Chapter 9
JETT
As far as dinners with Alicia go, this one was definitely the most unexpected. Instead of going home for some hot sex, we are no longer together.
Of course, this all happens right after my disaster of a dinner with her—the one where I was supposed to give her the earrings. The ones I had Cari pick up for me.
I don’t even know why I bought them. A desperate attempt to feel something, to pretend we were fine. Especially after my father told me about his batshit idea to marry the daughter of a Brazilian heiress for the sake of increasing our wealth.
When I pulled out the little red box, Alicia went pale. Fear flashed in her eyes, and I knew right then what she wanted to avoid. She didn’t even try to hide it.
“I’m not ready to be a mom,” she said.
“They’re just earrings.” I handed her the box. She hesitated to take it. Not exactly the reaction I’d hoped for, but it confirmed my gut instinct.
I took the box back before she could open it to see for herself, realizing in that moment that Alicia and I were over.
I bought the earrings out of some twisted form of protest, trying to prove to myself that I didn’t have to follow my father’s ridiculous plan of marrying for convenience. I didn’t need that South American alliance, or whatever business venture he wants to rope me into. Maybe I was trying desperately to prove that I was unavailable in the face of my father’s idea to get married to someone I didn’t know.
I sensed the end was coming for Alicia and me. I just didn’t expect it so suddenly.
I’m not ready to be a mom.
Her words hit me harder than I expected. They opened my eyes, making me realize how far apart we really were.
It wasn’t the earrings she rejected. It was Brooke. I knew it, deep down in my gut. I think I’ve known for a while now. The truth is, I wasn’t in love with her, and nor was she with me. We were simply good together, and we had a good time. Unless we’re away on a vacation, sipping fine wine and champagne, enjoying life and relaxing in a pool at an expensive resort, she doesn’t want to be a part of my world.
She wants me, but not Brooke. It’s like this with most of the women I meet. They don’t want the whole package, but I don’t come without Brooke. She’s my world. My life. My everything.
Still, being with Alicia helped me in other ways, mainly that she kept me distracted from Cari. Helped me to keep my assistant out of my head. Alicia was never going to fit into my life long-term, but it was good while it lasted.
Because I didn’t love her, it didn’t sting too much. Her shock was almost comical. “You’re getting the bill? We haven’t even ordered the main dish!”
“You’re right. This isn’t going to work. I’ve lost my appetite.” I waved over the server, paid the bill and walked out, not looking back as she called after me.
I’m done with her.
And honestly? It’s a relief.
I head towards our office building, needing to get some files. This day couldn’t get any worse, because my father hit me with an unexpected trip to put some pressure on partners in Sacramento.
I have a feeling he’s doing it to piss me off. I told him I need more notice as I don’t like springing these trips on Brooke, but now I'll be glad to get away for a while and clear my head. It sucks to be away from Brooke so unexpectedly, but I'm going to make it up to her soon. I'll tell her tonight about the surprise I have for her.
I’m shocked when my father, Dex, and Zach walk out the revolving door. It's late in the evening and I have no idea what they’re doing together. I wait for them, needing to know if there’s a Knight family dinner tonight that I've forgotten about.
“Hey,” Dex slaps me on the back. “What’re you doing going back to work so late?”
“Yeah.” Zach looks at me quizzically.
“Is there a dinner tonight?” I ask.
“You'd know if there was,” my father replies.
“Then?” I feel oddly left out. What am I missing?
“Nothing much. We were discussing plans for expanding into foreign markets with the online learning sector,” Dex explains. He’s always so perceptive. He can sense my unease, and the question bouncing around in my head. What business are they talking about without me? With a slight shake of his head, Dex dismisses my concern. I wonder if the old man has been talking to them about the same marriage arrangement he's trying to force me into.
I don’t even know if Zach knows about it.
“Are you set for Sacramento?” my father asks.
“You’re going to Sacramento?” Dex looks disappointed.
“Got no choice. But yeah, I am. For a few days.”
“We'll get those drinks when you get back,” he says.
“What drinks?” Zach’s gaze flits from me to Dex.
“You can come along too, little bro,” Dex says in a Papa Bear voice, putting his large arm around Zach’s shoulder.
“You didn’t ask me, now you’re just inviting me out of pity,” Zach retorts, gruffly. Typical of Zach to feel left out. We all look at the floor because no one asks our father. I loosen my tie, feeling claustrophobic in the awkwardness.
“I only came back to pick up some paperwork.” I make a move to go through the revolving doors.
“Come for dinner,” Dex suggests. I school my face so that I don't look completely shocked out of my skin. They're having dinner with our father? On what is not a mandated family dinner night? Why the fuck would they put themselves through such torture? I’d rather have my toenails ripped out.
“I'm ? paying,” our father says. “Roberto Vasquez is at The Resort this week.”
“I don't have a fucking clue who he is,” I mutter. But I have a feeling he's some famous chef my father adores, and The Resort is one of Manhattan's top restaurants.
“Wagyu beef.” Zach licks his lips, trying to tempt me. He looks as happy as a puppy whose been handed a bone. Like this is a normal dinner with a normal family, and a normal father is going to treat them.
“I had dinner with Alicia.” I smile and tilt my chin, locking eyes with my father.
“Don't forget what we talked about.” Paul Knight eyes me and I feel my brothers’ stares.
“We'll have a beer when you get back,” Dex says, obviously knowing what it’s about.
“I'll call you.” Because I want to know what’s so important that he’s voluntarily having dinner with my father.
Back in my office, I rip off my tie and open the top button of my shirt. Sliding off my blazer, I head towards my wet bar and pour myself a glass of whiskey.
What a fucking day.
Sinking into my executive chair, I let out an exhale before taking a big sip of the amber-colored nectar. I close my eyes and let it go down, warming my insides, providing the comfort I so badly need.
It's too much. Alicia. My father. The marriage plan. Going to Sacramento. I should go home to Brooke. I should get the hell out of here. Taking another sip, I decide to quickly gather the paperwork I need, but my gaze falls on the pile of letters Cari left behind earlier.
I move it closer to me, see the letter at the top, and quickly rummage through the rest. They're just letters I need to sign. But this ... the white envelope, is different. I pick it up.
Jett Knight
is written on the cover in Cari's neat writing.
My heart trips a little. This feels personal. Intrigued, I rip it open in a rush to read what she says.
Dear Mr. Knight,
Please accept this letter as official notice of my resignation.
I will work my one-month notice period at the end of which I leave. In effect this makes my departure date to be August 17 th .
Sincerely,
Cari Summers
She's leaving me?
I spring out of my chair. What. The. Fuck?
I slap my hand to my forehead, the letter still in my hand as I pace around the room in shock. My stomach hollows out as I read it a second and third time.
Cari resigned?
I think back to our earlier interaction when she handed it to me. I was still worked up from the meeting with my father but she was perfectly fine.
How is that possible?
Me? I'm not fine.
I can’t wrap my head around the idea that she wants to leave me.
How the fuck am I going to function without her?
I run my finger over her signature.
Cari Summers
When did she write this?
Why?
Where is she going?
Why is she going?
And why the fuck didn't she tell me in person?
Because I had her running around to pick up Alicia's earrings.
Then I made her book dinner for me and Alicia.
All that time this has been lying on my desk.
I drain my glass dry and pour myself another before sinking back into my chair, thinking that just when this day couldn’t get any worse … my world imploded.