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We snuggle in our own fairy-lit kingdom as I read to her.
Later, Ruby comes up and tells Brooke that her Daddy is home and would like to have dinner with her. “And you, too, Miss,” Ruby says, as I head towards my room.
“Oh, I’m not too hungry yet,” I say.
I am hungry, because I didn’t have any lunch, but I would like Brooke and Jett to have time together. Also, I’m not too keen on joining him for dinner. Last night put a sour taste in my mouth and I want to limit my contact with him.
I respond to a text from Jacques. He texted me about a pool party on Saturday night.
It could be fun. I don't know him, but he seems pleasant enough, and from our short conversation the other night, we seem to like the same movies and TV shows and read the same authors. My gut tells me he's a good guy. So, why not? Why not go to a pool party in Bermuda and enjoy an evening off?
I'm on the phone to Eliana, telling her about my day and what's been going on. Mostly about the private home cinema after sending her the pictures. She says I’m making her jealous.
“Anything happen? Anything we should dissect or analyze?” she asks, with a hint of mystery in her tone.
“Nothing,” I reply noncommittedly.
“How’s vacationing with your boss?”
“Ugh–haven’t really seen him much. He’s busy working.” No point telling her about the cocktail incident at the barbecue.
But my plans for a quiet evening are interrupted when there’s another knock on my door. It’s Ruby. “Sorry to disturb you again, Miss, but Mr. Knight needs to see you in the library.”
“In the library?” I frown. It’s not dinner then.
“The library. Yes, Miss.”
“I've been summoned,” I tell Eliana.
“Exciting.” She giggles, obviously having overheard. “Isn’t that what you’ve always dreamed of?”
“Not really.” I rub my temple trying to make sense of the sudden invitation.
Why now? Why to the library?
Then it dawns on me.
He's already found out about what happened at Madison's. How, I don't know.
“I'll call you later,” I say to Eliana then hang up.
Smoothing down my unruly hair and my dress, I check my reflection in the mirror, making sure I look somewhat presentable. Then I head downstairs and straight for the library, a heavy stone turning in my stomach. I haven't seen Jett since last night, since he apologized to me. I'm beginning to prefer it that way, because it makes things easy.
Even being at Abigail's, with the other moms talking about me, was bearable. Meeting Jett in the library is not.
I used to dream of moments like this, but now it feels weird. This is not a world I could inhabit. I miss Eliana, and suddenly, I miss my mom. I really miss my aunt. I feel the urge to call her later, but if I do, she'll just get worried, and I don't want to worry her. She already worries enough about me.
With a deep breath, I walk in. It's the library, not his office, so I don't knock. Our eyes meet and my heart flips.
He’s having that effect on me.
Again.
Even now.
Chapter 20
CARI