Page 23

23

Ella

A s I watch Jack walk away, contentment radiates through me. After a few more moments, Alice draws me back with a probing tone. “So, I know I just met you a few days ago, and this might be a bit forward, but I didn’t realize you and Jack were together.”

I blush. “Well, it’s very new. And we really haven’t put a label on it. But since I’m also kind of a client…” I trail off.

Alice has a sympathetic look lining her face when she reveals, “I could tell something was up when he told me about what has been happening to you after you came in the other day. I have never seen him so”—she gestures vaguely into the air—“emotional about a client. Makes much more sense now.”

My heart starts to race. “Really?”

She grasps my arm lovingly. “Really, my dear. He’s not someone who shows emotion easily unless it has to do with someone he cares about.” Her sad gaze finds Jack at the bar. “He had a hard life, but he’s worked so hard to be the wonderful man he is.”

Her love and concern for Jack move me. My chest tightens with emotion. “He’s pretty wonderful.”

Alice’s face is stern when she says, “I understand this is still new, but all I can ask is that even if it doesn’t work out, you do your best not to break his heart.”

Just the thought of unintentionally breaking Jack’s heart makes me feel distraught. “I promise I won’t.”

A hand slides around my waist. “What are you promising not to do?”

I glance over my shoulder as Jack hands me my glass of wine.

Before I can think of what to say, Alice speaks up. “Don’t be so nosy, Jack. It’s unbecoming.”

A laugh pops out of me, which earns me a teasing glare from Jack. We stay a few more minutes for them to tease each other good-naturedly. I can imagine he’s going to miss working with her every day.

“You want to go get some food?” Jack smooths his hand down my waist to my hip.

My breath quickens, and goosebumps slither down my arms at the caress. “Sure,” I croak.

Leading me to a table, we set our drinks down to join the buffet line. The line moves quickly so it isn’t long until we are back at our table. As we settle in and start eating, we fall into easy conversation. I’m transported back to that first night at dinner before it was ruined. It’s shocking how easy it is to talk to him, even if it’s about nothing. He’s so engaged and listens intently to everything I have to say.

As he finishes eating, he leans back in his chair and drapes his hand over the back of mine. His fingers lazily skim over my back, nearly making me purr. The only thing I would change about this dress is to make it backless so his fingers would be on my skin rather than the dress.

His eyes track my every movement as I shift subtly in my seat and meet his gaze. A small smile plays across his full lips as he says, “I cannot get over how sexy you look tonight.”

A hum crawls up my throat, and I slide my hand down Jack’s thigh, stopping a few inches above his knee. As I lean my shoulder into his chest even more, his body heat creates a comforting blanket around me. He moves my hair behind my shoulder, causing a shiver to run down my spine. My stomach dips as he moves closer and places his lips on my neck, right below my ear. The sensation of his facial hair tickling my skin has my thighs clenching. It takes everything in me not to moan. My grip tightens on his thigh, nipples peak, and with every movement, the shift of fabric against them heightens every sensation.

He laughs softly, his lips grazing my ear. “Everything okay over there, baby? You’re squirming.”

My stomach swoops at his call-out, and I pull away a little so I can glare at him. “I-”

Before I can tell him it’s his fault, I’m interrupted by Nate walking up to our table and slapping both hands down on Jack’s shoulders in greeting. “Jacky, good to see you, man. And Gisella, I must say, you’re looking magnificent.”

I can’t help but snicker when Jack growls at his best friend. “Her name is Ella, you dick.”

That’s rich, considering Jack has never called me Ella since the day we met except to introduce me the other day.

Nate laughs at his friend and leans down to give me a hug that lasts a few moments longer than it usually would have. It’s extra awkward, considering how close Jack and I are sitting.

“What the fuck, Nate?” Jack complains from the other side of Nate’s arm.

“Oh, calm down, buddy. Just saying hi to your girl here.” Nate sinks heavily down in the chair next to Jack.

“So Nate, did you bring a date?” I ask.

Nate’s a handsome guy. Maybe an inch taller than Jack, but he isn’t as wide. He has more of a fit, muscular build compared to Jack’s bulk. He has thick, sandy brown hair that is longer on top but trimmed on the sides, and it’s always a little unruly. His brown eyes are framed by long lashes that make me envious. Nate has this light, playful air about him that contrasts Jack and Ian’s seriousness.

“Nope, flying solo tonight. Why? This one not cutting it?” With a smirk, he wags his eyebrows at me.

“I’m cutting it just fine,” Jack answers for me, his arm going protectively around my shoulders.

Nate laughs, and his grin widens. This is the first time I have seen them outside of the office, and it’s refreshing for them to be relaxed and enjoying themselves.

They start to talk about various work topics and sports as I relax into Jack. The constant tickle of his fingers stroking my arm is hypnotic and soothing, and I begin zoning out as their deep voices fill the air. I watch people mill around the beautifully decorated room, laughing and talking. Everyone is genuinely having a good time. Alice makes the rounds to different groups, greeting everyone warmly.

I smile, noticing Tyler walking toward our table. My smile widens when I see who is walking behind him.

When Tyler and Becky reach us, Nate and Jack both nod to Tyler in greeting. Nate stands and gives Becky a hug. He says something, and she cackles with laughter. When he releases her, she rounds the table to us to hug Jack, and then pulls me in for one too.

“Ella, I’m so glad to see you again!”

“You too!”

Tyler interrupts our greetings. “I hate to break this up, but I came to get Nate and Jack. Alice wants to get on with the speeches. She says she’s ready to have cake, and you can’t have cake before the speeches. I didn’t know that was a rule, but she’s very insistent.”

Nate tips his head toward the front of the room. “Let’s go, lover boy. That’s our cue.”

Jack’s hands move to my hips and twist me toward him. He pinches my chin and tilts my face up with one finger until our eyes meet. “Will you be okay for a few minutes?” I incline my head in a nod as much as possible with his grip on my chin. I’m smiling as he presses his lips to mine in a quick kiss.

He turns and follows Nate to where Alice is standing with a hotel employee setting up a microphone.

When I turn back to Becky, her grin makes me blush. “I love this so much.”

I laugh, and we take our seats.

The employee appears to give Nate and Jack instructions on the mics before leaving them to address the crowd.

Jack steps forward. He commands attention, not only with his ridiculous good looks but with his strong, assured demeanor.

“Good evening, everyone. I’ve been told we can’t eat cake until we make this speech. So bear with us.” A light laughter filters through the crowd, and Jack continues. “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight to honor Alice. I know every single one of you can relate to the impact she has had on all our lives.”

He clears his throat, and my heart expands at his show of emotion.

“Six years ago, when Nate and I started our company, Alice was our first employee. Not only has she been one of the main reasons we have been as successful as we have, but she also became part of our families.”

Alice wipes her cheeks as she shakes her head. She says something to Jack I can’t hear. With a adoring grin shining her way, he turns back to everyone.

“She says that’s a lie. But we all know it’s true. Because we all know the kind of person Alice is.”

Nate steps up next to Jack. “Jack’s right. Alice is one of the best people I have ever met. This is certainly not goodbye, because let’s be honest, there’s no getting rid of us now, but we really are going to miss seeing your smiling face almost every single day.” He turns to her and raises his glass. “To Alice.”

“To Alice!” Boisterous cheers rise from the crowd as Nate and Jack take turns hugging a sobbing but smiling Alice.

I dab the corner of my eye, and Becky laughs next to me. “Same, girl.”

I turn to find her handing me a tissue as she pulls one out for herself.

Jack and Nate’s speech was moving, and it’s clear how much they all love each other. But the thought of being in a group like this has me even more emotionally charged. I have little doubt that being with Jack alone would make me undeniably happy, but if I were to get this amazing family of both blood and choosing in addition to him? That would truly be something beyond what I could have ever imagined for myself .

And to top it all off, he looks mouthwatering up there, commanding the room’s attention with his confidence and stature. His face, muscular build, and broad shoulders don’t hurt either. I take a deep breath as I decide to take the ending of our evening into my own hands.

Now, I just need to not chicken out by the time Jack gets back to me.