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Plus, after he got fired waiting tables, things just went downhill from there. His parents gave him money because Corey blamed it on management at the restaurant, but I know it’s because my boyfriend has a bad attitude and was showing up drunk to his shifts. Not only that, but I think he was stealing other peoples’ tips. I have no idea how he did it, but my sixth sense tells me that somehow, Corey was taking other peoples’ hard-earned cash.

Misery overwhelms me in a wave. What did I do to deserve this? I’ve always treated my boyfriend well, and I swear, when this relationship began, things were good for a little while at least. So what went wrong? Why did we crash and burn?

Suddenly, a low voice interrupts my despair and I jump.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Quickly, I turn while wiping at my cheeks, but it’s not a member of the hotel staff. No, it’s the handsome older man from earlier, and his blue eyes gleam as they rove over my tear-stained face and luscious figure. Where do we go from here? I just hope this gorgeous man can help me.

4

Preston

Ten minutes earlier.

I stand to the side as the boy, whose name appears to be Corey, and the pretty young woman argue. Really, it’s not an argument. Instead, the boy’s throwing a hissy fit and my guess is that if he had another basket of breadsticks at hand, that he’d slam those on the floor too. This boy is nothing but a man-child, and to be honest the woman’s patience is remarkable.

But after several minutes, the argument has escalated to a point where he storms off, leaving her alone in the hallway. Good riddance because the beautiful brunette’s certainly better off without him.

Yet when she starts to cry, my heart contracts at the palpable sorrow in those sobs. Not only did her boyfriend humiliate her in front of hundreds of people, but he broke her heart too. As a result, I step forward.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask in a deep voice. She turns, startled and takes a moment to wipe her eyes. Wow, this woman is amazingly gorgeous up close. She’s in a tight blue dress that skims over those lush curves. The décolletage is low enough to be sexy without baring it all, and the fabric emphasizes her tiny waist and wide hips. Matching blue pumps finish the look and my mouth literally waters while taking her in.

“I’m okay. I’m so sorry about that,” she hiccups.

I laugh low in my throat at how ridiculous that statement is. “It wasn’t your fault, honey. I’m just sorry it happened. Are you alright?”

She nods and up close, I see a tip-tilted chin, a tiny nose, and big brown eyes. Her lips are plush and pink, and look to be made for kisses. This woman is exactly my type, and if I were a younger man, I would be all over her. Yet, this is my daughter’s wedding so I’ve got to keep my libido in check. She’s Zora’s age. It’s not appropriate.

“I’m okay,” she says in a shuddering exhale, drawing me back out of my thoughts. “My boyfriend—well, he’s my ex-boyfriend now, I guess.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, although inside, my heart’s dancing with joy. An opening has just appeared and I’m a man who recognizes opportunity when I see it. But outwardly, I maintain a veneer of sympathy.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I say in a soothing tone. “Give him some time to cool down.”

But the pretty woman shakes her head, brown curls bobbling.

“No, not this time. Corey does this sometimes. He behaves like a child and there’s no apology afterwards. He doesn’t even acknowledge what happened, and instead, pretends like everything’s normal.”

I give her a pointed look, my blue eyes seeking hers.

“Can I be frank with you?” I ask. As much as I think she needs someone to tell her the truth, I don’t want to hurt her feelings if she’s feeling emotional and vulnerable. Yet, this woman appears to be sensible in addition to open-minded, so I risk it.

She throws me a lop-sided smile. “Please do.”

I match her smile with a grin before turning serious.

“I’ve met a lot of guys like that in my life, honey. Men who think that if they yell loud enough, they’ll get what they want. It usually works too, because people can only take so much of that before it gets so annoying that you just cave. Especially if there’s a woman who loves him. She’ll give him the benefit of the doubt time and time again, even as his behavior becomes atrocious.”

The pretty brunette’s jaw drops a little, but she catches herself, and covers her mouth with shock. “That sounds exactly like Corey. How do I make him stop?”

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