Jack glanced at Eloise. She quickly said, “No need, really. I can head back on my own.”
Jack caught the flicker in her eyes, the way she needed to escape. He smiled gently and didn’t insist.
“Of course,” he said.
He turned to Eddy with a polite nod. “No gentleman lets a lady walk off alone though, right?”
Then to Chris, he added smoothly, “Could your secretary do me a favor?”
Eddy caught the hint and played along. “Chris, would you kindly see Eloise back in her room?”
Chris bowed slightly. “Yes, Mr. Eddy.”
Jack watched Eloise go, his expression unreadable again. Then he turned and lifted his glass toward Eddy with a smirk.
The clinking of crystal glasses echoed faintly as the large reception room quieted down. Eloise and Chris had just left, their footsteps fading into the hallway,
