Page 40 of Jett

“We’ve been invited to a barbecue.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “A barbecue?”

I nod. “One of my old friends is hosting us. I’ve got some business to handle.”

“Oh.” She hesitates, her voice softer now. “I didn’t realize you would start working straightaway.”

“I know this year has been tough on you. And I haven’t exactly made it easier.” Hell, I’ve probably made it worse. I was so stressed about the Vanhelm deal, and it brought out the worst in me, in the way I treated her. I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since.

She blinks rapidly, like she’s processing my words, but then she changes the subject. “Sorry, I’m jetlagged and overwhelmed and hungry.”

“Jetlagged after such a short trip?” It was just over two hours. Brooke has probably worn her out, when she was awake. “Get some rest. If you're hungry, just go down to the kitchen and get the house staff to make you something.”

She looks at me as if I've asked her to land on Mars. “Get them to make me something?”

“They're here for whatever you need.”

“I'm not used to asking people for things.”

“You’re not used to this kind of life,” I say, a half smile forming on my lips. “But get used to it. No one’s going to let you make your own sandwich here.”

Her expression changes, something in her eyes rejecting what I’ve just said.She’s not like the others, Jett. Remember that.

Most women I know—hell, most women I date—are already part of this world. They get it. They thrive in it. But Cari? She’s different. She’s always been different. And it’s becoming harder to ignore.

“Are you okay?” I don’t want her to be uncomfortable here.

“I will be once I’ve gotten my bearings. Do I really need to be at the barbecue?” Her voice sounds a little too hopeful. I sigh. Of course she’d say that.We don’t spend time together outside of work. We don’t socialize. I didn’t think this through. “You do, because of Brooke.”

Her shoulders sag, then she nods like she’s defeated. “Okay.”

I turn to leave, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve said all the wrong things today. Or maybe it’s not what I’ve said—but what I haven’t.

CARI

I shower, then stretch out on the oversized, luxurious bed, but my eyes stayed wide open, fixed on the ceiling. I was waiting for Brooke to awake from her nap.

Every so often, I sit up to stare at the ocean through the huge windows. The view takes my breath away each time. It’s too beautiful to be real.

Being here feels like stepping into a dream, until Jett’s face pushes its way into my thoughts again. Then it all fades.

There’s something happening between us, something strange. I keep saying things I wouldn’t normally say, or overstepping boundaries I shouldn’t. But it’s not just me. Jett’s been ... off, as well.

He mentioned my mom, touched on what a hard year it’s been for me. He even admitted that he hasn’t been easy to be around. For sure he hasn't—he's been an absolute pain in the butt.

Since my mom passed, I’ve felt numb, muted. That numbness is probably the only thing that’s kept me from breaking under Jett’s sharp tongue. But here I am now, trapped in the Knight mansion. Trapped inAurora. What a pretty name for a house. Being here feels too close—to him, to all of this. I can’t seem to get far enough away to breathe. It’s dangerous, being around him all the time. I miss home. I miss Eliana. I miss Aunt Scarlett.

I hear a patter of footsteps before Brooke bursts into the room, her face lit with excitement. “Cari, can we go to the beach now? I asked Daddy, but he's in a meeting.” She stops her sentence with a pout.

A meeting? Already? So much for him spending time with his daughter. I intend to make sure Brooke has the best vacation, even if Jett Knight can't live up to his promises. I’ll make sure this little girl has the vacation of her lifetime. “Sure we can! Let's get ready.” I've unpacked her clothes and put them away, so I pull her cute pink swimsuit out of the drawer.

“I can get ready by myself,” Brooke insists, snatching the swimsuit out of my hands.

“Good. You do that, and I'll get ready, too.” Just before I leave, I pull out the big bottle of SPF fifty sunscreen from her bathroom. “We need to put this all over us or we will burn. Wait for me. I’ll do it.”

She nods obediently, racing to get ready. I head to my room, deciding a quick swim might be nice—and a good way to explore the area near the house. Opening my suitcase, because I was too lazy to unpack my own clothes, my fingers brush over the plain, conservative swimwear I bought with me. The black tankini top that covers me down to my navel, and the shorts that go with it. “'Your nun's habit,” Aunt Scarlett said, sniffing disapprovingly.

“Packed your chastity belt?” Eliana quipped, before the two of them burst out laughing. I had to shoo them out of my room so that I could pack my suitcase without their eagle-eyed observations.

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