I smiled at his optimism. “Exactly.”
“So, you’re actually a college lecturer for art history? Did Lacey get any of what she was saying right?”
Laughing, I nodded. “Lacey may talk a lot, but at least she’s talking with the knowledge to back it up.”
“Well that’s something,” he said dryly.
“What is it you do?”
“I’m an optician.”
“Really?” I grinned. “I’ve never met an optician before. I mean of course I’ve met an optician because I go to one every two years but not outside of the actual opticians…” I wrinkled my nose at my rambling but it only made Jack laugh.
“I got what you meant. I can assure you, it’s not the most interesting job, although I do enjoy watching people’s reactions when I lean in close to inspect their eyes. You’ve got the ones who tense up, completely uncomfortable because I’ve stepped over the personal space line. Then you’ve got the heavy mouth breathers… I don’t even want to go there. And my personal favorite… the people who are struggling not to get the giggles over it.”
I laughed. “I’m the last.”
Jack chuckled. “I thought you might be.”
I fell easily into conversation with him, laughing and chatting about everyday nonsense as we finished off a glass of wine and started another.
We’d found a corner where we could hear each other over the noise of the party and I thought nothing of our amiable chitchat until I lifted my left hand to smooth my hair back from my face.
Jack’s eyes caught on my hand and he grew still. To my surprise, disappointment entered his expression. “You’re married?”
I tensed, realizing he’d only just now spotted my wedding rings.
Oh crap.
Did he… ?
“Yes, I’m married.”
He dragged his gaze over me and I suddenly felt very uncomfortable standing there in my cocktail dress and heels. “Of course you’re married,” he said hollowly. “Why wouldn’t you be?”
“I thought you saw them.” I looked down at my wedding rings. “Did you think I was flirting?”
“Yes, I definitely did.” He stared at me intensely. “Are you sure you weren’t?”
“Of course I wasn’t,” I said indignantly. And I bloody well wasn’t!
He nodded. “No, I suppose you weren’t.”
We had just been talking. Friendly chatter. Nothing more!
He sighed and shook his head. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright.” I wanted to escape but I didn’t know how to do it without being rude.
Jack shot me a look, the spark of hope in it making me freeze. “Are you sure you’re happily married?”
“Yes, she fucking is.” Adam snarled at him, appearing at my side.
I looked up at him wide-eyed, as he wrapped his arm around my wrist and pulled me away.
“It’s not what you think,” I said to his back as he hauled me through the crowds. “Adam!”
But he wasn’t listening.