Looking For Love

The secret

A/N:Hi guys this is a lengthy chapter but it's all good because the end is worth it aka smut.

Jack and Vivian walked in together,  her arm cuffed around his. She was grinning ear to ear when they reached the table that had Eric and his wife; Tara already seated.

Jack looked around the room for Jasmine.  She wasn't anywhere to be seen.  It was probably best not to start with:
"Where's Jasmine?"

He gave his attention back to Vivian when she cleared her throat awaiting for him to pull out her chair.

"Let me get that for you," Jack said pulling out the white wooden chair.

"Jack! Wow! It's been a whole year since we spoke. Have you lost weight? You look fantastic.
How have you been? Your date is so lovely." 
Tara asked genuinely interested.

Vivian batted her eyes, soaking up her compliment, she had hoped Jack would have given her one as well. But nope.

" It was-- rough. Now, I feel like my old self. Like college days, Jack Gladney. I'm looking at life from a different view. Not so much of a glass half empty, but a glass half full view. Things could be worse, I could be dead." He picked fun at the fact he was exposed to the toxic airborne event but still kicking.

No one at the table knew how to react to that joke. To play it save no one laughed.

Fuck. Tough crowd...

A finger swiped behind Jack's shoulder blades suddenly. Literally sent shivers up his spine.

"Lighten up guys, laugh, it's a joke. DARK. But it's a joke. He's not asking for pity. " Jasmine interrupts returning from the bathroom.

His face lit up when he got the full view of her in his peripheral
She wore a black strapless velvet dress with a high slit, showing off her leg.  Silk black gloves that stretched to her elbow.

He knows Jasmine doesn't dress to impress, she dressed to express. 
But just this one time, Jack severely wanted it to be for him.
If looks could kill, they'd all be dead.

"Oh Jack, please do share your secret. I'd love to feel like my college days.  I was a real live wire you know. A spitting image of Jasmine once upon a time. ASK ERIC. He'll tell you! I was sought by many suitors before I met him.

Said Tara, who was a little slushed, she had pregamed before this little shindig.

"Tara, please..." Her husband muttered while taking a sip of water.

"What? It was ages ago! Now, I've passed the torch to Jasmine.  She's the one with all the suitors at the door. "

Jack's brows furrowed while his eyes lay directly on Jasmine when he hears there are 'suitors at her door'.

'Oh, so she has men at her doorstep? What the fuck? I thought it was just me.'

"Hmm. I guess she likes keeping her options open. " Jack replies to her mother vaguely irritated but keeping his composure.

" THAT was months ago.
.. I promise that's not happening anymore." She explained to her mother but directed it towards Jack.  She needed to explain the situation. It had made her come off like she was two-timing Jack.

Jack unbeknownsivly nodded his head to her explaining it. Believing her.

"Soo did Heinrich help you with your tie? I know just how difficult it is for you to tie anything with those bear claws. " Jasmine teases him.
He fiddled with his burgundy tie now since she bought attention to it.

"It was Steffie. She did do a first-rate job. She also picked out the color."

"Kudos to Steffie. "

"Jasmine you look ..gorgeous.." Jack said as if he forgot he was in public. Spewing his inner thoughts without thinking.