Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 350: Favorites

After the phone call with Genevieve, Dawn stood in the bedroom, checking her reflection for the third time, while Jamal showered in the bathroom.

The dress hugged her body like it had been made just for her. It was a deep wine colour, smooth and tight, with soft drawstrings running down the sides that she could pull to make it shorter or looser. She adjusted them slightly, then smiled at herself.

She felt bold, confident, and beautiful.

She had ordered it from Lucy’s online clothing store earlier in the day after Aaron and Debbie had left with Josh.

Satisfied with her look, she checked to see the list of fancy restaurants Bella had recommended, and she decided to make a reservation at the top one on the list.

Just as she finished doing that, she heard the bathroom door open.

Jamal stepped out, still drying his hair with a towel. He lifted his head—and when he saw her, the towel slipped a little in his hands.

For a long second, he just stared at her like his brain had stopped working.

Dawn laughed, the sound light and teasing. "Close your mouth, Jam. You’re drooling."

He swallowed and let out a slow breath. "Wow," he said huskily. "You look exactly like the first night I saw you at the club."

Her smile widened. "I do, huh?"

He nodded. "Yeah. You have that same look."

"That was the plan," she said proudly. "I wanted you to remember."

He walked closer, eyes still roaming over her. "Where did you get this dress?"

"Lucy’s website," she replied. "It got delivered earlier."

His eyes lit up with a naughty gleam. "Well, you know what happened the last time you were dressed in such a dress."

Dawn giggled. "What happened?"

"Well, I guess you forgot because the result of what happened that night left us for the evening. Need me to give you another?" Jamal asked with a grin.

Dawn threw back her head and laughed as she moved away from him. "No, thanks." She picked up a trench coat from the bed and slipped it over her shoulders. "For our fancy dinner, I’ll be decent," she said, tying the belt loosely. "For the club..." she lifted one shoulder, letting the coat fall open slightly. "I’ll take it off."

Jamal groaned softly and pulled her into his arms. "Have I told you how crazy I am about you?"

She rested her hands on his chest. "I have a fair idea," she said gently. "And I’m crazy about you too. By the way, I’ve spoken with Genevieve. She agreed to join us. I told her you’ll text the details to Stefan."

"Thank you." He kissed her then. The kiss was slow, deep, and full of passion. When she felt his hands tighten around her waist, she laughed and tapped his backside.

"Go get dressed," she said. "Unless you want us to miss dinner. I already made a reservation."

He laughed, stepping back. "Yes, ma’am."

Together, they stood in front of his closet, picking out clothes. As they did that, Jamal made a quiet note in his mind to clear space up for her and maybe fill it with clothes so that the next time she visits she’d feel more at home.

While Jamal dressed up, Dawn used his phone to send a text to Mari, Emily, Callan, and Stefan, informing them of the club location and meet up time.

After dressing up, they left the house. Just as they settled in the car and Jamal started driving, Dawn’s phone rang.

"It’s Lucy," she announced cheerfully before answering and placing the call on speaker.

"Hi, darling! I’ve missed you," Lucy’s pleasant voice filled the car. "How are you doing?"

"I’m fine," Dawn replied, smiling broadly. "How are you? Are you enjoying your trip? We’ve missed you so much."

Jamal raised a brow at that, and Dawn grinned at him.

"I’m fine. We got home a moment ago," Lucy said. "I trust you’ve been having fun."

"We have. I can’t wait to see you," she said, and Jamal scowled.

"Lucy, you’re playing favourites," he accused lightly. "Ever since Dawn showed up, you don’t care about me anymore. You haven’t even mentioned my name in this conversation."

Lucy laughed. "You’ve had me for years, Jamal. It’s Dawn’s turn now. Besides I know you are alright. If you weren’t, she wouldn’t sound so lively."

"That’s not an excuse, but I guess I’ll accept it," Jamal muttered while Dawn grinned.

"Jamal, quit stressing my wife," Tom growled from the background making them laugh. "Dawn, I’ll come pick you and Josh up tomorrow."

Dawn exchanged a look with Jamal at that but before she could respond, Jamal did.

"You don’t need to come pick them up. I’ll bring them over. Josh is with my grandfather, so I’ll get him from there and bring them."

"There’s no need to get him from there if he’s okay and you’re both okay. Your grandfather deserves to spend some time with him," Tom told Jamal then spoke to Dawn again, "I’ll come get you in the morning, Dawn. Let’s hangout and we can go see the therapist."

"I thought Lucy was going with me to see the therapist?" Dawn asked with a confused frown.

"She was, but now, I am. We need to spend more time together so you can learn to relax around me..."

"So you can learn to relax around your aunt too," Jamal teased, keeping his eyes on the road. "I’m sure it was Lucy’s idea. Quit sounding like you came up with the idea."

Lucy and Dawn laughed while Tom sighed deeply. "It’s either Harry is rubbing off on you or you Jonas men know how to get under my skin. Keep this up and I’ll make sure when Dawn comes home you won’t spend a night under my roof."

"Under your roof?" Jamal asked with a snort. "It’s Lucy’s roof too, and I’ll always be welcome under her roof because she is my relative and she loves me. You need to treat me with care, Tom. I’m your aunt’s man, and your wife’s relative. You should treat me with more respect," Jamal threatened playfully making both ladies laugh.

"In case you have forgotten, I’m your ment..."

Before Tom could finish, Jamal spoke again. "You don’t have to apologize. I forgive you. We have to leave now. Your aunt and I are on our way out. We have a date. Be good, okay?"

They could hear Lucy laughing loudly in the background before Jamal hung up the call.

Dawn cackled, "Isn’t he going to be mad?"

Jamal chuckled. "He knows I’m kidding. I’ve always loved to annoy him, so he’s used to it. It’s just that your relationship with him gives me another avenue to get on his nerves."

Dawn giggled. "I wish I could see his face after you hung up the call."

Jamal chuckled. "So, you missed them a lot, huh? I guess you were thinking of them while I was with you."

Dawn giggled. "Both have nothing to do with the each other. Besides I’m certain you missed them while we were together in Westend."

Jamal made a face but didn’t argue. This made Dawn laugh.

"Now that they are back," he murmured, "I guess you’ll finally go on that date with Tom."

Dawn smiled. "Yes. I wonder what it’s going to be like."

Jamal looked at her. "Tom is really cool. Just relax and enjoy his company."

"Sure. I will."

"So, how did you cope with my grandfather?" Jamal asked, changing the subject.

Her eyes softened. "I love him. I loved his company. He brought gifts."

"For Josh?" Jamal asked.

"Yeah," she nodded, then smiled wider. "And for me."

His brows lifted. "What did he bring you?"

"Letters."

Jamal glanced at her. "What letters?"

"The ones you wrote when you were a kid," she said softly. "The ones you asked him to send to me."

His breath caught and he looked at her again. "He still had them?"

She nodded. "Every single one. I read them all. More than once. I loved them."

Before he could say anything, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Jamal. I love you even more today, than I did yesterday."