Chapter 8 #4
"Oh, enough introductions." She looked around dramatically before lowering her voice. "I have something much more important to tell you."
Amara laughed.
"I knew it. You've been holding it in ever since you walked over."
Juliet grinned without the slightest bit of shame.
"You remember Devin?"
"The one who divorced earlier this year?" Amara asked.
Juliet nodded so enthusiastically her earrings swayed.
"Everyone thinks he only started seeing that blonde model after the divorce." She subtly tipped her glass toward the woman standing across the deck beside Devin. "Turns out they've been dating since long before he left his wife."
Elise's eyes instinctively followed Juliet's gesture.
Across the deck, the elegant blonde laughed at something Devin said before slipping her hand through his arm as though they belonged together.
"They were together before the divorce?" Amara asked, her brows rising.
Juliet leaned in another inch, unable to hide how delighted she was by the revelation.
"Months before."
She paused just long enough to enjoy Amara's expression.
"And apparently his wife never found out."
"How do you even know that?" Amara asked, turning toward Juliet with a curious expression.
She tilted her head slightly, her fingers wrapped around the stem of her champagne glass as she studied her friend. There was no suspicion in her voice, only amusement because she already knew Juliet rarely had information without a story attached to it.
Juliet's lips curved into a knowing grin.
The kind of grin that immediately told Amara she was about to hear something she probably shouldn't.
She leaned a little closer, lowering her voice as the crowd moved around them.
"You remember Edwin?"
Amara's expression changed instantly.
Her brows lifted.
"Edwin?"
Juliet nodded.
"Devin's butler. The one who worked at his house before he got fired."
Recognition flickered across Amara's face.
"Oh."
Her gaze moved across the yacht, searching among the servers walking between guests with trays of champagne and appetizers.
"He's here?"
Juliet smiled and subtly lifted her glass toward the far side of the deck.
"There."
Amara followed her gaze and spotted the older man dressed in a waiter uniform, moving politely through the crowd. He greeted guests with a professional smile, his movements calm and practiced as he offered drinks.
"I didn't know he was working here now," Amara murmured.
Juliet shrugged lightly, a few strands of blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she leaned back against the railing.
"Neither did I."
She took a small sip of champagne before continuing.
"I ran into him when I went to get another drink earlier. We started talking."
Amara looked at her knowingly.
"And then?"
Juliet's smile widened.
"And then he told me everything."
Amara laughed softly, shaking her head as she brought her glass to her lips.
"I remember him. He was with Devin's family for years."
"Almost fifteen years," Juliet said immediately.
Amara looked at her with amusement.
Elise couldn't help looking between the two women.
Juliet continued, resting her forearms lightly against the railing.
"Edwin told me his son is leaving for France next month."
Amara's eyes widened slightly.
"France?"
"Yes. He's starting his own business there."
"What kind?"
"A small wine company."
Amara nodded slowly.
"That's a big risk."
"It is."
Juliet's expression softened as she remembered the conversation.
"He said he's proud of him, but worried too. You know how parents are."
She smiled faintly.
"They can watch their children become successful and still worry if they ate dinner or slept enough."
Amara laughed quietly.
"That's true."
Juliet glanced toward the waiter again.
"His daughter is doing well too. She recently had a baby."
Amara's face immediately brightened.
"Really?"
Juliet nodded.
"He showed me pictures."
A smile spread across Amara's lips.
"Of course he did."
"Apparently he carries them everywhere."
"That sounds exactly like him."
The two women continued talking, naturally moving from one detail of Edwin's life to another—the renovations he was doing on his home, his wife's health, his children's plans, and the small everyday things that made up his world.
Elise remained quiet beside them, listening.
The longer the conversation continued, the more difficult it became for her to hide her surprise.
She had always imagined women like Juliet and Amara existed in an entirely different world.
A world of private jets waiting on runways, designer gowns worn only once, billion-dollar companies passed down through generations, and extravagant parties where everyone carefully measured everyone else by their last name, their wealth, and their influence.
She hadn't expected them to know the name of a waiter.
She hadn't expected them to remember his children's dreams, ask about his family, or listen so intently when he spoke about the small details of his life.
It was strange.
They weren't talking about Edwin like he was someone who worked for them.
They were talking about him like he was someone they knew.