[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

[color=teal]"Oh no it's ok, I appreciated it,"[/color] Jess replied, keeping her tone polite despite the flare of anger from Roxy. She had appreciated it, albeit because it had kept both of them away from Mr Black. There was no avoiding him now, though.

Following Roxy into the dining room, she stopped beside her. The barely-concealed surge of panic told Jess what she needed to know about the other guest waiting for them, a young man who oozed the same shallow charm as Reginald did. Her entire body tensed as he approached, addressing her with that fake politeness, which Roxy made it clear she was having none of.

[color=teal]"May I ask..."[/color] Jess bit the inside of her lip before continuing. [color=teal]"Part of our lives in what way?"[/color] She'd tried to put up her own civil air for different reasons, but her words began to take on a frosty edge - whether due to Roxy's emotions or her own, she didn't know. What she did know was the likely answer to her question. If it was what she suspected, was there a way for Roxy and this man to stay out of each other's lives?