Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 409

Vince understood Timothy better than most.

If Sandra and Abell had actually managed to persuade Timothy to file for divorce, they would have reached out

to him ages ago-asked him to get in touch with Jessica, at least. But now, with the court date less than twenty-

four hours away and still no word, it was obvious things weren't going as planned.

Larkin turned to Jessica and asked gently, "So, you're really sure there's no chance of you and Timothy getting

back together?"

Jessica nodded.

"In that case," Larkin continued, "once the hearing's over tomorrow and you and Timothy are officially divorced-

why not marry our Vince?"

Jessica blushed so deeply she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

She waved her hands in protest, flustered.

"You don't want to?" Larkin prompted.

Hurriedly, Jessica grabbed a notepad and scribbled, "It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

She wrote, "Mr. Zimmerman is such a good man. I'm not worthy of him." Vince, silently watching from across the

room, caught the words she'd written.

Larkin chuckled. "You're an exceptional woman yourself, Jessy. There's no such thing as 'not worthy." Vince has

always been the more gentle one in the family, always quick with a smile. | think you'd be a wonderful match.

And | know he admires you, too."

But Jessica still felt uneasy. The timing was all wrong: she was just coming out of a marriage, for one. And

someone like Vince-well, with his family, his standing, and his talents—he could easily find someone who'd never

been married, someone without a child, not someone like her with so much baggage.

Larkin turned to Vince. "If Jessy and Timothy divorce, would you be willing to marry her?"

Jessica's embarrassment deepened-she'd never even considered the possibility of her and Vince together, not

like that. Besides, Vince and Timothy had known each other for years; they weren't exactly close, but they

weren't strangers, either. "I would," Vince said simply.

He meant it. No woman had ever occupied his thoughts the way Jessica did. No woman had ever moved him so

deeply, or impressed him so much.

So yes, he was willing. Her past didn't matter to him. Even if she wanted custody of Henry, he'd find a way—no

matter what it took-to bring the boy over from the Lawson family for her.

Jessica was stunned. She couldn't even look at Vince now. If things ever turned romantic between them, she

doubted she'd have the courage to keep talking to him at all. She'd always assumed Vince's concern for her er

was just as a friend, nothing

more-especially given his

connection to her grandmother and

to Larkin.

She wasn't ready to start anything new, not when her old wounds hadn't healed.

Not with everything so tangled.

Larkin smiled warmly. "Jessy, Vince is willing. I've always thought you'd

make a good match. After et

about you, | wanted to bring it

but you and Timothy were already married, so | kept quiet. But now that you're getting a divorce, there's no need

forto hold back? I'd hate to see someone else swoop in and take you away. You'd be a wonderful addition to

the Zimmerman family."

But Vince interrupted, "Not yet."

Larkin frowned. “You just agreed a second ago—don't tellyou're changing your mind?"

"It's not that," Vince explained quickly. He'd seen Jessica's discomfort, and he worried she'd withdraw from him

altogether if things moved too fast. At the very least, he wanted her to feel she could still cto him for help.

He elaborated, "We still haven't found my little sister. Not long ago, Jessy and | discussed that if, in the end, she

still hasn't turned up, Jessy could pretend to be her for a while to comfort my mother. But if Jessy and | announce

an engagement, there's no way she could keep up that act."

Mentioning his granddaughter brought a shadow to Larkin's face. He turned to Jessica, his voice a little softer.

"You and my Salwould have gotten along, | think. How old are you, Jessy?"

Jessica wrote, "Twenty-seven."

"Salwould be a year younger than you now. She disappeared when she was six. It's been twenty years, and

we still haven't found her."

Jessica quickly scribbled a comforting note: "You've never given up searching. With all the advances in

technology, maybe you'll find her soon."

The mention of his granddaughter weighed heavily on Larkin. After a few moments, he sighed and announced he

needed to rest, encouraging Jessica to turn in as well and get over her jet lag so she'd be in good shape for court

tomorrow.

Vince walked Jessica to the guest room. At her door, he paused and said, "Jessy, don't feel pressured. My

grandfather never forgot your

grandmother, and he's alwayne

wanted to see us together. He's just talking-he's getting on in years, and | was just trying to make him happy

when | agreed. If you're not comfortable, I'll never force you.

Don't worry about it, okay?"

Relief flooded Jessica's face. She raised her thumb in a small gesture of thanks.

Vince nodded and told her to get srest.

As soon as she stepped inside, Vince headed out again.

He needed to find Timothy.

Up until now, he'd been on Jessica's side, yes, but he'd never made a firm decision to actively help her end her

marriage. Now, he understood there was

no hope left for their relationship.

He had to see Timothy tonight.

Otherwise, tomorrow's hearing would be a disaster.