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the dress before returning to the bathroom so I could do my make-up without spilling on the dress. Since the dress was bright yet classic, I decided to do my face to match by going light on the eyes, just taupe eye shadow and a touch of black mascara, and painting my lips a velvety red.
    I had slipped back into the dress and was just fastening some strappy heels as David came in to the room. He was already dressed in a tuxedo and bow tie, and as I looked up, my breath hitched. He must have changed at the office. He. Looked. Amazing. I seriously think he could wear a tux every day of his life and I’d never get tired of it. But he didn’t notice me notice him. His eyes went straight to the dress.
    “Wow, you look fantastic.”
    I stood up so he could get the full effect. “What do you think?” I said as I twirled.
    “I think we’re going to have a problem tonight.” I gave him a quizzical look. “Every single man is going to be staring at you, and I’ve heard that you have a very jealous boyfriend.” He said, pulling me into him.
    “Then my boyfriend shouldn’t have picked out this dress.” I breathed, as he dipped in to kiss my neck.
    “Touché, Ms. Sharp. Touché.” He inhaled deeply, sending sparks through my system. What this man could do to me with just the slightest touch, it was insane. And once he had sufficiently brought my body to full attention, he pulled away, taking me in again with his eyes. “I suppose I wanted to show you off tonight. You don’t mind, do you?”
    I went weak in my knees. I loved knowing that he coveted me and wanted to show me off with pride.
    As I was reveling in the thought, a cloud came over his face.
    I cocked my head at him. “What is it?”
    “Hmm?” He blinked at me, obviously distracted.
    “Where did you just go?”
    He closed his eyes for a beat, and when they reopened, they met mine, and his voice turned soft.
    “I was just thinking that it’s such a shame my mother never got to meet you.”
    Oh.
    I didn’t know what to say. I stayed silent, giving him room to continue.
    “She would have loved you. One thing I remember is that she loved smart, strong women. Maybe that’s where I get it from.”
    I gazed up at him. He was still holding me close, and I noticed his grip had grown tighter, as if he was afraid of letting go. I leaned into him and put my cheek against his chest.
    “I would have loved to meet her. I want to know more about her. About both of them.”
    He started to say something, but then stopped before starting again. “Sometimes I can barely picture them anymore.” His voice was quiet but full of guilt.
    I pulled back and looked up at him. “That is okay, David. It was a long time ago. It’s normal. Maybe you can tell me what you do remember. So we can remember together.”
    “Oh, Samantha.” He pulled me into him and kissed my hair.
    “You know they’d be so proud of you, right?”
    I felt him tense up ever so slightly. It was in rare moments like this that I think I loved him the most. Sure, I adored the smart business man and the consummate bedroom-god, but seeing this—seeing his humanness; well, the rare nature of it definitely made it the most precious. I could have selfishly stayed there standing with him forever, but I knew he had obligations to attend to that evening, so after a few minutes, I pulled back from him.
    “Come on, Chief, we will talk more about this later. I promise. For now, we’ve got a gala to attend. And you’ve got a girlfriend to show off.” I smirked, trying to bring him back to the here and now.
    That seemed to do it. His expression returned to normal and he stepped back, surveying me again from head to toe.
    “You are an incredibly beautiful woman. Do I tell you that enough? Because you are. The most beautiful woman in the world.”
    I pulled him back into me and flashed a demure smile.
    David couldn’t resist my expression and started to lean into me, but I put my hands on his chest and stopped him.