She Made a List of the Perfect Man — Then Fell for the One Who Failed Every Rule
Chapter 6
The company’s biggest annual meeting was approaching.
Michael was scheduled to meet several international investors.
The presentation needed to look flawless.
Jessica’s fashion instincts unexpectedly became valuable.
One afternoon, Michael walked into her office.
“I need your help.”
Jessica looked up.
“With what?”
“My wardrobe.”
She stared at him.
“My wardrobe?”
“You’ve been criticizing my ties for three weeks.”
“I have never criticized your ties.”
“You told Daniel that my blue tie made me look like a bank manager from 1998.”
Jessica froze.
“How did you hear that?”
“I have ears.”
She laughed.
Michael actually smiled.
It was the first time she had seen him laugh.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll help.”
They spent the afternoon moving between stores.
Jessica chose jackets.
Michael rejected them.
He chose shirts.
Jessica rejected those.
They argued over shoes.
They laughed over a ridiculous scarf.
For the first time, Jessica saw Michael outside his office.
He wasn’t cold.
He wasn’t distant.
He was funny.
He loved old movies.
He hated crowded restaurants.
He had traveled extensively but rarely talked about it.
And when Jessica asked why he worked so hard, his expression changed.
“My father built this company,” he said.
“What happened to him?”
“He died when I was twenty-seven.”
Jessica softened.
“Sorry.”
Michael nodded.
“I promised him I’d protect what he built.”
Jessica looked at him differently.
The perfect man on her list suddenly seemed less interesting than the imperfect man standing beside her.
She didn’t understand why.
That frightened her.
Because Michael wasn’t supposed to be part of the story.
