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His voice, even over the phone, ignites something in me. It’s not just arousal—though that’s undeniable. It’s him. His presence. His steadiness. His intensity. The memories of us together aren’t fantasies anymore. They’re real, tangible, and etched into my mind. But he’s not here yet, and it’s now late evening. I know we won’t see him tonight.
That leaves me with time to think. Too much time.
Celine’s words echo in my mind, her gentle warnings about Jett’s family, about Paul Knight’s controlling ways. About protecting my heart. I know she’s right to worry, but I don’t want to dwell on it.
Instead, I let myself think about something Jett mentioned last night. He suggested we go away for a few days after he gets back. Just the three of us and the bodyguard.
I laughed when he said that.
But I’m secretly thrilled about it—having time away from everyone on a small private island.
It’s not the physical side that I miss, though that’s part of it. I miss him. I want to lie in his arms, talk to him, and be with him—body and soul. The lines have blurred so beautifully, so seamlessly. It doesn’t feel messy—it feels like something new and wonderful, like we’re weaving the threads of our lives together.
I don’t want this to end.
“Here you go, ma’am!” Brooke’s cheerful voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
She hands me an empty plate with a flourish. “One pizza with salad, just for you. Can I get you anything else?”
“This looks divine.” I take a pretend bite from my invisible pizza. “Hmm, delicious! Thank you, Brooke.” I pat the space beside me. “Why don’t you have some with me?”
“I can’t,” she giggles. “I’m the waitress!”
“Surely waitresses need to eat?”
“Nope!” she declares. “But you can share with Elephant. He wanted pizza too.”
I smile as I feed Elephant a piece of the invisible pizza. Brooke’s forgotten all about the dolls, but it doesn’t matter. Her joy is infectious. And for now, in this moment, I can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
Eliana calls me later once I’ve put Brooke to bed. Her voice comes through, warm but cautious. “I’m sorry for being such a Debbie Downer when you told me about you and Jett.”
I smile at her words, even though guilt pricks at me. I’ve been so wrapped up in everything here. “It’s okay, El. Honestly, I’m just glad we’re talking.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt. Jett Knight has always been your Achilles heel, and I’m scared he’s going to hurt you even more. You have this huge heart, and you give it to people who don’t always deserve it.”
My chest tightens. “What’s this? A lecture? Should I be taking notes?”
“I just don’t want to see you crash and burn. I love you too much for that,” she says, exasperated but still loving.
I exhale, rubbing my hand over my brow. “I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re also vulnerable, Car,” she says, softer now. “Look at the year you’ve had. Your mom …” Her voice falters, and I feel the grief rise, sharp and raw, just like it always does when someone mentions Mom. “I just want you to be careful.”
I don’t respond right away because, honestly, what do I say? She’s not wrong. “Okay. I hear you.”
“As long as you’re having fun,” Eliana adds, a little lighter now, “and you’re leaving work soon.”
The words hit me like a splash of cold water.Am I still leaving?The answer feels less clear every day. “Yes, I am,” I say to Eliana, but inside, I’m not sure. So much has happened between me and Jett, and I don’t know what the next step is.
If there is a next step.
My stomach churns as I look toward the future. What happens when Jett and I return to the office? What if the connection between us fades, and he goes back to being the distant, demanding Jett Knight I’ve worked for all these years? Worse, what if he walks in with another tall, stunning girlfriend, someone more…Knight-worthy?
Eliana’s voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Has he been good to you?”
I think back to the trip here—his unexpected vulnerability, the way he’s been with Brooke, and how he’s looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. How he stood up for me to his rich friends.
“Yes,” I say, my voice soft but sure. “There’s so much about Jett you don’t know. He’s … different. More than people think.”