Jossy stole a quick glance at Noah, feeling guilty as she prepared to lie. Not that it was hard. She had perfected the skill in the last two years.
"You are right," she said too quickly. "My work is to support Damien so that he can show up for our company. I support him behind the scenes."
The room erupted with cheers as everyone envied their relationship. They were couple goals, and all the girls hoped they would find a love like theirs. All the guys envied Damien for having the most beautiful girl in the room. She was smart, beautiful, and supportive.
Guilt pricked Jossy, but she was happy knowing that Noah didn't know she worked at Lennox. He was the CEO, in charge of thousands of employees, and her position was at the bottom of the food chain. He wouldn't recognize the marketing assistants. She was safe.
Noah pretended not to notice, but his mind was racing. Why did she work in secret? Was she embarrassed of the position and opted not to share in public? Maybe Damien knew but they wanted to keep it a secret. Or maybe, just maybe, Damien didn't know. But what kind of marriage required one partner to hide such information from the other, even a part-time job? He hoped it wasn't because Damien wouldn't allow her to work..that thought tightened his chest.
He replayed three incidents in his mind: the gala, where Damien had shouted at her; the networking event, where Damien had been surrounded by women, clearly flirting; and now, Jossy lying about her work. What was happening in that home? In that marriage?
Noah's mind drifted back to her brief words about supporting Damien behind the scenes. He knew the statement was not true. She was working at Lennox, though part time, it was still work. She had a life outside the home, even if it was a secret. And he couldn't stop wondering. What would it mean for her if Damien ever found out? If the world found out? The questions hung heavy on him as the crowd around him went on laughing and having a good time.