Chapter Forty Eight

Chapter Forty Eight
Marcus led Lisa through the party, his hand possessively on the small of her back, as they waded through the sea of suits and designer dresses. The champagne glasses clinked, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and power.

Marcus led Lisa to Dr. Patel, who was holding court near the bar, a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Dr. Patel, meet my girlfriend, Lisa," Marcus said, beaming with pride as he introduced Lisa to the research honoree.

Dr. Patel, a bespectacled man with a warm smile, shook Lisa's hand. "Ah, lovely to meet you, Lisa. Congratulations on being part of Marcus's life.’’ His eyes lit up. "My research is finally getting the recognition it deserves." He launched into a lengthy explanation of his work, using jargon and technical terms that made Lisa's eyes glaze over.

Marcus hovered, nodding enthusiastically, as Lisa's eyes scanned the room. She was trying to appear interested, but her mind was elsewhere. She was searching for an escape route, a way to slip away from Marcus's possessive grip.

And then she saw him. Jamie. Sitting in a corner, sipping a drink with Mike. Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't spoken to him since their last phone call, when Marcus had shown up at his house.

Lisa's face grew hot with embarrassment. She was mortified. What was Jamie doing here? ‘’Oh, right ! He’s a doctor.’’ She felt a wave of shame wash over her, mixed with a dash of anxiety. What would he think, seeing him with Marcus?

Marcus, oblivious to her distress, continued to introduce her to other doctors. "And this is Dr. Finn... Dr. Chase..."

As they moved through the crowd, Lisa's eyes kept drifting back to Jamie. He had seen her too. He was laughing with Mike, looking relaxed. But she knew him. He was probably dying to talk to her, to ask her what was going on.

But she didn't make a move. She played along, smiling and nodding as Marcus talked about her like she was a prized possession. Her mind was racing with questions. How was she going to explain this to Jamie? Would he even care?

Jamie glanced up, and their eyes met. For a moment, they just stared. Lisa's heart was racing. What was he thinking? Was he judging her? Pitying her?


Marcus had gotten distracted by a group of investors, and Lisa had been left standing alone, sipping her champagne and scanning the crowd for an escape route. She'd been trying to blend in, hoping to avoid more awkward introductions and small talk. The music was getting louder, and the party was in full swing, but she felt like an outsider, stuck in a sea of familiar faces.

Just as she'd started to feel like she was going to suffocate, she'd felt a presence behind her. She'd turned to find Jamie standing there, a hint of a smile on his face.

"So, Marcus really is your boyfriend, huh?" he said, his voice low and smooth.

Lisa's heart skipped a beat. She felt a flutter in her chest, a mix of embarrassment and unease. "Yeah," she said, trying to sound casual. "We've been together for a while now."

Jamie's eyes narrowed, studying her face. "I see," he said. "I was wondering why you pretended not to see me earlier."

Lisa's face grew hot. She scrambled for an excuse. "Oh, I was just... caught up in the moment, I guess. Marcus can be a bit much sometimes."

Jamie's expression didn't change, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "I bet," he said. "So, how's life treating you?"

As they talked, Lisa found herself relaxing into the conversation. They discussed Mike and his pregnant girlfriend, Emma, and Jamie's latest escapades. Lisa laughed, feeling a sense of comfort she'd missed.

They delved into old memories, laughing about their crazy plans to spend a week in the Bahamas. "Remember that time we were going to hit the beaches and eat conch fritters till we couldn't move?" Jamie asked, a mischievous glink in his eye.

Lisa's face lit up. "Oh my god, yeah! And then Emma’s bun was baked and Mike’s life was about to get real, making us cancel the trip."

Jamie’s chuckle was low and warm. "Yeah, that was something.’’

Lisa giggled, feeling a pang of nostalgia. "Poor Emma. But she's doing okay now, right? She’s almost due, I guess."

Jamie's face softened. "Yeah, she's huge and glowing. Mike's freaking out, but he's gonna be a great dad."

Lisa smiled, feeling a twinge of wistfulness. "That's awesome. I'm happy for them."

As they reminisced, Jamie's gaze lingered on Lisa's face. "You know, I've missed this," he said, his voice low.

Lisa's heart skipped a beat. "Missed what?"

Jamie's smile was subtle. "Just... talking to you. You're easy to talk to, Lisa."

Lisa's cheeks warmed, and she looked away, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Thanks, Jamie."

Their conversation was interrupted by Marcus's hand on her shoulder. "Hey, babe," he said, his voice smooth but with an undertone of tension. "I see you're talking to Jamie."

Lisa's heart sank, and she felt a jolt of anxiety. Jamie's eyes flicked to Marcus, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.