Page 17 of The Darkest Knight

I have never been to a Christmas party like this … ever.

I doubt I’ll ever see anything like this in my lifetime again. It’s everything I expected—over the top and dazzling—butmore.There’s a machine that jets out snow, and sometimes tosses out snowballs. There’s a hot cocoa bar. A Christmas cookie decorating station. There’s a miniature ride-on train. A photo booth in a sleigh. And we’ve just walked past a table full of gingerbread house supplies.

Brooke is having an amazing time. She ran up to me as soon as she saw me, with her friend Eden in tow. After giving me a hug, she disappeared and seems to be having lots of fun. I’m left to navigate the evening with Eliana and Bianca, who showed up shortly after I got here. We’re standing in front of a chocolate fountain surrounded by hordes of happy, sugar-high kids, dipping marshmallows and strawberries into the flowing chocolate.

My nerves are buzzing as I look around the glittering crowd. Jett’s presence steadies me in a way I hate to admit. The moment I arrived, he crossed the room to greet me, setting me at ease like it was second nature. Now, though, I sometimes catch glimpses of him watching me from across the room. He quickly looks away each time our eyes meet, but the shivery thrill it sends through me lingers.

It makes me wonder, as delusional as I am, if he feels what I’m feeling?

I shake the thought away, knowing that I’ve had too much mulled wine.

“This place is incredible,” Eliana says, her voice filled with awe as she takes in the winter wonderland Tobias and Savannah Stone have created. The toy store has been transformed with twinkling lights, fake snow, and live reindeer—the kind of jaw-dropping opulence that screams billionaire. I’ve read up on the Stones. They seem like nice people, given that they’re so rich. It gives me hope seeing them doing something nice and giving back to the community, especially for underprivileged children.

For Bianca and Eliana, this is overwhelming. For me, it’s familiar. I’ve been around Jett and his world long enough to expect the extravagant. But even so, this is on another level.

Bianca makes a face as she drinks from the glass of champagne she grabbed from a passing server. “I don’t know why I took this. I didn’t like the first glass I had. Where’s the beer?”

“Probably at the bar.” I point in the general direction, and she disappears in search of something less pretentious.

“So where is he?” Eliana asks, scanning the room. “The famous Jett Knight? I’ve heard so much about him but have never actually seen him.”

I gesture toward him. He’s standing near the reindeer with Brooke and Eden, Tobias’s daughter. Brooke is holding his hand, looking at the reindeer with wide-eyed adoration.

Eliana whistles softly. “I can see why you’re a hopeless romantic.”

Bianca returns, beer in hand, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the buffet further down from where we’re standing. “We need a table,” she declares. “We’re eating here. No way I’m going home hungry.” They're leaving tomorrow for the Catskills, and Eliana is staying over at Bianca’s tonight because it’s easier to leave from there together in the morning.

The evening blurs after that. We wander, eat, and drink, surrounded by the hum of laughter and the sparkling chatterof adults trying to outshine the decorations. I’m on my second glass of champagne—or is it my third? It probably wasn’t a good idea to mix mulled wine with champagne. Bianca and Eliana tease me about cutting loose for once, and I let them. Jett was right; I needed this. I so badly needed to see joy and wonder. That’s the vibe I get from this party.

After a while, the children begin to leave with their babysitters. Brooke leaves with Anna. Someone announces the adult party has started at the hotel next door. My friends are ready to head out, but I hesitate. The idea of stepping into another glittering room filled with strangers feels like too much.

Bianca and Eliana say their goodbyes, heading home to pack for their trip.

“Are you sure you won't come with us?” they ask.

“Nope. Please don't keep asking me.” I’m looking forward to having the place to myself tonight, and I’ll be popping in to see my mom and Aunt Scarlett.

I should leave too, but instead I end up at the after party. It’s something I’d never do if I were sober, but I’m feeling happy. Happier than I have in a while. Also, because the toy shop decorations blew me away, I was curious to see what the hotel would look like.

Once again, I’m blown away. The hotel’s ballroom is breathtaking, like something out of a Christmas fantasy. Twinkling silver lights adorn towering trees, and the buffet table is a feast for the eyes and stomach. Servers glide through the crowd with trays of cocktails, and the room buzzes with elegance and wealth.

I lose track of time. I’m talking to a group of secretaries who seem as out of place as I feel, and the drinks keep coming. Cocktails, mulled wine—everything starts to blur. By the time I glance at my watch, it’s 11 p.m. I’ve been partying for six hours. My head swims, and I realize I’ve had too much.

I make my way to the cloakroom, feeling unsteady. Leaning against the counter, I fumble with my purse, and it slips from my hands. Coins, cards, and my phone scatter across the floor.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” the attendant asks, concern in her voice.

“Cari.”

I look up to see Jett, already crouching to pick up my things. My stomach sinks. He’s the last person I want to see me like this.

“I’m going home,” I mumble, trying to steady myself, but my knees wobble. Jett rises, his hand firm on my elbow, his other hand holding my purse.

“Did you drink too much?” His voice is low and calm, and I can sense he’s displeased.

“I might have.” Shame washes over me. Even in my haze, Jett’s electric-blue eyes pin me in place, making me feel small and exposed. “But I’ll be fine. I’m going straight home.”

“You’re not going anywhere alone. I’ll take you.”

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