Red Alert/Red Notice (The "Super Jerk" Prequel)

8 - All the Things She Said

^^Above, chapter title credit: Song by Simple Minds.^^

{Raina}

I can tell when Geoff's hiding something. He gets this shifty look in his eyes, and tries to distract me with his comments and his kisses. I don't mind it when he kisses me, but it does bother me when it's because he doesn't want me prying. If there's one thing I know about marriage, it's that secrets can break it. And if they fester for too long, they'll all come bursting out at once.

But tonight, I can't let him see that I've figured him out. I have to be his wife first, and just like I do at every event, socialize and pretend I fit in with these people.

"Hey, look. There's Jake," Matt says from behind, when we've stepped into the ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Geoff turns his head, and I follow. I spot a head of red hair, with a group of men in tuxedoes. He's gotten it cut shorter, and he's grown into his height a little bit more. But it's definitely Jake. I recognize his wide grin even from here.

"Jake!" Matt booms, and I can feel the vibration in my chest.

His head pops up, and when his eyes land on us his grin gets bigger. As he jogs over, both Matt and Geoff detach themselves from us and go to meet him in the middle. They fist-bump and back-slap, and as they do, Tori and I exchange a glance.

"Boys," she says.

"You said it."

"Well, if it isn't Miss Raina Hardy!" Jake interrupts us by coming up next to me and pulling me into his side in a one-armed hug, and Tori into his other arm. "And Tori Radcliffe!"

"Hey, Jake." I smile up at him as he releases us. "Good to see you."

Tori mumbles something like a greeting, but just by the expression on her face I can tell she knows Jake's only going to pay attention to me.

"So, I think congratulations are in order," I say, noticing Tori turning to intercept Matt out of the corner of my eye. "Who is your lucky bride-to-be?"

"Oh, Adriana?" His face suddenly lights up. "I guess she's somewhere around here...haven't seen her since we walked in."

"Pretty name." I draw myself up a little, to see if I can spot someone coming in our direction.

"Yeah," Jake says, distractedly. "She's our managing partner's niece...doesn't work in the firm, so, you know...nothing awkward."

"Maybe except for you and your managing partner." I shrug.

He's about to answer when an older balding man claps his shoulder from behind and interrupts. Jake seems about to protest, but I just smile. I can't have him all to myself tonight, anyway.

It's when I start looking around to see where Geoff's gone off to that I spot him near the door, talking to another man built like a wrestler and then poured into a tux. Ridley. He looks like he's trying for the Clark Kent look, one hand in his pocket and the other pinching his chin. I don't recognize the other man, but when he suddenly turns his head and our eyes lock, I feel a strange tugging sensation on my mind, like he's actually trying to get inside it.

Quickly I turn away. I don't like the thought of anyone but me inside my head.

≈

Geoff and I finally reunite with Matt and Tori when Jake gets up onto the stage at the front of the room to make a toast. A tall willowy woman with long straight hair as red as his joins him, and the first thing I notice is how thin her legs and arms are. They're like a stork's. I wonder exactly how I missed her.