Sarah had explained that even Evan was heavily involved with the project, and Grady had happily jumped on board quite some time ago. When Dante learned about it, he came up with the idea for a wedding favor of donating for every guest. It was thoughtful and sweet. As a physician who had seen her share of abused women, Sarah adored Dante even more for donating and coming up with the unique idea . . . if it was even possible for Sarah to dote on her fiancé more than she already did.
Closing the ties on the black bag, which was personalized with gold lettering, Mara added it to the growing pile of finished favor bags and reached for the next.
“He’s the one, isn’t he,” Kristin said reverently from her seat beside Mara on the couch.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The single word echoed in Mara’s heart as she replied, “How do you know? How does any woman know?” Mara knew because she’d never felt this way before, and gut instinct had been gnawing at her insides since she’d met Jared. Something had been different about him, the connection she’d felt for him almost . . . magical. There was no doubt in her mind that she was in love with him. Deeply. Insanely. Passionately.
Sarah stopped stuffing her bag to look at Mara. “You just know, Mara. I think sometimes we fight it because we’re afraid to really feel that strongly. But we sense it. If he’s the man you’re meant to be with, nothing is too embarrassing to talk about. He loves you exactly as you are and doesn’t see your imperfections. He’ll be willing to risk everything for you, and you’ll feel the same way.”
Mara knew about how Dante had saved Sarah’s life. It was a small town, and the incident had been huge news. Although Jared hadn’t done something like that, he had risked baring himself to her. He trusted her, and that knowledge made her heart melt into a puddle at her feet. “It’s scary when you feel this way,” she muttered. It was also exhilarating, thrilling, and breathtaking.
“It really is,” Emily agreed readily from her seat in one of the recliners. “But the scary part eventually goes away and all that’s left is the happiness. It’s not like everything is always perfect. Grady and I disagree. We’re both stubborn. But even when we do, we still love each other.” She paused before asking, “Are you in love with Jared?”
Mara caught Emily’s gaze and finally nodded. “I am. I don’t know how it happened or why the two of us seem to fit together. We’re so different.”
“Different because he’s so rich?” Kristin questioned.
“No. It’s more than that. I don’t care about the money. I care about . . . Jared.” She wouldn’t reveal any of Jared’s secrets, even if she was a little intoxicated. “Jared is urbane, sophisticated. He’s brilliant at business, and one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. I’m a small-town woman who isn’t the least bit elegant. I had to drop out of college because my mother was sick, and I’ve only traveled out of the state a few times. I’m not worldly, and my life is fairly ordinary. I’m ordinary.”
“That’s just superficial differences. They don’t matter. I think beneath all of Jared’s bluster, he’s a good man,” Sarah mused. “I think Dante knew he was interested in somebody in town. I even think he knew it was you.”
Mara’s head snapped up. “He did? How? Even I didn’t know.”
Sarah smiled at her. “Cop instinct, I guess. He was on to the fact that Jared wasn’t seeing anybody.”
“He hasn’t for a while now. Been with anybody, I mean,” she added hastily. “He said he’s seen with a lot of women, but some of them are just friends. I believe him.”
“I believe that,” Emily chirped. “The tabloids and media can be brutal. So much speculation without the facts. I think it would be great if you and Jared ended up together. I think he needs you.”
I don’t deserve you, Mara, but I need you.
She sighed as she remembered Jared’s words. The big question was . . . did he love her? Was he starting to fall as hard as she was falling? “I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.” Her heart was now open to Jared, his to cherish or break. She was rolling the dice on him, and she hoped her instincts were right. If not, she’d be shattered.
“God, he’s hot,” Kristin commented enthusiastically.
“He is. That’s why I don’t understand why he’s interested in me. I’m probably the plainest, most boring woman in town.”
“That’s not true,” Sarah replied hotly. “You’re pretty and sweet. Dante once said that sweet women are a Sinclair’s downfall.”
Randi snorted. “I guess I never have to worry about being any Sinclair man’s downfall then.”
Mara glanced at the petite brunette. She didn’t believe Randi for a second. She might act like she was tough, but she was willing to bet the woman had a warm heart. She’d never been anything but kind to her, and Randi volunteered a lot of her time at the Youth Center when she wasn’t teaching at the local school.
“Grady loves me, and I’m plain, tall, and curvy,” Emily added firmly. “It’s like he’s blind to every fault I have.”
“Jared is, too,” Mara admitted in a perplexed voice. “He looks at me like I’m a supermodel. It’s like he thinks I’m perfect.” She rolled her eyes just at the thought of her ever being without fault, physically or emotionally.
“He is the one,” Kristin affirmed with a smile.