Five Star Temptation. Jacquelin Thomas

for you.”

      Natasha continued to gaze at her reflection.

      “I’m loving it,” Sage said. “I can’t wait for my brother to see you in this gown.”

      “I love it, too,” Natasha responded. “This is the dress for me. My search is over for the perfect wedding gown.” She glanced over at Anna and said, “Would you bring out the dress I selected for the bridesmaids, please? I want Sage’s opinion on the choice.”

      Anna walked into a back room and returned a few minutes later, carrying a stunning knee-length satin sheath in a purple/platinum duet.

      Sage fell in love with the draped strapless sweetheart neckline with natural waist and draped skirt. “Natasha, it’s gorgeous. I love it.”

      “I thought that you would,” she responded. “It’s going to look great on you, Zaire and my sister.”

      Sage held the dress up to her and eyed her reflection in the mirror. “This is a beautiful dress. I especially like that it’s one I can wear again. I have a closet full of bridesmaid gowns that were only for that one day.”

      “I’ll set up a dressing room for you,” Anna stated. “While you change, I’ll have the seamstress come out to perform the fitting for Ms. LeBlanc.”

      Sage hummed softly as she strolled into a nearby dressing room to try it on. She couldn’t wait to see how the dress looked on her body.

      “You look beautiful,” Natasha said when Sage walked out. “You need very few alterations. It nearly fits you perfectly.”

      Sage agreed. “Natasha, I really love this dress. This dress is so me.”

      “How do you think Zaire will feel about it?”

      “Natasha, she’s going to love it, as well,” Sage assured her. “My sister and I have similar taste when it comes to clothes. We’re also the same size, so you don’t have to worry about having her dress altered. Besides, she’s planning to come out here in a couple of weeks. Zaire says that school has been hectic for her and she needs a little break. I know that grad school is intense, but I think my little sister is missing the family. She can’t just leave Atlanta and be home in an hour anymore.”

      “My sister and I are the same way.”

      “I’m looking forward to meeting your family, especially Natalie,” Sage stated. “It sounds like she and I have a lot in common.”

      “You do,” Natasha responded.

      Sage waited patiently while the seamstress worked with Natasha to make sure the gown fit her body perfectly for her big day. Every now and then, her eyes would travel around the shop, gazing at row after row of wedding gowns. My time will come, she silently assured herself.

      * * *

      When Sage returned to the hotel, she glanced around before walking through the entrance.

      I wonder what happened to that homeless man, she thought. Maybe he was somewhere having a hot meal; at least she hoped he had spent some of the money she had given him on a good meal. He didn’t resemble a drug addict or alcoholic.

      She shook her head in confusion.

      It was strange, but Sage felt as if their souls were connected. The feeling was so strong that she knew deep down that she had not seen the last of this man who had left such a strong impression on her.

      Sage made her way up to her penthouse, humming softly. She was looking forward to relaxing in a hot bath.

      An image of the homeless man flittered through her mind, and Sage suddenly felt guilty. She felt blessed beyond measure, but she also knew about the thousands of people who lived on the streets all over the country. Many of them had given up on hope for a better future.

      Sage knew that she could not save the world, but she wanted to find a way to help the people she could. One person at a time.

      Chapter 3

      “How long have you been living on the streets?” Ryan asked before biting into his hamburger. He chewed slowly, savoring the combination of lettuce, tomato and grilled onions. After living on the streets of New York, he had a renewed appreciation for something as simple as a hamburger.

      “Just a few days off and on since my boyfriend left,” Paige answered before wiping her mouth on the edge of the paper napkin. “I was able to stay at the shelter for four nights, but last night they didn’t have any more beds. I’ve been trying to find a job, but I don’t have a babysitter, so I have to take Cassie with me.”

      “Have you considered moving back home?” Ryan questioned.

      Paige nodded. “I could do that, but it’s not what I want. My mama has enough to take care of, and she don’t need me and Cassie adding to her burden. She raised six kids all by herself, and now she is raising three of my nieces. All I need is a job, and I can take it from there. I’m not afraid of hard work.”

      “What type of work are you looking for?” Ryan inquired.

      “Anything,” Paige responded. “I have general office skills and only two years of college, but I’ll clean houses or hotels, babysit—anything outside of breaking the law.”

      Ryan smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I don’t think I have enough money to bail you out of jail.”

      She laughed. “Ryan, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

      “I’m glad I could help.”

      Paige bit into her burger. “This is so delicious. I don’t remember the last time I had a hamburger.” She shook her head sadly. “I just wish that I could find a job. I’d work two jobs if it would help me get a place to live and take care of my baby.”

      Ryan wiped his mouth. “Paige, I’m going to pay for you and Cassie to stay in a hotel for a month. Hopefully, this will give you some time to find work and a babysitter.”

      She gasped in surprise and leaned forward, saying, “That lady must have given you a lot of money. Ryan, I can’t have you doing this for me. You should be spending this money on yourself.”

      He shook his head no. “I don’t have a new baby, Paige.”

      She teared up once more. “Ryan, you don’t even know me. Why are you being so kind?”

      “This woman I ran into earlier knows nothing about me, yet she was kind enough to care and try to make my life a little more comfortable. I’m just paying it forward.”

      “We can share the hotel room as friends,” Paige suggested. “You can get one with two beds.”

      Ryan was touched by her sensitivity. “I’ll be just fine, Paige. You don’t have to worry about me.”

      “You really don’t have to do this, Ryan. I’ll manage somehow.”

      He shook his head. “It’s all settled, Paige. You and Cassie will stay at the hotel. I feel confident that you are going to find a job soon. I’ll watch the baby for you when you have interviews if you need me to.”

      “How do I reach you?” she asked. “Don’t tell me that this woman gave you a cell phone, too.”

      Ryan chuckled. “I’ll come by and check with you every day.”

      “Why won’t you just stay at the hotel with me? Wouldn’t that be easier? Actually, I think I’d feel safer if you were there,” Paige confessed. “Cassie’s a pretty good baby, too. She only wakes up once a night usually.”

      “Maybe just a couple of nights,” he responded after a moment.

      They left the restaurant and walked to the bus stop. Ryan removed Paige’s contents from the shopping cart and carried the meager possessions.

      Although he secretly preferred to set them