Michael swallowed his whiskey and walked upstairs with the guys. He scanned the room trying to spot Jess. His eyes found her talking to someone. He couldn't tell who she was with because their backs were towards him. He looked around the room; he could see Tommy, Arthur, John, Janik, her brothers, Finn, and Isaiah. So who was Jess talking too? He walked over and could hear her talking about the painting that was hanging on the wall. "So this one has been my favorite. When my dad and I go to New York we try to meet up with the painter. She has been so kind to our family. Her style and just the coloring is immaculate," she laughed. He could hear him respond, "What would you do if I told you she was my godmother?" Before she could respond Michael spoke, "Babe I've been looking for you everywhere." When she turned her smile grew. "Michael this is ..." Jessica was cut off by Tommy coming over. "Perfect, Michael I see you have met Gina's brother and our new business partner, Greg Blake. This is Michael Gray, our chief accountant. And I see you met Jessica already." Michael and Greg shook hands, "Yes, I bumped into her before. I was telling her how stunning her home was," he said as he smiled at her. Tommy could see the tension, "Greg come with me I want to introduce you to a few more people," and walked away with Greg.
Michael, hand on her back looked at the painting. "You never told me this was your favorite," and raised an eyebrow. Jess smiled and laughed, "Someone sounds like they are a little jealous." She pulled herself closer to him and looked up. "Next time you have to go to New York I want to come with you. Show you my favorite places and my favorite spots." It was Michaels turn to laugh and he said, "Sounds like someone is a little jealous." She rolled her eyes and picked off two champagne flutes from a tray and handed one to Michael. She turned around and looked at the room. There were so many people who they loved all in one room. Her brothers and their wives and kids, her father and Tommy talking, Polly and Ada laughing, John and Arthur and the boys all laughing together. She pulled Michael into a side hug, "Weddings are so amazing. They bring all the important people in your lives together in such a joyous moment. And there is no one else i'd rather be standing beside during this than you."
From afar, one set of eyes had been staring in disgust watching them. "Sister if you keep staring like that you're going to burn a hole," Greg laughed. His sister had been standing there with such hate as Michael had Jessica in his arms. "The whole time he was in New York, all he did was talk about her. I wanted to vomit," Gina said as she sipped her glass of champagne. Greg knew how his sister was. When she wanted something, she would do anything in her power to get it. Greg too was a little shocked at who Jessica was and who Michael was and how they were together. Jessica, this rich American with such class dating Michael, a thug Peaky Blinder. He went about things different from his sister though. If he wanted something that was not his currently, you have to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Befriend both Michael and his family as well as Jess. "Well, you're never going to get him if you continue to be a bitch. His family is not dumb, they see how you act," Greg said. Gina had mentioned the conversation Polly had with her and how everyone else had been treating her. "How long does dad plan on staying here?" Gina questioned. Greg took a sip of his drink. "Luckily for you, dad has rented the room in Tommy's hotel for the next month. Gives you more time to work your magic seeing as you're going to need it." Gina shot him a look, "What is that supposed to mean? As if you're doing any better than I am." "I've already made more progress than you in a matter of a 10 minute talk about art. So yes, I am doing better than you," Greg said back. Before the argument could continue on, Mae walked in the room and yelled, "Excuse me everyone! Dinner will be served, please come to the dining room."
Dinner was amazing. The food and drinks kept flowing. The laughter did not stop. Although the Shelby family was annoyed Grace's family came in uniform (which she promised they wouldn't), everything else kept moving without a hiccup. "Speech! Speech!" Arthur yelled. Tommy and Grace stood up. Tommy addressed the room, "We thank you all for being here today for our special day. I am so glad everyone we love could be in this one room to see the happiest moment of our lives." Tommy lifted his glass and everyone drank. Grace continued, "Just reiterating what Tommy said, I love everyone in this room. But I did want to extend a special thank you to Janik Swavorski for allowing us to use his beautiful home." Grace tipped her glass to him and continued, "last final thank you to his daughter Jessica. I can't thank you enough for all your help and planning. You helped make this the best day for Tommy and I." "You're so cute when you blush. You get so embarrassed when the attention is all on you," Michael whispered in Jess's ear as everyone cheered one last time. Jess cocked an eyebrow up and whispered in his ear, "If you think I'm cute now, wait till later when you can see something cute under my dress." Chills ran up Michael's spine. "I am going to go hang out with your mom and Ada," she said as she walked away. Michael grabbed her arm, hand on her cheek, kissed her side then said, "I hope later comes early." Michael winked and walked with the guys outside.
Michael was outside in the courtyard with the boys. He could see from a window inside into the hall where the band had been playing. Jessica, Polly, and Ada dancing with drinks in their hands. Their smiles beaming and faces glowing. Jess doesn't drink often, but he could tell she was getting drunk. She had this slight flush to her cheeks and glimmer to her eyes. She bumped into his mom dancing and they started to laugh. Michael chuckled. John looked in his direction. "Ay Michael, your girl is giving every other lady a run for their money in there." Michael whipped his head around to his cousin, "You got a wife and kids, don't be checking out my girl," he laughed puffing out smoke from the cigar. Arthur spoke, "Even Linda said how beautiful she looked, and you know how she feels about Jess." Linda had made it known she thought Jess was a rich spoiled brat and did not want to accept her or be nice to her. "I do agree she is the most beautiful girl in the room," they heard a voice and all turned around. "Greg Blake," he stuck out his hand and introduced himself to all the guys. John spoke first, "Your father is the one who we will be doing business with in the states?" "Yes, we are going to be here for the next month to sort things out. I figured i'd come out here and introduce myself, but also wanted to talk to the chief accountant over here if thats ok."
All eyes were on Michael. The guys could see how tense he was, but he promised Tommy no fighting and would follow the rules. "Ill find you guys inside when I'm done." They walked towards the door and Arthur turned around, "Not too much business talk Michael. You owe Jess a dance," and they all went inside. "What can I help you with?" Michael questioned. He didn't like this guy and wanted the convo to be done. "I didn't realize Jessica was a Swavorski. Well known family back home." Michael put his cigar out. "Are you here to talk business or about my girlfriend? I am confused and quite frankly either topic I don't feel I need to talk about," he responded sounding aggrivated. Greg raised an eyebrow, "Did I hit a nerve? Do you know how many men at home want to try for her. Rich men with good families who have known her for a long time. How long have you been in her life, a little over a year? You don't even know her let alone could provide her with the life she deserves." Michael moved closer so they were inches apart. He was pissed. He was sick and tired of all these people making the assumption he couldn't give her a good life. "And what you think thats you? You think you know my girlfriend." Greg wouldn't back down firing back, "I'm better then you and I will make her happier then you ever could." Before Michael could react, "Michael" he heard a sweet voice come from the door. He looked to the right. Jessica spoke out, "Michael, can you come in and dance with me?" Her voice sounded so sweet, he could hear a slight drunkness in her. "I'll be in there in a minute babe," Michael turned back to look at Greg, "I'm going to go inside and dance with my girlfriend. Don't speak to me about her again. Don't even think about going near her either" Michael turned and walked towards Jessica. Greg stood there satisfied. "I thought you said you were doing better than me," Gina came up behind lighting a cigarette, "That didn't look good." Greg smiled at her, "Baby sis, I just planted the seed that will get them to spiral. I am practically doing all the work for both of us."