Page 43 of Jett

I leave and go downstairs to make a light snack for us both, a few sandwiches, but one of the housekeepers swoops in. She practically insists on doing it for me, smiling softly the whole time, and it’s clear—I’m not going to be needed for much here, other than to watch Brooke.

Brooke and I eat, and she casually recounts how last year she had a tent set up here with lights and a nicely made-up bed inside, all snug and cozy. She asks me if we can set it up again this time. I agree and make a mental note to ask the staff.

Brooke is my distraction—and, goodness, do I need one here, with my boss so close. But she’s more than that—I love being around her. She’s fun, and spending this much time with her, instead of the little slivers of time when Jett brings her into the office, means that I am getting to know her better.

Outside, the sky glows a soft, deep pink as the sun sinks lower. There’s a calm in the air, a warmth that clings to my skin. Bermuda feels like paradise, and yet every time I think of Jett I’m far from relaxed.

Brooke is excited about the barbecue tonight. Her energy’s already returned after our time at the beach and her sandwich. This day already feels so long and I can feel my tiredness start to set in.

I’m struggling with what to wear tonight. What does one wear to a barbecue here? I presume that Jett’s friend is at the same insane level of wealth as the Knights. Thank goodness I went shopping with Aunt Scarlett and Eliana and updated my wardrobe a little. I settle on one of the dresses I bought with them. It's an orange sleeveless dress, in a soft fabric that flows as I walk. It looked good when I tried it on in the fitting room, and Aunt Scarlett commented that it shows off my figure and my hair.

I ask Brooke what she wants to wear, but she wants to see what I’m wearing first. When I show her, she picks out an orange-colored dress from her closet too. I wonder if she’s mimicking me on purpose. It’s endearing.

We meet downstairs in the expansive, marble-floored foyer, and the same driver from earlier is waiting for us. Jett comes into sight and Brooke rushes to him.

“Daddy!” she squeals, throwing her arms around his legs.

Jett smiles, brushing her hair back. “You look pretty, angel,” he says, his voice softening in that way it always does when he talks to her. Then he glances at me, his eyes tracing over my dress slowly. His gaze lingers, and I can feel it, burning through me already. I quickly look down, heat crawling up my neck. Did I nod? I can’t even tell anymore. Every time he looks at me lately, I feel off balance.

Brooke slips her hand into his and beams up at her father, clearly happy to have more time with him. How precious this must be for them.

He looks ... different. The sun has kissed his skin, giving him a faint tan. When was he outside? This man never stops working. And when he does, it’s either for Brooke or some woman.

“Shall we get in the car?” he asks, breaking the silence.

We settle in, Brooke chatting away about all the things she’s excited to do with him—she’s looking forward to days at the beach, swimming in the pool, exploring, and going on boat rides. Things she must have done before. I’m amazed she even remembers her last visit here. “Yeah, we’ll do that, sprout,” he says, agreeing to her every request.

“It's going to be so much fun, and you're going to be with us all the time, Daddy!” Brooke cries excitedly.

“I'll be with you as much as I can, angel.”

She’s convinced this whole trip is one big vacation just for her.

And Jett? He lets her believe it.

Then he tells her that she’s been invited to a lunch at her friend Madison’s house. “You remember her, don’t you? Last year, she had an elephant and a camel at her birthday party.”

“I remember!” Brooke would never forget seeing an elephant. But having an elephant and a camel at a party? How rich are these people? I assume the girl must be of similar age to Brooke.

He turns to me. “You’ll take her. Noon tomorrow. I’ll have the driver bring you for lunch with the kids. Their mothers will be there too. I told Abigail, Madison’s mother, that you would be coming.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He was so casual. So matter-of-fact. Giving me just the information I needed, and nothing more. He feels nothing like the man who saw me practically naked and ran his hands over me earlier.

“Cari’s coming with us everywhere, isn’t she Daddy?”

I freeze at the mention of my name, my gaze shifting to Jett. Each glance is like a secret thrill-seeking missile, making me feel things I need to forget.

Jett opens his mouth to respond, but his cell phone rings. He answers, falling into business mode while Brooke turns to me, her eyes wide with excitement as she recites everything her father just told her. This is likely the longest stretch of time he’s ever spent with her. Usually, he’s in meetings, on calls, flying in and out of the country. Even when he’s around, he’s not really present. But this trip? It’s different for Brooke. I can tell it means the world to her.

The car pulls up to an impressive house—large but not as grand as the Knight mansion. This looks sleeker, where Jett's one is more cozy, more old world. This place is a large, modern, beachfront villa with whitewashed walls and large windows. An infinity pool stretches toward the horizon, seamlessly blending into the sea. The backyard has a large deck with lounge chairs and is surrounded by beautiful, landscaped grounds.

Who is this friend of his? I step out, already feeling wary and out of place. Brooke has her hand in Jett’s and I follow behind, looking around me.

The barbecue is set up on the villa’s ocean-facing deck, and the sea breeze carries the faint tang of saltwater. The air is thick with the scent of grilling meats, the sounds of laughter and conversation filtering the air under a rose-colored sky. Some people sit at tables set out on the grass, while others mill around with drinks in their hands, deep in conversation. Servers in white uniforms walk through with serving trays.

A few people approach Jett, shaking hands. Warm hugs are exchanged, and they fawn all over Brooke who stands there, shyly, looking as if she wants to disappear behind one of Jett’s legs. I stand back, happy to be in his shadow.

A younger man, around my age, seeks me out.

---