Page 99 of Jett

“You heard?”

I pull a face. “I heard that it was sudden, but I didn’t know what it was. We assistants talk.”

“You gossip.” He sounds half-amused, half-annoyed.

“You and your brothers are a captivating bunch.” I hold my breath, wondering if he’ll talk about his mom. That’s one thing the assistants don’t know much about. There’s hardly anything about it online—I’ve looked. Paul Knight has the power to buy the media, and gets to dictate what gets printed and what doesn’t.

He gives a rueful smile. “Are we?”How does he not know this?“Brooke’s been without a mother for so long. I should do more. Be a better father.” His train of thought has veered someplace else.

I scoot closer to him. “You already are, Jett, especially on this trip. She adores you.”

“This vacation is not what our normal life is like. I work way too much, spend too much time away from her. Leave her with nannies.”

“You’ll have to find a new one when we’re back,” I remind him gently.

Something shifts in his expression, a trace of tension. “Another PA. Fuck.” He turns to me and trails a finger along my lips, his tone softer. “I don’t want to think about that. I want to focus on the time we have left, with my daughter and …” His gaze lingers, a confession hanging unspoken. I watch him carefully, wondering what he’s going to say, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Your PA,” I finish the sentence for him.

“You’re more than that to me.” His thumb traces over my lower lip. “You’re so good with her. You help out a lot, even when it’s not something you’ve been told to do. I rely on you more than I should.”

“You’ve only just realized?”

“I rely on you because I know I can.” His voice drops to a murmur. “When it comes to my daughter, only the best will do.”

My breath catches.

“You always go over and above what’s expected of you, fixing her elephant, standing up to people like Abigail.”

“That’s not going over and above what’s expected of me. That’s just being human.”

“That makes me a fucking robot.”

I giggle. “A robot who likes to fuck.”

“Very much so.” He cups my breast, but I move his hand away.

“Let’s just focus on talking for now,” I say. I like that he appreciates and acknowledges what I do. “I just want Brooke to be happy. I want the best for her.”

Something shines in his eyes. It’s hard to label what it is. Admiration? But it feels like more than that. More profound. “And that’s why …” He pauses. “That’s why she lights up around you.” I get the feeling that he didn’t say what he meant to say.

Just thinking about Brooke pulls a smile from me. “I adore her—have since the day I first met her.” I think back to the sweet two-year-old with wide eyes and a shy smile. ?In the years I’ve worked for him, Jett’s had about six girlfriends, but none ever got close to Brooke. Somehow, I did.

“You’re so good with her,” he says, almost wistfully.

“This is the longest time I’ve spent with her. It just feelsright.”

He watches me closely, regret flickering in his eyes. “I wish we’d just arrived. I wish we were still in the first few days of our vacation.”

“We still have time.” But it pains me to think how quickly it’s flying past. “You also need to work, Jett. You came here for business.”

“You sound like my father.” His expression turns somber.

“Sorry.” I lean in and kiss him. “What are you stressing about now?” I stifle a yawn because I haven't slept much.

“Just ... I don’t know how to handle the questions.”

“Questions?”

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