Five Star Temptation. Jacquelin Thomas

glanced down into the shopping cart. She didn’t possess much, but there was no sign of diapers—cloth or otherwise.

      “This woman just walked out of the hotel and gave me this money, but I want you to have it. Looks like you may need to purchase diapers.”

      Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the hundred-dollar bill in his hand.

      “I can’t take this from you,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. Her gaze traveled slowly over his attire. “You need it as much as I do.”

      “I’ll be okay,” Ryan assured her. “I want you to have it. Use it for the baby.” He could tell that the infant was only a few weeks old. “She’s beautiful.”

      After a short deliberation, she accepted the money and smiled. “God bless you for your kindness. Thank you so much.”

      “When was the last time you had a hot meal?” Ryan asked.

      “A few days now,” she responded. “My milk is drying up, so I think I’m going to have to get formula.”

      “Hey, I’m about to get something to eat. Why don’t you and your beautiful little daughter join me? We can stop somewhere and get the diapers so you can change her first.”

      He saw the hesitation in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. My name is Ryan, and I have nothing but honorable intentions.”

      “I’m Paige, and this is Cassie. Ryan, you’ve done so much already. We really don’t want to take advantage of your kindness.”

      “You wouldn’t be,” he said. “Paige, it looks like you need a friend. I assure you that I am not looking for anything in return.”

      They walked until they found a corner store and bought diapers, a set of bottles, formula and some onesies for the baby.

      Ryan pointed to the restaurant across the street. “We can eat there.”

      Together, they crossed the street.

      “I’ll wait out here,” Paige said, looking uncomfortable. “I need to change Cassie anyway. Besides, I’m pretty sure they don’t want us to come inside.”

      Just as he was about to enter the restaurant, a young man dressed like one of the waitstaff met him at the door.

      “I can take your order,” he said, “if you have money to pay.”

      Ryan had forgotten he was dressed like a homeless person. It was clear that the waiter feared they would offend the other patrons. He stepped away from the door. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have money,” he retorted. “I want to order two burgers, fries and drinks to go.”

      “You sure you have enough money to pay for all this?” the young man asked.

      “Like I said, I wouldn’t have ordered it if I didn’t,” Ryan responded, angered by the look of disdain on the waiter’s face. He pulled out two twenty-dollar bills. “Keep the change.”

      Embarrassed, the waiter muttered, “I’ll place your order right now. It’ll be about ten minutes.”

      Ryan strolled over to one of the outdoor tables where Paige sat playing with her baby girl.

      “Why are you out here on the streets, Ryan?” Paige asked. “You obviously have money.”

      “The only reason I have this money is because some rich woman gave it to me when I was standing outside the Alexander-DePaul Hotel,” he responded honestly. “Then I saw you, and I wanted to help. A young mother and her baby should not be on the streets.”

      The waiter appeared with two tall glasses of ice water and two sodas. He set them down on the table and left as discreetly as he had arrived. He returned a few minutes later with their food.

      “Where are you from?” Ryan inquired. He could hear a hint of a Southern accent in her voice.

      “I’m from Atlanta, Georgia,” Paige responded. “I came to Los Angeles to be with my boyfriend. He plays the sax, and he’s trying to get into the music business. Things were good between us until I got pregnant. Then we started to argue and fight all the time. After Cassie was born, I thought we were getting back on track, but two weeks ago, he left to buy diapers and never returned. I couldn’t pay the rent for the hotel we were staying in, so I had to leave.”

      Ryan felt a surge of anger rise in him as he listened to Paige’s story. What man could just walk away from his child like that?

      It was obvious that this man never really cared for Paige. Ryan was careful not to voice his opinion aloud. He did not want to say anything that would add to the young woman’s pain.

      * * *

      “Have you decided on your color scheme yet?” Sage inquired.

      “I was actually thinking about a mint-green and vintage-purple theme,” Natasha said. “They are two of my favorite colors.” She paused a moment before adding, “Oh, and I’ve found what I think is the perfect bridesmaid dress. It’s by Alvina Valenta. She is an extraordinary designer, and her dresses are known for their details and elegance.”

      “I’m just glad that you didn’t choose soft pastel colors,” Sage announced as they entered the bridal shop. “They do absolutely nothing for my complexion. You know weddings are all about the bridesmaids, don’t you?”

      Laughing, Natasha walked up to the counter to check in for their appointment.

      While they waited, Sage’s gaze traveled the length of the shop, eyeing the vast number of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and other formal wear. She couldn’t wait for the day when it would be her turn to get married.

      Her dream wedding wasn’t filled with lots of glitz, glamour and hundreds of wedding guests. Instead, she wanted a more intimate and romantic ceremony—perhaps a destination wedding.

      “What do you think about this one?” Natasha asked, drawing Sage out of her reverie.

      She surveyed the gown in her future sister-in-law’s hand. “It’s pretty, but I don’t think it looks like you.”

      “Really?”

      Sage nodded. “I don’t know why, but I just can’t really see you in this dress. Maybe it’s because there’s so much lace. You don’t strike me as the ribbons, ruffles or bows type of girl.”

      “You’re right,” Natasha agreed. “I prefer more simple lines but thought I’d do something different for my wedding.”

      “No,” Sage interjected. “Your gown should definitely echo your personality.” She walked over to a nearby rack and selected a dress. “Now, I think that this one looks like you, Natasha.”

      “Oh, my…” Natasha murmured as she fingered the soft, delicate chiffon. “This is stunning.”

      Sage agreed. “You should try it on.”

      Anna, the bridal consultant standing nearby, walked over to them. “I’ll take this to the dressing room.”

      “Ari told me that I could have my dress designed, but I think I’d rather buy one off the rack.” Natasha pressed the dress against her body. “I really love this one.”

      “Try it on,” Sage encouraged.

      She strolled around the store, pausing every now and then to look at a gown. Sage already knew how she wanted her dress to look. While Natasha wasn’t interested in having a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, Sage felt otherwise.

      Natasha walked out of the dressing room with the assistance of Anna. She looked like a vision from heaven in the eggshell-tinted strapless gown made of Tomen chiffon and lace embellished with Swarovski crystals and a sweetheart neckline. The unbelievable draping across Natasha’s torso completed the elegant vision.

      “So what do you think?” Natasha prompted.