Page 77 of Flyboy
"Jackson!" a sharp nasally voice squawked.
Alyssa turned to see a woman, who couldn't be more than ten years older than her, stalking toward them. Her reed-thin frame was decked out in neck-to-toe gold with white accents, and made Alyssa think of the talking candlestick in Beauty and the Beast. She had to stifle a snort of laughter at the thought. Obviously, the outfit was meant to match the room’s decor, which to her mind seemed stupid because who wanted to come to an event of this scale and blend in to the background?
"Emmaline." Jack's hand tightened on Alyssa's waist, tucking her closer to his side.
"Are you not going to compliment me on the room?" Emmaline demanded.
Jeez, one sentence and Alyssa wanted to plug her ears. How the hell did people put up with that voice?
Jack smiled and said, "The team did a great job as usual."
"The team? You think theteamdid this?" She swept her arm out dramatically. "Yourteamis incapable of such expertise; that's whyImust step in every year or risk the Townsend name becoming a laughingstock. You really must take more interest in the company you head, Jackson. If you can't or won't, then the board needs to look at appointing someone else."
With those words Emmaline flounced off and left Alyssa gaping.
"A pleasure as usual, Barracuda," Maryn called out then muttered, “Your yearly nip and tuck is healing well.”
The guys, except Jack, chuckled and Alyssa had to roll her lips between her teeth to stop from laughing with them. She was glad her first meeting with Jack's stepmother had gone so quickly and without any attention on her.
Which, considering what she knew about the woman, confused her. "Ah, Jack?"
"Hmm…?"
"Was it odd she didn't ask you who you had your arm wrapped around?"
Roark eyed her then looked at Jack. "Alyssa's right. You've never shown up to one of these events with a woman on your arm; that alone should prompt a comment but the fact she completely ignored not only Alyssa but the rest of us is even more concerning." Roark turned his gaze to the room, searching until he found what—or who—he was looking for and his eyes narrowed. "She's up to something."
"I honestly don't give a shit. Emmaline can't do what she seems to believe she can no matter what rumors or discontent she spreads through Townsend. It's a waste of time and effort trying to figure it out."
"I'll agree with the waste of time and effort," Maryn murmured into Alyssa’s ear.
She tried to contain her smile. The dynamic between Jack and his stepmother remained a mystery to her, and after today she definitely didn't have the energy or inclination to ask questions. What she did have, was the need to sit. "Can we find our table?"
"What's wrong? Are you okay? Do you need to go back to the room?" Jack peppered her with questions as he tightened his hold and took most of her weight.
"I'm fine." She smiled up at him. "I'd just like to sit down out of the way."
"You're not in the way." He cupped her face, his thumb stroking the skin below the bandage covering her cut. "You are the way."
Alyssa's insides melted. How could any woman not fall for a man who said things like that? And with Jack, words were matched by deeds. He took care of her, worried about her. She wanted to say he loved her, but he'd never spoken those words. They may have been in their vows but neither of them had mentioned love before or since.
And honestly, she wasn't sure that's what she felt for Jack. She'd never been in love. Never allowed anyone close enough to glance at her heart, forget about getting inside it.
Was she in love with Jack?
Was he in love with her?
It would make life easy if they did love each other. They wouldn't need to get a divorce, for one. Not that they'd talked about that either.
So much they hadn't talked about. She'd been so focused on Penny and getting her permanently, making sure Gina had no chance of taking her back, she'd pushed everything except her job aside. But with Penny now hers, Alyssa had the time to worry about other things.
Like the man currently staring down at her with concern.
"I'm fine, Jack. I'd just like to sit down and have a drink."
"You can't have alcohol. They gave you pain meds." Jack glanced at Roark. "Right?"
"Hey!" She gave his side a pinch. "Don't ask him. I'm the patient. I'm also an adult and can speak for myself."
