Page 6 of Holiday Loss

Along with the flowers he’d been sending each morning to the precinct he’d included a card with his phone number. While Jessica hadyet to call him, she also hadn't contacted him to tell him that she wanted him to stop sending flowers.

He was taking that as a win.

A small victory but still a win nonetheless.

Today he was bringing the flowers in person.

If she rejected him then he could handle it. Well, the ball of anxiety in his stomach told him he wouldn't like it, but he was a grown-up, and if she wasn't interested, then it was better he knew that now than down the track.

Following the directions he’d been given, he entered a large room and spotted her immediately. Her mane of dark red locks made her stand out in any room, and seeing her again, this time in the full light, she was even more stunning than he remembered.

Like some cosmic force was at work, her head lifted, turning in his direction. Her eyes widened when she spotted him standing there, the bouquet in his hands, but her gaze never wavered, locked on his like the universe was insisting they forge a connection.

That’s what it felt like to him anyway.

The spell was only broken when a young boy’s voice called out.

“Hey, Mom, can we bake brownies for dessert tonight?”

Startling, Jessica turned as a little boy with a mop of brown hair and a little blonde girl walked into the room along with a man.

All three of them headed toward Jessica.

For a moment the bottom dropped out of his world.

She was married?

With two kids?

Why wouldn't she tell him to back the hell off when he asked her out if she already had a family?

Her words from that night echoed in his mind.I'm sorry, Mr. Davidson, I don’t have time for dating.

Didn't have time because she had a husband, a son, and a daughter at home.

Anger took hold and he was about to turn and head out when Jessica spoke to the man who had brought in the kids. “Tell Jasmine thank you for picking Freddie up from school for me last minute.”

“It’s no worry, she was happy to do it,” the man replied. There was ahuge smile on his face as he looked from Jessica to Donovan. “You need us to take Freddie for the night?”

A pretty blush tinted Jessica’s cheeks pink, but she shook her head. “No, thanks, you’ve done enough. Besides, Freddie and I are going to have a quiet weekend. Other than his soccer game tomorrow morning we’re just going to hang around at home. Sound good, bud?” she asked, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“Can we play video games?” Freddie asked.

“After we wrap all the presents, sure,” Jessica replied, making the child grin.

“All right then we’ll see you Monday,” the man said, still grinning widely.

“Bye, Jessica,” the little girl said.

“Bye, Claire. Adam,” Jessica returned, but her gaze kept darting in his direction.

After Adam and Claire left, Donovan closed the distance between himself and the mother and son pair. Jessica had a kid. On top of a demanding job. No wonder she looked exhausted and said she didn't have time to date.

“Who’re you?” Freddie asked, eyeing the bouquet suspiciously.

“Freddie, manners,” Jessica chided. “This is Mr. Davidson. His mom is Mrs. Grayson who owns Eat Dessert First.”

“Cool.” Freddie’s eyes lit up. “How come you and your mom have different names?”

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