Page 78 of Flyboy
Jack brought his gaze back to her. "Sorry. That's not what—"
"It's fine, Jack. I get that you're worried, but you don't need to be."
"I'll always worry about you."
Dammit. The man didn't know when to quit with his genuine care and concern. It made her chest tighten and the back of her nose sting. She blinked rapidly. She'd slap him if he made her mess up her makeup.
"C'mon," Keaton said, grabbing their attention. "Our table is up near the front."
Alyssa placed her hand on Jack's chest and smiled. "I promise you, I'm okay. I haven't had any meds other than the local they shot into my scalp."
Jack cringed. "Fuck. Please don't remind me." He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "Let's go find our seats."
They followed the others through the room, stopping occasionally for Jack to say hello to people he introduced her to. He didn't call her his wife, only offered her name, but she saw plenty of speculation and scrutinizing gazes. Especially when either of their rings were noticed.
She was surprised no one asked. There was no misunderstanding what those rings meant. Instead of commenting on it as they made their way to the front of the room, Alyssa waited until they were seated and had placed their drink order with a tuxedo-clad waiter.
Leaning into Jack, she whispered, "Why didn't anyone ask about our rings?"
"Politeness, I guess." He shrugged. "I'm sure someone will eventually."
"Hmm…seems odd."
"It might have something to do with whatever rumors Emmaline is circulating."
Maryn bent forward across Jack to say, "I think she's telling people you're quitting Townsend."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Maryn nodded. "The reporters outside asked about you walking away and I overheard a few people discussing you resigning as we came over here."
Dash dropped into the seat beside Alyssa. "Okay. We've got a decision to make. And fast."
"What has she done?" Jack asked.
"She's alerted the press to an announcement you'll be making later this evening. She’s hinted at you retiring from Townsend because you have something"—Dash's head tipped toward her—"someonemore interesting than the family company you were handed but never earned. Also, she may have referred to the someone astrailer park trash chick."
Alyssa gasped, Jack laughed, and Maryn muttered, "Bitch."
Dash grinned. "I knew you'd take it that way," he said to Jack.
"Okay. So, we make an announcement." Jack cupped her cheek, turning her face so her gaze met his. "I know this isn't ideal and probably not what you want to do after the day you've had, but I'd like you to join me on the stage when I go up to make my speech before the auction starts."
"Um…okay." She could contain her nerves long enough to stand beside him. He'd never really asked her to do anything before.
"I'd also like to announce our marriage."
"Oh."
"It will mean on the way out tonight, the press will be worse than when we came in."
She couldn't say anything. The walk in hadn't been all that bad but she hadn't enjoyed it.
"I'll get Roark to warn the team in Sunnyville. They'll need to be prepared."
"Sunnyville…Penny."
"She'll be fine. We'll make sure of that. But the other thing is." He swallowed hard. "The media will dig into you. They'll find out about Penny—"
