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“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alessandra.” Noah hugged her and turned to Drake. “How’s it going, Drake? You two had quite the wedding.”
Alessandra giggled at Noah’s boyish charm. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Judge Matthews clearly has good taste.”
“He really doesn’t,” Noah laughed. “I’m the one who pursued him relentlessly.”
Drake couldn’t help but chuckle. “They were interested in each other. But as a clerk for the judge, they couldn’t pursue a relationship.”
“That’s so sad. So what happened between then and now? I mean, you’re married, aren’t you?”
“Proudly, for three years now.” Jerry kissed his husband’s cheek.
“I was doodling Mr. Noah Matthews on paper one day.”
“Like a teenager with a crush does?” Alessandra asked, remembering doing the same thing herself.
“I’m not ashamed of it. It paid off. Sometimes wishes do come true. I am Mr. Noah Matthews, after all.”
“At that point, I decided to stop denying my feelings. I immediately transferred Noah to another judge and asked him out on our first date the next day.”
“That’s the sweetest story I’ve ever heard.” Alessandra was awed.
“Well, our story isn’t as exciting as yours. But it’s love nonetheless.” Noah shrugged.
“Love…” Alessandra echoed softly as Jerry grabbed Noah’s hand and pulled him in for a sweet kiss.
For the first time, Drake kicked himself for not recognizing the woman beside him. He blamed her shamefully for something that wasn’t her choice, but his.
Alessandra burst into laughter as Noah recounted a story; the two quickly bonded. He was surprised to see how well she fit in with his friends and how she opened up in ways he had never seen before. As he witnessed the sincere smile on her face, his heart raced with delight, and he felt honored to stand by her side as her companion. She was charming and witty, and blossomed before his eyes. Drake’s desire reignited with intensity and longing. He had to convince her to stay and give him the opportunity to win her over.
Drake wrapped his arm around Alessandra’s shoulders and kissed her cheek once they sat down for dinner. She rewarded him with a sweet smile.
“I like your friends. Thank you for bringing me here.”
***
Chapter Fourteen
The police commissioner discussed Chicago’s current crime rates. Alessandra struggled to pay attention to his words because she was painfully aware of the fire trailing across her upper arm caused by Drake’s fingers. The change in his demeanor was enough to give her whiplash, but when their eyes met, his smile gave her hope.
He was upset earlier when she told Jenny they were still moving forward with the divorce. Alessandra hoped they could leave this marriage with their dignity intact. But he didn’t know about Luca’s threat. She planned to tell him the truth after the gala.
The final speaker of the evening was the mayor herself, whose platform for election was a champion for women’s and children’s rights. She shared her experiences from her time in the public defender’s office due to underfunding and overwhelming caseloads.
“Thank you for your contributions this evening. It’s you that makes this gala a success every year. Please enjoy the remainder of your evening. The bar and dance floor are now open.”
Drake stood and extended his hand to Alessandra. “May I have this dance, bella?”
She let him pull her to the dance floor. The chandelier cast a warm romantic glow over them. The night was shaping up to be something special. The walls between them were crumbling, and it felt good to not be so defensive.
Drake wound an arm around her waist and pulled her close. They swayed to the music. Alessandra would forever remember the soft instrumental strains ofRight Here Waitingas their song.
“I’m sorry it took this long for our first dance,” Drake said.
“It wasn’t an ideal wedding day for either of us,” she said softly.
“Would you like to renew our vows one day? We can have a ceremony that means something to us and a grand reception like this with our friends and family celebrating us.” The sincerity in Drake’s voice shocked her. She never expected him to ask such a question.
“Is that something you’d want, Drake?”
