The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 61

Time flew that week and next thing she knew the day of her birthday party had arrived.

With the exception of dress shopping, she spent the morning doing the same thing she'd done for her date with Nick; manicure, pedicure; hairstylist and makeup artist. Also like last time, Christian met her at her door and walked her down the stairs where Nick waited for her.

It would kill her to admit it, but she had missed him. They'd spoken on the phone every night but those nightly talks weren't nearly enough.

When she reached him, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek and complimented her looks. "Beautiful," he said with awe resonating through his voice.

Wearing the second dress she'd purchased last week and her hair in an up do, she felt beautiful.

"And this is for you." He pulled a slim box from his front pockets and presented it to her with a smile and wished her a happy birthday.

Jessica thanked him and flipped the jewelry box open. Lying inside was a necklace the likes she'd never seen before. It was beautiful. It was exquisite. But she could not keep it and told him so. She tried to give it back to him but Nick shook his head and took a step away.

"This is too beautiful I am not a jewelry person, I am afraid I will lose it" she persisted.

Nick shook his head again and wrapped her hand over the gift. "Don't worry about it." He told her. "You don't have to ever wear it. I just wanted you to have your own necklace and I knew this one was made for you the moment I saw it." Jessica shook her head, "besides," he continued, "your second gift, in my opinion, is better."

Jessica's eyes flew open. "You got me more than one gift?"

He nodded, took her hand and led her to the backyard. When they stepped out everybody shouted happy birthday but her concentration was centered on one person.

Shocked, Jessica watched as her mom separated herself from the group of birthday wishers.

"That's your birthday gift." Nick pointed out then murmured a happy birthday and nudged her towards her mom Layla.

"Mom!" She cried and ran into her arms. Part of her had been dreading her birthday because it would be the first time that she would celebrate it without her mom.

"Happy birthday Jess."

Jessica smiled and whispered into her mom's shoulder. "It is now."

Layla pushed her back to take a look at her. "Wow, how did they get you into a dress?"

Jessica laughed. "I have no idea."

"Well you look amazing."

And that's when it happened, an earthquake. An earthquake like she'd never experienced before. It lasted only seconds but it managed to turn her whole world upside down. She looked around, amazed that no one else had felt the tremor. But why would they? They weren't the ones who had just realized that they were in love.

True, her feelings for him had been evolving for a couple weeks and true, she'd always believed he was a danger to her heart but she never realized just how dangerous and how soon she'd reach this point. Almost like a thief in the night, he'd snuck in and made away with her heart.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked, dragging her back from her inner turmoil.

"I'm sorry, what?" She asked, wondering how she could sound so calm.

"I asked if you were OK." He leaned down to look into her eyes. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and closed her eyes. "Nothing, I just got a bit light headed from all of this excitement." She looked away, trying to hide the truth in her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and thinking she'd managed to disguise her feelings, she looked at him, really looked at him. He was different now, not like the jaded jerk she'd first met months ago. It was his different attitude that did it, she decided, because she could deal with a jerk but how could she fight off a sweetheart?

He seemed more relaxed and smiled more, not mockingly, but a real smile; the kind that came from within and made your eyes shine. He was smiling at her now and it transformed his whole face. "What do you see?"