Attracting Attention (Part 1)
"I put it on speakerphone, so Mommy heard everything. No need for me to tell her. Daddy, I'll see you in a bit." Sophia blinked and hung up. "Mommy, am I smart?"
Alison smiled and ruffled Sophia's hair. "Sure, you're smart for knowing to use speakerphone to cut corners."
Sophia pouted slightly. "It's not cutting corners at all. I was afraid I'd misquote Daddy or leave something out. That wouldn't be good."
Standing nearby, Audrey laughed and said, "Sophia really is smart. Mrs. Winston, I'm sure this little one in your arms will grow up to be outstanding as well."
Alison forced a smile, but her unease lingered as she decided to trust Jack.
Five minutes later, the group walked out of the Maple Gold Crown Hotel.
A royal blue Lamborghini was quietly parked outside the hotel entrance.
Jack had arrived right on time.
Sophia and Ethan ran over together.
Sophia immediately asked for a hug, while Ethan tilted his little face up and looked at Jack seriously. "Daddy, you're late!"
Jack smiled, rubbed his nose, and apologetically said, "Yeah, Daddy was wrong. I shouldn't have promised you guys that I'd come but then not show up. But with you two here, you're sure to cheer Mom right up, right?"
Sophia kissed Jack on the cheek to show that she forgave him.
After setting Sophia down, Jack walked over to Audrey and took Lyla, who was just waking up, into his arms.
"Audrey, you should head home," he said.
"Okay, Mr. Winston." Audrey waved to Alison before turning and walking away.
Ignoring Jack, Alison walked to the car door, opened it, and sat in the backseat.
Only after placing Tyler in his car seat did she reach out to Jack, who was already sitting in the driver's seat. "Give me Lyla. You just focus on driving."
Jack turned his head to glance at her, a hint of a smile flickering in his eyes. "Are you mad, honey? You wouldn't get mad at me just because I'm busy with work, right?"
She glared at him and sneered, "Who knows if you're really busy with work?"
"I'm swamped. I just had Yukon come out of the Maple Gold Crown Hotel, and we were rushing to put together some client materials in the car because we need them first thing tomorrow morning."
Alison snorted, unconvinced.
In just a few minutes, he'd managed to spin such a convincing story that it only made her more suspicious.
"Yukon's at a class reunion. I heard there are even some girls there. Aren't you taking it too far by hogging Yukon all day? If he never finds a girlfriend, he'll definitely blame you."
Jack started the car and slowly pulled onto the main road.
Ethan chimed in, "Mommy, I think Ms. Audrey is really nice. She could set Yukon up with her."
Alison looked at her son and couldn't help but laugh.
Jack teased, "Ethan, since when did you become a matchmaker?"
"Daddy, what are you talking about?" Ethan asked, confused.
Alison laughed.
Everyone was staring at her.
"Is... is there something wrong with me?"
"Mom, you finally smiled today." Sophia snuggled up next to her and whispered, "But I don't understand why you're laughing. Mom, can you tell me?"
Alison shot Jack a glance. "Well, you'll have to ask your dad about that."
"Dad, tell me."
"Daddy's driving right now, I'll tell you then."
"Okay."
Alison asked, "Why didn't I see Yukon? Where is he?"
The car reached an intersection, and the light turned red.
Jack pulled over smoothly, but he still didn't answer her question, and that silence made his evasiveness even clearer.
Instead, he turned around and pinched Sophia's cheek. "Sophia, do you think Ethan looks like a matchmaker?"
"I was just making a suggestion. I didn't even tell them. How did I end up being a matchmaker?" Ethan stuck out his tongue.
Alison's smile faded, and she regretted asking about Yukon, certain Jack would guess she'd already figured something out.
Never mind.
They'd agreed to trust each other.
Jack drove the whole way steadily.
Lyla fell asleep in Alison's arms soon.