𝔪𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔪𝔢

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔦𝔵𝔱𝔢𝔢𝔫

forcing laughter, faking smiles.

Tuesday

Jacey clung to Tyler's side as they made their way around the many men and women at the meet-and-greet cocktail party. Jacey's red cocktail dress brought attention to her girlish figure and long legs, which caused many to stare. She never let Tyler's arm go as he showed her off to everyone in the room.

"Tyler Barlow of Lawrence and Associates, nice to meet you." After hearing those words, Jacey knew the attention would shortly turn to her. She stopped letting the anxiety of the night get to her and started paying attention to Tyler and the man in his mid-forties who was speaking with him.

"Who is the lovely pearl on your arm tonight?" The man asked Tyler.

"Jacey King, mon amour," Tyler stated with a slight French accent.

"Roosevelt Prevost," the gentleman introduced himself to Jacey and reached out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Prevost," Jacey said politely, taking his hand and shaking it. Roosevelt turned Jacey's hand slightly and kissed it, something that many men had done over the course of the night. Jacey didn't know if it was polite or if she was in a room filled with perverts. Either way, Jacey's first goal was to scrub her hand once she returned back to her and Tyler's room. Jacey took her hand back and brushed it against Tyler's jacket quickly, trying not to make it too noticeable. Jacey knew tonight was for Tyler and played along for him.

"Call me Roosevelt, sweetie!" He suggested with a wink.

"Sweetie? I believe that's my territory, Mr. Prevost. Or can I call you Roosevelt as well?" Tyler intervened. He didn't like the way Roosevelt looked at Jacey, and he knew Jacey was uncomfortable.

"I'm just being playful, my boy," Roosevelt explained.

"Playing is for the playground," Tyler said bluntly.

"This isn't far off, my boy." Roosevelt raised his eyebrows to Tyler.

"Well that would make us all children and it would be passed your bedtime, therefore goodnight Mr. Prevost," Tyler stated then escorted Jacey away from him.

"Thank you," she whispered as she held him tighter.

"I'm sorry. I know this isn't fun for you," he admitted.

"This is just as painful as my prom was for you," she informed him. He let out a small chuckle and then kissed her on the head, which caused her to smile.

"I love you," he said genuinely.

"I know," she taunted.

"I hadn't told you that in a while; I didn't want you to forget."

"Good... 'cause I love you." They both laughed a bit as they noticed a couple coming towards them. 'Maybe this time won't be so bad,' Jacey thought.