Page 13 of Jett

Technically, this wasn’t Jett’s fault. I can’t blame Brooke. She didn’t hold me to ransom. I feel for her, and I see now that not only do I have an unhealthy attachment to her father, I also have one to Brooke.

But I’m only human, and I’d have to be a monster to not feel for that child. The truth is, I let my best friend down. I hate that I hurt Eliana and missed this concert that we’d been waiting fourteen months to see. If I’m not careful, I won’t have a best friend at all. And then I’ll truly be alone.

My fingers trace the edge of the envelope like it’s a lifeline. And then I see him, striding into my workspace, wearing yet another one of his dark blue Armani suits that fit him like it was designed by the gods themselves. I know this suit—it’s one of the ten he has in the exact same shade, all of them tailored to perfection. I’ve taken them to the dry cleaners myself more times than I can count. But somehow today, he looks even more devastatingly handsome. Like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.

But today, he stops in front of my desk. This is not how it's supposed to go. He’s supposed to breeze past me, muttering his usual distracted “good morning” without so much as a glance, heading straight into his office like every other day. That’s the plan. I’m supposed to walk into his office, hand him the letter, and walk out with my dignity.

My heart skips. I can’t do this now.

No. No. No.

I slide the letter under my diary, out of sight. My pulse races, betraying me.

He’s too close and I can smell his aftershave again—a scent I recall each night I lie tossing and turning in bed. Spicy and intoxicating, it surrounds me like a spell I can’t shake.

My heart slams against my ribs. I wish I had more control over myself when I’m around this man.

“Thanks again for coming to Brooke’s party. I appreciate it.” His voice is low, smooth, and it catches me off guard.

I glance up, forcing my eyes to meet his. “You already thanked me.”

“I know. Anna’s back now, but you being there really made Brooke’s day.”

His tone is casual again, and the soft-hearted man from the party is gone. The business-minded Knight is back to make my life miserable. I try to keep my voice steady. “I’m glad it did.” I want to talk to him about Brooke, but this isn’t the time.

“How was the concert?” he asks, again surprising me. This man is hardly ever interested in my life outside of the office.

“I missed it.”

“What? How?” A shadow crosses his face, momentary but noticeable. His voice dips. “You told me you could still get there on time.”

“I should have left earlier.” I bite the inside of my cheek.Don’t say it.Don’t tell him you fell asleep on the couch, missed Eliana’s calls, and woke up too late. Don’t tell him how she went with another friend.

He shifts slightly, hand resting on his hip, pulling his blazer aside. His watch glints in the light—expensive, sleek, just like everything else about him. And that aftershave completely fills the space between us, making my heart flutter.

Damn it.

I shouldn’t still be attracted to him. But I am. Not just because of how he looks in a suit, or the way he smells when he walks past my desk.

It’s more than that.

I remember moments—him with Brooke, tender and protective. The way he cradles her when she’s upset. Then there’s the side of him that infuriates me—the temper, the sharpness when things don’t go his way. But somehow, long ago, he did something kind for me, and that memory keeps me tethered to him in ways I don’t want to admit. When Mom passed, it seemed—as crazy as it is for me to admit—as if he filled that void, albeit temporarily, with his arms wrapped around me as my body shook with sadness. He was there for me when I lost the most important person in my life.

That is what imprinted in my mind, more potently, more vividly than ever. I had a tiny crush on him before. Who wouldn’t? You’d have to be made of stone for this man to not have an effect on you.

My earlier crush was manageable. It didn’t mess with my head the way it does since that moment beside my mom’s hospital bed.

Now, it’s like a part of him is attached to me always.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he says, pulling me back to the present. “But I don’t understand. Why did you miss it?”

His continued persistence to dig deeper starts to annoy me. Irritation bubbles hot under the surface. I’m tempted to snap a short answer. I’ve raised my voice at him before, once or twice, in moments of pure frustration. No one else dares to, but I have. And I’ve gotten away with it because he lets me. He treats me differently, and I don’t know why.

I’m annoyed at myself, and I feel for Eliana and our now-precarious friendship. “I was just tired after the party,” I say, my voice tight. “I should’ve had more energy, but I didn’t.” I need to give him my resignation. My obsession with this man is unhealthy. Brooke’s also becoming attached to me, and I feel more torn than ever.

He looks genuinely disappointed. “I’m really sorry.”

“It wasn't anyone's fault.”But mine.He watches me because I don't even try to hide my anger. The Knights spell trouble and I need to find the strength and walk away. My hand inches toward the envelope hidden beneath my diary.

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