my vast closet and felt rebellion burning in my chest like a lit fuse. Why couldn't I mix designers and create something new? My fingers trembled with joy as I mixed and matched my carefully curated pieces and created an outfit that felt new and fresh.

When I faced the mirror, it was hard to see anything but my own wide smile.

Normally I knotted my long hair into a classic bun or carefully tucked chignon. It took forever to brush it out every night and twist it into a smooth braid. I shook it out and marveled at its softness and shine. Maybe today I'd wear it loose like I hadn't dared since grade school. I wanted to feel the wild strands brushing against my face as I went about my day.

On a typical day, I ordered Jeffers to take me to a favored boutique or design house. As a Lauren, I was expected to stay on top of all that was trendy and new and the majority of each morning was spent seeking out things that would make the other women in my social set jealous. To not be seen by eleven o'clock would automatically start rumors that I was ill or having an illicit affair.

I lounged in my mother's beautiful rose garden, soaking up the sun that I normally avoided, and hoped people would think I was having an affair. There was already enough of a scandal with my broken engagement, why not let it go farther?

By lunch, my household staff was nervous and hovered around in the periphery wondering if maybe I was on the verge of a breakdown. I finally gave them peace of mind by ordering Jeffers to bring the car around.

"Luncheon at the Fairmount?" Jeffers asked. His even tone made it more of a stated fact than a question.

"Not today. How about you just drop me off at the Embarcadero," I suggested.

The limousine slowed as Jeffers' foot slipped off the gas pedal. He gave me one incredulous look in the rear view mirror and then caught himself. He dropped me off on the sunny walkway near the Bay Bridge and gave the long, steep street to my father's office a worried look.

"Don't worry. I'm fine," I told him.

Who could blame me for wanting to enjoy the beautiful day?

Still, the shadows cast by the skyscrapers in the Financial District called me, and I soon found myself strolling towards my father's office. It was invigorating to share the sidewalk with the throngs of businesspeople hurrying to their jobs.

When my phone rang, I imagined I was just like the stockbrokers rushing along as they barked numbers into their phones.

"You've gone crazy," Karina said.

I laughed. "Hello and good morning to you too."

"Not only did you miss espresso at Saks, but now I hear you're walking the streets. Is it really that bad?" my best friend asked.

"It's really that good. Hey, instead of a fancy luncheon, how about we try something fun?" I asked.

Karina giggled. "You know I'm always in for fun. What does my single friend have in mind?"

"Have you ever eaten at a taco truck?"

Karina's sleek town car dropped her off minutes later, and she jumped out with a broad smile. "I almost didn't recognize you. You look fabulous!"

I let her coo over my choice of outfit and loose hair but fended off her questions. Karina had stayed at my mansion the rest of the night after my break-up, but she knew she wasn't getting the full story.

"Robert's a jerk, and that's that," I said.

We found a sunny spot on a low wall across the street from my father's office building and unwrapped our tacos. Karina laughed as I fumbled with the unfamiliar street food, but she wouldn't be deterred.

"I know something else is going on. You've been acting funny since the beginning of October. Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" Karina asked.

"Guess." I couldn’t contain the smirk forming on my lips.

She studied my face, and her eyes widened. "Are you falling in love?"

I gave a breathless yelp. "Love? That's a pretty big leap. I just broke off my engagement, remember?"

Then I stiffened. A big white truck rattled up across the street and bumped onto the sidewalk in front of my father's office building. Dayton jumped out and strode up the front steps.

Karina waved her taco in front of my face and demanded, "who is that?"

"I don't know, the foreman or something," I said weakly.

Karina snorted and squinted across the street. Dayton was calling up to the men in the scaffolding and though they dangled off the building they stopped and nodded. He then marched back down the steps and directed two trucks up to where another crew awaited his command to unload.

"Well, he's certainly in charge," Karina said.

We watched, our street food almost forgotten, as Dayton directed his large crew of men. There was something very exciting in the way he ran the large group with sharp and decisive moves.

"So, do you want to go to Chinatown?" I asked.

Karina scoffed. "No, and I doubt you do too. I want to get a closer look at this guy."

"No!" I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The last thing I wanted to do was have Dayton catch us gawking at him.

"It is him, isn't it!" Karina hugged herself with glee. "Oh, this is so fantastic. You've finally fallen in love and gotten the guts to be yourself all at the same time!"

"I'm not in love," I snapped.

"As if you'd know." Karina teased me. "The last time I saw you act this way it was over that hunky camp counselor. Remember?"

I sighed. "We've known each other too long."

"Exactly. And I can tell that he's the guy that's finally lit a fire in my little socialite."

I swatted Karina on the arm. "It doesn't matter. He thinks I'm just a spoiled rich girl."

"Of course he does because you are," Karina said. "But, I bet you a thousand dollars that won't matter one bit to him when you ask him out."

"What?" I could barely stifle my shriek. "I can't do that."

"I bet you didn't think you could turn Robert down flat and you did that too," Karina pointed out. "I need a closer look at him. What's his name?"

I gave up pretending that I hadn't dragged Karina to my father's office building just to try a taco. "His name's Dayton."

Karina peered across the street again. "Dayton. Why does he seem familiar? Do we know his family?"

I froze, unsure if I even knew Dayton's last name. "No. I don't think so. How could we?"

"You're right. Our social circle is a little stuffy and tight. It must be exciting to meet someone else." Karina gave a dreamy sigh.

She'd been fighting her family for years to move to South America, but they kept finding reasons to keep her in San Francisco in the hopes that she'd marry a tech billionaire. She returned their restrictions by dating and dumping almost every suitable bachelor we knew.

I looked at Dayton again. Now that Karina mentioned it, he did seem vaguely familiar. That thick, wavy hair and the rugged square cut of his jaw. I felt like I'd seen a face like his in a portrait somewhere.

Or maybe I was just daydreaming again.

"Earth to Jessa. Come on, we're going over there," Karina said. She tugged me to my feet and headed for the crosswalk.

"Why?" I asked in a whining voice.

"Because you're going to introduce us. That way I'll get his full name, and I'll be able to figure out how I know him. I swear he looks familiar," she said.

"Karina, don't be ridiculous. He's a building contractor and has been for years. His partner is an ex-con, and I don't think either of them is hiding a pedigree."

"And it doesn't matter either way to the new you." Karina tucked her arm through mine as we made it to the sidewalk. "I'll give you a chance, and then I'm asking him out for you."

"I can't. I just broke off my engagement. How would that look?" I asked.

"It would look like you're too strong to go into mourning over a jerk like Robert. You know he's been telling people you're just playing hard to get, right?" Karina dragged me closer to Dayton's office trailer.

I tried to hide behind his white pick-up, but Karina kept pulling me along. Mike saw us coming and waved as he held his walkie-talkie up to his lips.

"Hello, ladies," Mike said with a broad smile. "Nice to see you again, Ms. Lauren. And who might this ray of sunshine be?"

Karina giggled and held out a hand. "Karina Thomas."

"Enchanted." Mike's black eyes twinkled. He was built like a bull, tattooed and rock hard but he swept into a graceful bow and kissed the back of Karina's hand. "Mike Jackson, at your service."

My normally outgoing and unstoppable friend stood dazed. Mike was at least ten years her senior and his black hair contrasted with her platinum blonde, but it seemed like she'd met her match in Dayton's gregarious partner.

"We were just passing; we don't want to interrupt anything," I said.

Dayton was caught in a clump of construction workers reviewing a wide set of plans, but he sent them scattering as soon as he saw us.

"Mike, stop scaring Jessa's guest," Dayton called out.

Mike didn't take his eyes off Karina's or let go of her hand. "Fine. How about I take her on a tour instead?"

Karina was already a few steps away when she blinked and remembered her own plan. "Sorry, we haven't met yet."

"Dayton Miller, may I present Karina Thomas," Mike said.

Dayton raised an eyebrow at his friend's impeccable manners. "Nice to meet you, Karina. Mind if I steal Jessa away for a minute? We have a problem with the outside wall sconces, and I need her art historian eyes."

I watched as Mike led my friend up the front steps, but I couldn't make my own feet move.

"Everything all right, Jessa?" Dayton asked. His blue eyes crinkled with concern. "I heard you had a rough scene here the other day. I hope you're doing okay."

He caught my hand, and the electric current of my attraction woke me out of my trance. "I'm doing great, actually."

Dayton smiled, relieved. "You impressed my crew. They kept telling me they wished they had applauded."

I laughed. "It's nice to know I had support."

"You're always welcome and supported here," Dayton assured her.

His warm hand squeezing mine, the pleasing pulse of our physical attraction, and the twinkle in his blue eyes were too much for me. I blurted out, "Instead of wall sconces, do you want to talk about going out to dinner sometime?"

Dayton's jaw dropped, but he quickly recovered. "I'd love to. What about tonight?"