Crossing the room, he greeted her, “Ms. Genovese.”
“Captain Calloway. You’re looking quite dashing in your uniform. What are those ribbons? There seem to be a lot of them.”
“I’ve got a few,” he said smiling.
“What can we expect tonight? Does this typically run late?”
“Dancing, then some speeches, there’s usually a video of some of the work that’s been happening, dinner, more dancing, and schmoozing. A few people always end up too drunk and loud, then people will start heading out. It’s usually over by about 11pm. Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin at midnight?”
“Ha ha, do I look like Cinderella?”
“Well, those do look like some pretty fancy slippers you’ve got on.”
“Don’t ever make fun of the Gucci's, Jack.”
Jack motioned to where Mike, Carrie, and Jerome were in conversation with some of the other guests. “I see Mike is at your table tonight. I think he’s interested in Carrie. He’s dropped a few hints.”
“Good luck with that, Carrie is very particular.”
“What, are you saying a Lt Commander in the Navy, who flies fighter jets and happens to be an astronaut isn’t good enough for her?,” Jack replied teasingly.
“No, I’m just saying he’s got his work cut out for him if he’s seriously interested. The quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has been chasing her for a month - that guy has got a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than getting a date with her,” Bella laughed.
Jack leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Don’t write Mike off just yet - Navy boys know what we want and we usually get it. I better go ‘mingle’ - save me a dance,” and with that Jack moved away to greet more guests that were arriving.
The band played several songs, while guests danced. Dr Campbell was also there, and he took the Bella Pelle group around, making introductions and telling everyone all about the amazing cream they had developed for NASA. With promises to send a selection of products to all the women they’d met, they made their way back to the table just in time for the start of the speeches.
They could hear the pride and appreciation for everyone in attendance in the speeches, and it made Bella, Jerome, and Carrie feel really proud of the work they’d done, and to be a small part of it. The video presentation was really interesting, and they laughed when it showed Jack and the crew in the weightless chamber, making jokes and pretending to swim while floating in the air.
Bella declined dessert, and had an espresso martini instead, as she enjoyed them on occasion; she sat speaking quietly to the seatmate on her left when she saw the band was taking a break and the DJ took over. Mike asked Carrie for a dance, and with a wink at Bella, Carrie accepted, moving out onto the dance floor.Well, I didn’t see that one coming. Maybe there is something tothese Navy boys after all, she thought with a secret smile on her face. Jerome had found Margie, and the moon rock conversation they had started at dinner in Dallas picked right back up where it had left off. If anyone could charm someone into giving them a moon rock, it was going to be Jerome. Looking around, Bella noticed all of a sudden, she was the only person left at the table.Hmm, I should get up and move around,she thought when a man in a naval uniform sat down next to her.
“Hi there. Having a good time tonight?” he asked.
Bella didn’t know his rank, so she didn’t know how to address him - she only knew he didn’t have as many stripes on his uniform as Jack did, so he probably wasn’t a captain.
“Hello, yes, it’s been a nice evening,” she replied.
“So, what’s a gorgeous lady like you doing sitting here all alone? I thought you could use some company.”
Oh jeez - not this. Not tonight.
“I’m good thank you, and I’m not here alone, I’m with someone.”At least I hope I am, shethought.
“Well, I don’t see him. Do you want to dance? Or maybe get out here?” he said.
Jack was mid-conversation with the manufacturer of their booster rockets for their spacecraft when he clocked Lieutenant Brad Erikson making his way towards Bella, sitting at her table alone. His eyes narrowed as Erikson sat down beside her.That SOB.Bella didn’t look even remotely interested - he knew she wouldn’t be - but he’d be damned if he let Erikson try it on with his woman.Wait? Did I just say she’s my woman? Damn skippy I did!
Excusing himself from the group, Jack stalked across the ballroom, arriving just as Bella opened her mouth to respond. He stood there — completely silent — and waited.
“Oh, hey Commander, how you doing tonight? I didn’t see you there.” Brad said to Jack.
Jack regarded him for a long moment — calm, completely cool - before answering, “I'm completely clean on radar. But trust me, I’ve had a hard-lock on you since you sat down. Have a safe flight out of here."
The other man sat straight up. “I’m sorry?”
“Romeo. Be advised - Ms. Genovese is restricted airspace. I've got her locked on, so I'd bug out now before I declare a furball."
“Oh. Oh. Yes sir, sorry sir, I wasn’t aware. Have a good night, sir,” Erikson stood and removed himself from the situation with considerable speed.
