“I’m going to prove to Lucy that love doesn’t make sense. It’s magic, fireworks, and passion. Love . . . ” Jared shrugged. “Love defies logic.”
A smug smile spread across Finn’s face. “You have a plan for your magic show?”
“I do.” Jared turned back to his computer screen. He had the beginnings of a plan. But with his resources, and a little help, he could make it work. “But,” he added to Finn, “It’s none of your business.”
Chapter 26
“If you walk through that door looking like that, you will ruin this little girl’s party. You will guarantee she never believes in happy ever after.” Nicole pressed her fairy wings against the back door. Her arms stretched to her sides, blocking Lucy from walking around her friend.
“You’re being ridiculous,” Lucy protested. “Move.”
“Your eyes are red and blotchy,” Nicole said. “You look like you’ve been crying for days.”
“I spent my morning at the hospital,” Lucy snapped.
Nicole cocked her head but didn’t lower her arms. “You wept after seeing Cara? I thought you said she was doing better than expected.”
“She is,” Lucy admitted. “But I still cried.”
“This has nothing to do with your billionaire boyfriend who flew from New York to have coffee with you?”
He’s not my billionaire, Lucy thought. Not anymore.
The tears threatened again, but she channeled the flood into anger. Red eyes and a river of mascara was a poor look for Cinderella.
“Move or we’ll be late,” Lucy growled. “My eyes are fine now.”
“You cried after your date, didn’t you?” Nicole said. Her arms lowered an inch and Lucy darted forward. But the fairy was faster. Nicole blocked her grab for the door handle.
“Yes,” Lucy admitted. “You’re right. I cried the entire ride from the airport.”
She’d had a pity party for one in the back of Jared Mitchell’s stretch limo. He’d wanted to try to make their relationship work. And she’d shot him down.
I did the right thing, she told herself. I know what I want from a relationship, and this isn’t it.
“Now will you let me through the door?” Lucy asked. “I can fix my makeup before show time. But we need to get to the party site—”
The front doorbell cut her off. Lucy glanced over her shoulder. The tap, tap, tap of high-heeled shoes on hardwood filled the entryway and drifted into the kitchen.
“Lucy,” Emma bellowed from the front hall. “There’s a gentleman at the door.”
Jared came back.
Lucy gathered her gown in her hands and then hesitated. Delaney needed her. She couldn’t waste time listening to Jared’s reassurances that he would make their relationship work. Not now.
I’ll tell him to get back on his plane, she thought. Then she spun on her glass slippers. She raced down the hall. The sound of flapping fairy wings told her that Nicole was on her heels. Lucy stopped abruptly by the stairs.
That’s not Jared.
Emma held the door open for a tall, slim man in a black suit and hat. She recognized the gentleman from her ill-fated coffee date. Jared hadn’t cast aside his work, his company, and the foundation of his life—for her.
Of course not, she thought bitterly. Why would he?
Love. Well, that was one reason. But clearly heart-felt emotions remained a footnote in Jared’s life. She’d been right to end their relationship.
“Did you forget something?” Lucy asked Jared’s driver.
“Mr. Mitchell requests the pleasure of your company.” The driver scanned her ball gown and then executed a half bow.