Jessie must have felt the weight of his stare because her gaze slid to his and an instant smile spread over her face. She sent a timid wave.
Jack tried not to act too rushed as he walked to her side. He stopped by one group of people, offered the appetizer, and then met up with Jessie.
“You’re stunning,” he told her.
Her cheeks grew pink, her teeth flashed in a smile. “You don’t look half bad yourself, Jack. I hardly recognized you without your hat.” When she spoke, she straightened his tie and gave it a tiny pat before lowering her hand.
“The hat doesn’t match the uniform.”
“It would set you apart from the rest.”
Sam took that moment to walk up to the two of them. Jack held his breath, hoping the man wouldn’t say anything to tip Jessie off. “Holding this tray is easier when you don’t have so much on it,” Sam said.
“I told you you’d get the hang of it.” Jack removed the last glass from the tray and handed it to Jessie. “Sam, this is Jessie, a friend of mine.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Jessie.”
Jack nodded to Sam. “You might want to fill that tray before the new boss thinks you’re slacking,” he told him.
“Good thing this is only temporary,” Sam told him. “I don’t think I could do it full-time.”
“Builds character,” Jack said.
Sam agreed before turning toward the kitchen and marching away.
“Temporary?” Jessie asked.
“The hotel beefs up the staff for the holidays. Sam is new at his job.” Very new!
Jessie tilted the sparkling wine to her full lips and took a sip. “It’s nice of you to look out for him.”
Watching her tongue chase a drop of champagne on her lip caused his stomach to warm. Lord, he had it bad. Jack forced his gaze to her eyes. “Sam’s a good sport. Come on over here.” He led her toward a far wall so they could scout the entire room. “Perfect people-watching position, don’t you think?”
“It is. This place is beautiful. The decorations are amazing, elegant.”
Jack glanced around the huge hall completely decked out with holiday lights, poinsettias, garland, Christmas trees with sparkling ornaments. “The decorating staff does a great job. You’d never know this place screamed Thanksgiving two days ago.”
“The hotel has a decorating staff?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll bet that’s a fun job.”
“The coordinator drives them hard, but the same people come back year after year.”
“My sister, Monica, is finishing up school this year. Next year I plan to go back. Take a design class or two.”
Jack noted the distant gaze in her eyes. Her words were his first glimpse into her dreams. “What do you want to do?”
“Anything but what I’m doing. I’d like to be an event coordinator, maybe even a wedding planner. I want a job I don’t have to wash off at the end of the day.”
“Emily is the coordinator here, she works plenty hard.”
Jessie huffed. “I’ll bet she doesn’t go home smelling like french-fry grease and sticky syrup.”
Jack shook his head. “Probably not.”
She tipped the glass back, and Jack noticed her tongue peek out to lick the rim. The movement wasn’t meant to be sexy, but he had a hard time tearing his eyes away.
“So, where are all those eligible bachelors?” she asked.
Snapping out of his daze, Jack turned to scan the room. “I don’t see too many here yet.”
“Really?”
No, but he didn’t want to point out anyone she might actually consider dating. “Wait here, I need to pass this around and appease my boss. I’ll be back in a flash. Here, take a couple.” He offered her the bite-sized egg puffs on his tray.
“Quiche?”
“Yeah.”
“Do cowboys eat quiche?”
He laughed and then popped one in his mouth. “Not bad.”
Jessie glanced behind him and swatted his arm. “Better watch it. Those are for the guests.”
He winked at her concern and placed a couple of quiches on a napkin before handing it to her.
“I’ll be right back.”
Jessie was on her second glass of champagne, and Jack had stuffed more than her share of appetizers onto her napkin. She insisted on moving around the room so he wouldn’t get in trouble with his boss for hovering around her the whole night.
For a brief while, she was certain he wasn’t going to point out anyone to zero in on for a date. Passive proof that he wanted her for himself and joining the party was a ploy for his hidden agenda. She could have easily been irritated if Jack wasn’t so damn cute as he passed out food and laughed with his customers. And how long had it been since she’d had an adult night out? Forever! That’s how long.
She’d just about given up on Jack finding an eligible man when he pointed to a lone man sitting at the bar.
“Which one?” she asked, peeking over Jack’s shoulder. There were a few men at the bar; two were sitting next to women, another sipped something from a martini glass, another could pose as her father.
“Don’t stare.” Jack scooted in front of her eyes, blocking her view. “Joe Richard, he’s been married before. Divorced now, kids stay with his wife.”
Hmm, she wasn’t sure about having more to deal with. Then again, who was she to talk? “Which one is he?”