Chapter 7 Alexs Wife
The Company Gala
By the time November arrived, Alex had almost forgotten that Jamie was only supposed to be living with him temporarily.
The apartment renovations were moving slower than anyone had predicted. Every week the property manager called with another update, another delay, another apology.
Oddly enough, Alex no longer felt frustrated.
Life had settled into a rhythm that was surprisingly difficult to imagine living without.
Every morning he woke to the smell of coffee.
Every evening someone was waiting to ask how his day had gone.
The apartment no longer greeted him with silence.
It greeted him with Jamie.
One Wednesday afternoon, while sorting through paperwork at the office, Alex noticed a gold envelope tucked beneath several construction contracts.
He frowned before opening it.
Inside was the formal invitation to Carter Construction's annual charity gala.
Every year the company hosted a dinner honoring major clients, architects, investors, and employees who had contributed to the firm's success. It was part celebration, part networking event, and part fundraiser for local housing charities.
Attendance was expected.
Bringing a guest was encouraged.
Alex stared at the invitation for a long moment.
Normally he attended alone.
After his breakup, it had simply seemed easier that way.
This year, however, only one person immediately came to mind.
That evening, Jamie was standing in the kitchen kneading bread dough when Alex walked in carrying the invitation.
Jamie looked up with his usual welcoming smile.
"You're home."
"I am."
Jamie wiped flour from his hands.
"Long day?"
"The usual."
Alex leaned against the kitchen island.
"I need a favor."
Jamie smiled.
"I've noticed those words usually lead to interesting situations."
"They do."
Alex held out the invitation.
"My company's annual gala is next Friday."
Jamie accepted the envelope and read it carefully.
"It looks fancy."
"It is."
"You have to go?"
Alex nodded.
"I'd rather not go alone."
Jamie looked up.
"You want me to come?"
"I do."
Jamie looked genuinely surprised.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Jamie smiled uncertainly.
"I don't really know anyone there."
"You know me."
"I suppose that's true."
Alex watched him think it over.
"There'll be investors, clients, architects, and a lot of people who enjoy talking about construction far more than any normal person should."
Jamie laughed.
"I'll try to look interested."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Jamie smiled warmly.
"But I'd like to support you."
Alex returned the smile.
"I'd like that."
Over the next week, Jamie approached the event with far more enthusiasm than Alex expected.
He insisted Alex finally buy the navy suit he'd been considering for months.
He quietly sent Alex's favorite dress shoes to be polished without mentioning it.
He even persuaded him to get a proper haircut instead of waiting another three weeks like he normally would.
Standing in front of the bedroom mirror on the evening of the gala, Alex adjusted his tie for what felt like the tenth time.
"I look ridiculous."
Jamie walked into the room carrying his cufflinks.
"You look handsome."
"I look uncomfortable."
"That's because you keep staring at yourself."
Jamie stepped closer and gently straightened Alex's collar.
"There."
Alex smiled.
"You've done this enough times that I don't even question it anymore."
Jamie laughed.
"Someone has to stop you from wearing crooked ties."
Alex looked at him.
"I'm beginning to think I would've been completely hopeless without you."
Jamie smiled softly.
"I've been trying not to let that happen."
A knock on the bedroom door interrupted them.
Emma peeked inside without waiting for permission.
"I brought dessert for tomorrow because I—"
She stopped speaking.
Her eyes moved slowly between Alex and Jamie.
"...Wow."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Emma pointed dramatically.
"You two clean up unfairly well."
Jamie laughed.
"We're just wearing suits."
"Exactly."
Emma looked at Alex.
"I've never seen you actually coordinate colors before."
Jamie immediately looked guilty.
"I might've helped."
Emma folded her arms.
"I know you did."
She smiled mischievously.
"My brother would've worn black with navy and somehow convinced himself it looked intentional."
Alex sighed.
"I heard that."
"You were supposed to."
Emma hugged Jamie before leaving.
"Have fun."
Then she leaned toward Alex.
"Try not to spend the entire evening staring at him."
Alex frowned.
"What?"
Emma only smiled before disappearing down the hallway.
Alex shook his head.
"I have no idea what she's talking about."
Jamie hid a smile.
"I'm sure you don't."
The ballroom hosting the gala overlooked the city's riverfront, its enormous windows reflecting hundreds of golden lights across polished marble floors.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while a string quartet played softly near the entrance.
Guests arrived dressed in elegant evening wear, greeting one another with practiced smiles and polite conversation.
As soon as Alex and Jamie stepped inside, several familiar faces approached.
"Alex!"
One of the senior architects shook his hand enthusiastically.
"Good to see you."
"You too."
The architect turned toward Jamie.
"And who is this?"
Alex smiled.
"This is Jamie Flores."
Jamie offered his hand politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine."
The architect smiled warmly.
"I've heard Carter Construction finally found someone capable of convincing Alex to take weekends off."
Jamie laughed.
"I'm still working on that."
Alex looked mildly offended.
"I do take weekends off."
Jamie glanced sideways.
"You answered three work emails at breakfast."
"I only answered two."
Jamie looked at him.
"You see?"
The architect laughed.
"I already like him."
As the evening continued, Alex introduced Jamie to project managers, engineers, suppliers, and longtime clients.
Jamie somehow remembered every name.
He listened with genuine interest.
He asked thoughtful questions.
He complimented people's work instead of trying to impress them.
Within an hour, Alex realized people weren't merely being polite.
They genuinely enjoyed talking to Jamie.
During the cocktail reception, Alex stepped away briefly to greet one of the company's largest investors.
When he turned back a few minutes later, Jamie was standing near one of the balcony doors speaking with a young architect from another firm.
The architect laughed at something Jamie had said.
Then he smiled.
Not politely.
Interestedly.
Alex frowned.
He couldn't hear the conversation.
The architect leaned slightly closer.
Jamie smiled again.
For reasons Alex couldn't explain, something tightened uncomfortably in his chest.
The feeling surprised him.
Jamie wasn't doing anything wrong.
He was simply having a conversation.
People talked at events like this all the time.
So why did Alex suddenly want to walk over there?
Before he could stop himself, he did exactly that.
"There you are," Alex said casually as he approached.
Jamie looked up and smiled.
"I was just meeting Ethan."
The architect extended his hand.
"Ethan Brooks."
"Alex Carter."
"We were talking about Jamie's cookbook."
Alex blinked.
"You told him?"
Jamie shrugged.
"He asked what I do."
Ethan smiled.
"I told Jamie he should let me know when it's published."
Jamie thanked him warmly.
A server interrupted to offer drinks, and Ethan politely excused himself.
As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, Jamie looked at Alex curiously.
"You came over quickly."
"I did?"
"I thought you were talking to Mr. Bennett."
"I was finished."
Jamie nodded.
"You looked serious."
Alex frowned.
"I wasn't."
Jamie studied him for another second before smiling.
"If you say so."
Alex looked across the ballroom.
Ethan was still glancing in Jamie's direction.
For reasons Alex couldn't understand, he didn't like it.
He had never cared who talked to Jamie before.
Now, watching another man smile at him felt strangely irritating.
The feeling lingered throughout the evening.
A financial consultant complimented Jamie's smile.
One of the interior designers admired his suit.
Several guests found reasons to continue conversations that had already ended.
Jamie handled every interaction with the same warm politeness he offered everyone.
Alex knew Jamie wasn't encouraging anyone.
He was simply being himself.
Maybe that was the problem.
Jamie made people feel seen.
He listened.
He remembered details.
He laughed easily.
It wasn't surprising that others noticed him.
What surprised Alex was how much he wished they wouldn't.
Near the end of the cocktail hour, Chris from Alex's office appeared carrying two glasses of champagne.
"There you are."
He handed one glass to Alex before looking at Jamie.
"So this is the famous Jamie."
Jamie smiled politely.
"I hope that's a good thing."
Chris laughed.
"It definitely is."
He looked at Alex.
"You've been hiding him."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't hiding anyone."
Another coworker joined them.
Then another.
Within moments, several members of Carter Construction surrounded them.
One of the project managers smiled broadly at Jamie.
"So you're the reason Alex actually leaves work before eight o'clock now."
Jamie laughed.
"I've been encouraging healthier habits."
"We noticed."
Another coworker shook his head dramatically.
"Our boss suddenly eats homemade lunches, remembers company birthdays, and even takes weekends off."
Chris looked toward Alex with exaggerated suspicion.
"What happened to you?"
Alex laughed.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, we do."
One of the older engineers grinned.
He nodded toward Jamie.
"Seriously, Carter..."
He raised his champagne glass with a teasing smile.
"...where did you find such an amazing wife?"
Laughter immediately erupted around the group.
Jamie covered his face with one hand, already laughing.
Alex laughed too.
Yet unlike the first time he'd heard that joke, something had changed.
Instead of sounding ridiculous...
The word lingered quietly in his mind.
And for reasons he still couldn't understand...
It didn't feel entirely wrong.