Page 22

22

Jack

I wasn’t lying when I told Gisella she looks incredible. I had to control myself the entire drive to the party so I didn’t just drive straight to my house.

When we arrive at the hotel, two cars are in front of us in the valet line. I periodically steal glances in Gisella’s direction. She’s staring straight ahead with her hands clasped in her lap, where she pulled away from me a few minutes ago. Reaching over, I put my hand over both of hers. “Are you nervous?”

An uncertain smile plays on her pouty lips. “Yeah, a little. I don’t know everyone, which is a little overwhelming when I’m going to a party basically by myself.”

With the hand not holding hers, I reach across and grab my forearm. Then I grab my bicep. “That’s strange.”

Gisella is looking at me like I’ve officially lost it. “What in the hell are you doing? ”

“I was just making sure I was real since you said you were by yourself.”

She rolls her eyes and looks out the window. “You know what I mean. You aren’t going to stay with me the whole night, and I only know, like, four people. Heck, I barely know Alice. You’ll have people you want to talk to without me tagging along.”

“Look at me.”

After a beat, she does, biting the inside of her lip.

“I would love to spend the whole night with you.”

Her eyebrows shoot up as what I said dawns on me, and I let out a low laugh. “While what you are thinking is very much true, that isn’t what I meant.” I lean across the middle console and press my lips to hers. She doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back. Releasing my hold on her hands to slide my hand around her neck, I pull her closer. The tug of her grip on my suit jacket lapels turns me on even more, and I deepen the kiss.

Knowing we’re on borrowed time, I slowly pull back before I get carried away. Her cheeks are flushed, and her green eyes glassy. I love her reactions to me.

She’s breathtaking.

Her hands smooth down the lapels of my jacket from where she was gripping them, and I settle back in my seat and drive the few feet up to where the two valet attendants are waiting. Pushing my car door open, I take the ticket from the kid working the valet. By the time I walk around the car, the other attendant has already helped Gisella out.

When I reach her, I settle my hand on her hip and pull her side into my chest as I kiss the side of her head. Her hair is soft and fragrant against my lips, and I can’t help but breathe her in for a moment. As she leans into me, my chest swells with satisfaction that she’s mine, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

We can hear the band before we get to the small ballroom, the party already in full swing. When I mentioned the idea of throwing a party with Alice, she thought I meant a small get-together at the office. But Nate and I wanted to do something more extravagant to celebrate all she’s done for us. She’s meant so much to Nate and me over the years. She and her family have become our family. I don’t have a ton of family, and Nate is close with his two sisters, but their parents died when he was younger, so Alice fills a lot of roles in our lives. I told her to invite whoever she wanted. This resulted in about 150 of her family and closest friends, including all past and present employees of Nash Security, being invited to tonight’s event. We had almost everyone RSVP that they’d be in attendance, which is a testament to how amazing of a person Alice is.

I pull one side of the double doors open and usher Gisella inside.

“Wow.”

Gisella’s sentiment is correct. The room looks fantastic. Floating orbs of light hanging from the ceiling at varying lengths give the room a mystical feel. The lights are dim, but the lilac tablecloths and the ornate crystal and floral centerpieces brighten the space. There’s a long buffet down one side of the room and two bars on opposite sides. I asked Alice whether she wanted to plan the party or would prefer it be handled for her. She chose to help with the planning, and from the look of the room, she did a great job.

I spy Alice across the room, talking to a few people. “Come on, let’s go say hi to the guest of honor.”

Alice turns in our direction just as we approach. A look of confusion crosses her face as she takes in Gisella and me, my arm around her waist, holding her close to my side. Her eyes widen as her face finally splits into the biggest grin. “Oh my goodness! This makes me so happy for so many reasons!” she shrieks as she drags me into a tight hug.

Laughing, I hug the older woman back. I didn’t fully explain my relationship with Gisella to Alice, but I knew she suspected something.

Releasing me, she swats my chest. “I thought she was just a client. You should have told me it was more.” She turns to Gisella, who’s looking slightly uncomfortable and embarrassed. I probably should have told her that Alice didn’t know about whatever this is between us. But I’m done holding back, and I’m certainly not hiding it. Not that I will ever admit this to Nate, but I’m ready to embrace my inner romantic and see where this goes.

“Happy retirement, Alice!” Gisella stammers as Alice pulls her into a hug as well.

“Thank you, Ella.” She loosens her grip on Gisella, but holds on to her arms lightly, smiling at her warmly. “But I don’t care about that. I care about whatever this is with the two of you. That’s the best retirement present I could ask for.”

Gisella holds up the gift bag with a smile and a quirked eyebrow. “So, should I just throw this away, then?”

Alice and a few of the people she had been talking to break into laughter, and Alice pulls the bag from Gisella’s hand. “Absolutely not. I can get more than one present from someone.”

After Alice introduces us to the group, which includes a neighbor and some family, Gisella settles back into my side, and my hand finds its way to her hip. Pulling her into me, I lean over and say quietly against her ear, “I’m going to go get a drink. Do you want anything? ”

“A white wine, please.” She smiles up at me. Some of the nervousness that tormented her earlier has melted away.

I take advantage of everyone being lost in conversation to press another kiss on Gisella’s hair and inhale her intoxicating scent before heading to the bar with my chest filled with satisfaction that she’s here with me, celebrating someone so integral to my life.