Page 46 of Like You Love Me

The three J’s exchanged dumbfounded looks.

“Squirt, we have no idea what you are talking about,” Jaden managed to say with a straight face.

“Don’t worry,” Brenna replied as she smoothed a palm over her belly. “I am going to sit here and make sure they behave.”

“Good idea,” Bianca said and felt a gentle hand at her shoulder. She turned to see her cousin Sage standing beside her in a black sweater dress that hugged her short, petite frame. Bianca loved her sexy new look with her head shaved low and tinted burgundy. “Hey, Gigi! What is this, a family affair?” Bianca said before embracing her with a warm hug.

Sage gave her an affectionate squeeze before she drew back and looked up at Bianca, with her eyes sparkling with mischief. “There’s no way in the world I was missing my brothers walking across the stage tonight. “I don’t know how you convinced Rush to participate, but you know I was going to be here for that!”

Bianca nodded excitedly. “Well, I’m glad all of you could come and provide a contribution to our cause.”

Jaden held up a beer bottle to say, “You’re welcome anytime.”

“Since I’m the only unmarried person at the table, I think I’ll take one for the team, and do everything I can to jack up the bids as high as I can,” Sage commented with a grin.

“Be careful with that; you might get stuck spending the evening with somebody you weren’t planning on spending it with.”

“And what would Cser say about that?” Brenna teased. Bianca nodded in agreement.

“It’s all for a good cause,” Sage said while Jaden pulled out her chair. “Besides, Cser knows my heart has always belonged to him.”

“Where is he now?” London asked.

“At some undisclosed location,” Sage muttered, and Bianca could see the fear in her cousin’s eyes. Cser was special forces and joined his team after spending New Year’s with the Beaumonts. “He’s only going to be gone six months.” She released a dramatic sigh then shrugged. “He calls almost every day, and we even video chat, but I can’t wait until he is home.”

“He will be back before you know it,” Bianca said, hoping to cheer her up.

“And we may be planning another wedding,” Brenna added, causing Sage’s face to light up with anticipation. Her older sister Sedona was planning a summer wedding.

The women were chatting about Sedona’s wedding plans when she heard Jabarie say under his breath. “Guess who just walked in.” Bianca spotted her mother walking in with two of her dear friends. The group was being escorted when Jessica’s eyes landed on her children. She sauntered over in a charcoal-gray-colored pantsuit with an expensive diamond broach shaped like a Valentine’s heart at her lapel. Everyone rose from their seats to exchange greetings.

“I hope everyone behaves this evening and please don’t drink too much. Remember tomorrow is the ball?” Jessica reminded.

Jaden and Jabarie exchanged a blank look.

Bianca cleared her throat. “Yes, Mother, we haven’t forgotten.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Jessica looked pleased.

“Well, let’s have fun this evening and raise a lot of money,” she said and brought a kiss to Bianca’s cheek. “Sweetheart, you ladies did a fabulous job,” she whispered and sauntered off.

Sage’s gaze followed her. “Aunt Jessica continues to amaze me.”

“You can say that again,” Jace said with humor.

“Now, we just need to find a way to get out of going to this ball,” Jaden muttered.

Jabarie gave a rude snort. “Sorry, bruh. That’s not happening.”

Bianca was laughing when she felt another tap on the shoulder. She swung around to see Danica standing beside her, pointing to her watch. It was time to start the auction.

While Bianca’s brothers howled with laughter and started talking simultaneously, Jace ordered another round of drinks.

Damn, I love this family!

London leaned back in the chair and watched his wife as she moved across the room, looking beautiful in a navy-blue dress.

Sheyna moved up to the podium with loud applause. Even from where she was standing, Bianca pressed a finger to her lips and silently warned him to be quiet. Following a smirk, London shifted on the seat and listened as Sheyna delivered a speech where she explained the purpose of the evening’s fundraiser and ended by introducing the Master of Ceremony, Sally Sims, a local TV personality from Channel 8 News. There was another loud round of applause as Sheyna left the podium, and she stepped up to the mic. When Sheyna walked over to whisper something in her assistant’s ear, London spotted a man sitting in one of the rows of chairs who sparked his attention.

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