“Let the celebration begin!” Eve exclaimed. “Here you go, just the way you like it.” She pressed the old-fashioned into Adam’s hand. Drinking him in as if she hadn’t seen him in forever, she touched his arm beforeshe turned the full force of her bright smile on Jannie. “You came! I’m so happy to see you!”
“Hey, Eve.”
Eve gave her a tight hug, then leaned back to scrutinize her face, her big brown eyes filled with sympathy. “How are you doing?” she asked softly.
Jannie forced a smile. “I’m great.”
This … this was what she had avoided all this time. The compassion, though heartfelt, made her supremely uncomfortable. Right after everything happened, this would have amplified her grief to unbearable. Even now, though some time had passed, it still made her want to run.
Beside her, Nick moved closer and discreetly rubbed her back, instantly soothing her.
Claire passed the snifter to Ian, who swept it out of her hand with shining eyes and a murmured thanks. “I guess I’ll make the introductions. Jannie, Nick, this is my beautiful wife, Claire. Claire, meet my sister Jannie and her …” He paused to raise a mocking brow.
Nick stepped forward. “Flight instructor. Nick Kent.”
Flight instructor. Of course. What was he supposed to say,lover?
“It’s good to finally meet you.” Claire clasped Jannie’s hand in both of hers. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Jannie rolled her eyes. “Oh, God. I can only imagine.”
Claire laughed. “All good things.” She reached out to Nick. “Nice to meet you.”
Nick took her hand. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“No idea what you saw in him.” Jannie gestured toward Ian, who smirked over the rim of his cognac glass. “Welcome to the family, and good luck. He’s all yours now. Nick, this is Adam’s wife, Eve.”
Eve’s eyes sparkled as Nick shook her hand. “Flight instructor!”
“Yes, ma’am.” The man managed to sound modest, even as his smile turned cocky.
Eve tilted her head. “You know, LarsAir is always looking for good pilots.”
Nick nodded politely. “I know. Your husband never fails to remind me.”
Adam looked down at her and smiled. “Headhunting for me again?”
“Always.”
A young, curly-haired man approached. Adam’s personal assistant, Jannie recognized. The man was a saint for putting up with Adam’s exacting standards and demands, and Jannie had always liked him. “Cooper!”
Cooper shot her a genial grin. “Miss Larssen! Hey, long time no see!”
“Indeed,” Adam said dryly. “Longtime. We all set?”
Cooper nodded, excitement in his eyes. “Yes, sir. Jonathan said to tell you everything looks good.”
Adam glanced at the large clock on the wall, shaped like an altitude gauge. “Great. Thank you, Cooper.” He grinned down at Eve. “It’s showtime, baby.”
For some reason, Eve blushed profusely. Lips parting, she raised smoldering eyes to his, and Adam returned the heated look a hundredfold.
Jannie’s throat tightened.
God. Get a room.
Adam chuckled and bent to kiss Eve’s lips. “Well, then, this is it. Wish me luck.”
“As if you need it.” Eve beamed up at him with adoration. “Go dazzle them.”
