Page 10 of Masked

She turned to Reva and ordered her into the dress with such confidence that she didn’t hesitate. As she slipped it over her head, Jasmine whispered, “No offense to Sarah, but I’m rather glad her passport was expired. You were simply made for one of my dresses.”

It was a struggle to keep the smirk off her face as the fabric fell over her body. It was luxurious and fit her just the way it was. But Jasmine threw the tape measure around her anyway and pulled on the fabric.

“We hardly need to alter this at all. It’s as if I made it for you. When I was designing it, I had a feeling someone special would wear it. I just didn’t realize how special. My muse did though.”

Was she serious?

“Jasmine is one of the best designers in the world. She designed for six people at the Oscars last year. How lucky am I?” Mandy said, excitement in her eyes.

Reva didn’t care who made the dress she was wearing, but there was something about Jasmine that she liked. And she had to agree that the dress was a near perfect fit as it was.

After the older woman poked and pulled on the dress for several minutes, she declared her measurements done and ordered her to take the dress off.

“You need some diamonds. I’ve got a few gorgeous pieces with me. You can try them in the morning.”

“Oh, That’s unnecessary. I’m sure I’ve got something in my jewelry bag.”

“Nonsense. Enjoy the pampering, darling. I see in your eyes that it’s been a while.”

Reva frowned. What the hell was that supposed to mean? But she didn’t have time to think about it because the woman gathered the dress she’d just taken off and floated out of the room again.

“Wow, that was a lot,” Reva said as she stared after her, stunned.

“Jasmine Darlington.” Mandy said in a dreamy voice. “I still can’t believe my mother tracked her down. She’s so picky about who she works with. Now get out of here and enjoy the island. Rehearsal isn’t for hours.”

“Ms. Calhoun, how is your graduate program going?”

Reva sucked in a sharp breath and turned at the sound of Noah Jasper’s velvet voice. His smile was breathtaking, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He looked tired. There was a hollowness about him that hadn’t existed when he opened the door for the police all those months ago. Parker had called him a few times, but to her knowledge he hadn’t visited. And she would not nag him about it. Their relationship was too new for her to become the nagging girlfriend.

“Dr. Jasper, how good to see you again. It’s going well. Thank you. And how are you?” It didn’t feel right to give him the honest answer that her department was on the cusp of having to make some serious funding cuts.

“I’m surviving. My daughter tells me I’ll be escorting you tomorrow. I hope this means you’ll save me a dance at the reception.”

Dance with Noah Jasper? She could imagine herself tripping all over her own feet.

“I’ve never been a superb dancer. But I’ll think about it.”

Before he could say anything else, someone called for him and he put a hand on her shoulder. “Excuse me. I’ll see you when rehearsal starts.”

She stared after him until Parker came and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“Are you glad you came, babe?”

She smiled at him and nodded. “Of course. Is it weird that I’m walking down the aisle with Noah and not with you?” She learned not to refer to Noah as Parker’s dad. He definitely didn’t see him like that. Not like the other two did. Though even Jacob called him Noah, he at least still seemed to like the man that adopted him when his own father died.

Parker frowned. “Why would it be weird? It’s a wedding. You have to walk with the person you fit the best with, or the photographers get weird, or the bride starts crying.”

Reva laughed at his characterization of weddings. He thought she would fit best with his dad? Or did he think Monica would look best with him? She had to admit she was kind of jealous that Monica Parrish was walking with Parker. They’d met a few times, and she didn’t care for the woman. But she was a friend of the family and important to some aspect of Parker’s work, so she didn’t say anything.

A half hour later, rehearsal started, but Noah wasn’t there. Had something happened?

“Reva, can you walk by yourself tonight and just give my Dad the notes in the morning? He had to take an important work call.”

Ever the agreeable one, Reva walked down the aisle by herself, pretending to be on the arm of the handsome older Jasper. His looks were rugged, and she got the sense he’d seen some things in his line of work—whatever that was, Parker wasn’t exactly clear on it—but he was still nice to stare at.

Halfway through the ceremony rehearsal, Noah slipped into his spot on the groom’s side of the wedding party and Reva swore he winked at her when their eyes met.

When the practice ceremony was over, she met him in front of the center aisle and looped her arm through his. “You’re late, Dr. Jasper. I had to walk by myself.”

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