Free Jilted by Eve Vaughn Page A

Izzy ran to the door. She waited a few minutes before her mom poked her head into the room and signaled that it was time for Skylar to make her entrance.
    When she stepped into the living room, Jeremy was waiting for her with a large bouquet of white roses. Sporting a well-tailored black tuxedo, he was quite handsome. “Hi, Jeremy.”
    He widened his eyes to the point where she thought they’d pop out of his head. “Wow! You look….amazing.”
    Skylar smiled, feeling shy all of a sudden. “You look nice too.”
    “These are for you.” To her surprise, he only gave her a third of the flowers which made Skylar realize he was carrying three separate arrangements. She took the offered roses. “And these are you for, Ms. Brown.” Jeremy handed the second bouquet to her mom.
    Priscilla giggled like a teenager. “Please call me Priscilla.”
    “And one for you.” He gave the last of his flowers to Izzy.
    “This guy is definitely a keeper.” Izzy nodded in approval.
    “I hate to do this to do but do you mind if I have one of your roses, Skylar?”
    “Uh…okay.”
    He plucked one of her roses. “I was remiss. I should have ordered four bouquets. He knelt down and held out the single rose to Harper. “Here you go, princess.”
    Harper stood behind Skylar, staring at the stranger warily.
    “Go ahead honey, take it.” Skylar gently prodded, touched by Jeremy’s gesture to include her daughter.
    Harper stepped forward, snatched the flower out of Jeremy’s hand and hurried back to her spot behind Skylar. “Thank you,” she whispered so softly she could barely be heard.
    “You’re very welcome.” Jeremy smiled at her.
    “Hey, where’s our present?” Tristan demanded pulling his brother along. “And we don’t like flowers. Those are for girls.”
    “Tristan. Don’t be rude,” Skylar lightly chided.
    “Well, everybody else got something.” He pouted.
    Jeremy focused on the little boy. “You’re in luck. I have these action figure trading cards that you and Finn might like.” He dug into his pocket and produced two sets of sealed trading cards and handed one to each boy.
    “Thank you!” Finn grinned.
    Tristan nodded his approval as he stared at his gift. “Thanks.”
    “Can I offer you anything to drink, Jeremy?” Priscilla asked.
    “I’d love to stick around a little longer but we have to get going. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Skylar has told me so much about everyone that I feel like I already know you.”
    Izzy batted her lashes at him. “Well I certainly hope we get to know you better, Jeremy.”
    “Likewise.”
    Once they were settled in Jeremy’s SUV, Skylar initiated conversation. “I think you’re a hit with my family. It was very nice of you to bring gifts for everyone. You didn’t have to do that.”
    “I know, but I wanted to make a good first impression. Besides, it’s important to me that your family likes me.”
    “Oh? Why is that?”
    “Because they’re important to you.”
    Skylar couldn’t keep the smile off her face. This guy was almost too good to be true. “That’s really sweet of you.”
    He chuckled. “I won’t argue with you there. Your children are adorable, by the way.”
    “Thank you. And I’m sorry about Tristan demanding a gift from you the way he did.”
    Jeremy waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. He’s four. That’s what kids his age do. From the looks of things, you’ve done a great job with your children.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’m just glad you agreed to come out with me tonight. I’ve wanted to take you on a real date from the moment I met you.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Yes, why wouldn’t I? You’re smart, beautiful, and have a great sense of humor. I’m surprised some guy hasn’t already snapped you up.”
    Skylar bowed her head, not sure how to respond to that statement. She’d never told him about her past, only that things didn’t work out with the triplets’ father.
    “Skylar?” he prompted when