23. Ava
Chapter 23
Ava
Jet zips his laptop case shut and pulls his phone from his pocket. I rest one hip against the counter of the kitchen as I watch him. His face is serious. He’s in a navy-blue suit and deep gold tie. It sets off his tan and makes him look like a bronzed god.
I press my thighs together, easing the happy ache. He was true to his word and kept me up most of the night coming on his tongue. I must have eventually passed out, because I woke this morning to the sound of him skipping on the deck.
“Home time already.” I sigh and look around the luxurious villa as I unscrew the cap from my juice.
Jet frowns as he types on his phone.
“I’ll be sad to leave,” I say a little louder.
His attention stays on his phone as he says, “I’m sure you’ll stay in other places you like now that you’re flying again. ”
I open my mouth to confess that the idea of flying anywhere without him beside me is still terrifying. But his attention is glued to his phone. Callaghan and Ophelia joined some of their friends on a yacht this morning, so Jet’s access to him has been removed. Not that he seems concerned. He told me to pack this morning because it’s time to leave.
All his prior moodiness returned when he put his suit on this morning. Gone are the glimpses of the softer Jet I’ve been lucky enough to witness. The man in front of me isn’t the same one who opened up and told me how he misses his mother every day, and admitted he believes love is a game that’s not worth playing.
Jet Grant, emotionless, billionaire CEO is back.
I finish my juice and put the bottle in the recycling can.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Rochwell. Do you think Margaret has missed us?” I walk over to the table and pack my laptop away into its case.
“You maybe. Not me. But she’ll have to miss you a little longer. We aren’t going back to England yet.”
“Where are we going?”
“LA. I need to see Hayden and check in face-to-face.”
“As in, California?”
“I own an airline. Don’t sound so surprised.”
He slides his phone into his pocket and finally looks at me. His brow furrows as I shift from foot to foot.
“Umm. ”
“Words, Ava,” he clips.
“LA is where my mother lives.”
His eyes soften a touch. “Then you’ll be able to spend some time with her.”
“I will.” I nod, my heart fluttering as I soak in the magnitude of what this means. I haven’t seen my mother in months. And I’ve never been to her place in LA. She’s given me tours on video calls, but to actually be there in person with her will be incredible.
Jet strides over and packs away my laptop for me where my hands have ceased working.
“You ready to go?”
“I think so… I mean, yes. Yes!”
His eyes hold mine and something warm passes through the blue.
“Good. Then let’s go.”
“Are you getting out?” Jet arches a brow at me across the back seat.
I turn back to the door that his driver is holding open for me. “ Um, yeah.”
I take in the white two-story house with terracotta roof tiles. It’s pretty, with a well-tended lawn out front and a path leading up from the sidewalk. I can’t believe Mum is inside. That I’ll be hugging her in a few minutes. I’m so excited, yet I’m struggling to make my legs move.
The sound of Jet’s door opening and closing makes me jump, then he’s standing at my door in his driver’s place.
“Come on, Ava.”
I climb out of the car, straightening my dress as Jet takes my suitcase and motions for me to go first up the path. He follows me up the path, wheeling my suitcase. The door flies open before I reach it and then she’s there.
“Mum!” I run into her outstretched arms.
“My darling, darling girl.” She squeezes me and strokes the back of my head. “Let me look at you.”
She holds the top of my arms and moves back, her face lighting up into her movie-worthy smile as she takes me in.
“My darling, you look so well and happy. I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe it, either.” I grin. “You look amazing, Mum.”
“It’s the oxygen facials.” She drops her hand and performs a twirl, the fabric of her white, embroidered kaftan dress swishing around her legs. “And a new dress. ”
Her gaze moves over my shoulder, and I follow it to Jet.
“Mum, this is Jet. Magnus’s son. We’ve been traveling together. I was helping him work.”
It’s a lie. That might have been the reason this all began. But I’ve done nothing that resembles actual work.
I’ve just been a distraction.
Jet greets my mother with a newfound charm I’ve never noticed before. He even makes it look like he’s smiling. But it’s polite, practiced.
“So lovely to meet you, Zena,” he says smoothly as my mother swoons.
He turns to me, holding my case out.
“Ava, I’m needed in the office. I’m sure you and your mother have lots you’d like to do together.”
I beam at Mum. “We do.”
She takes my case from Jet and smiles. “Thank you for looking after my daughter and bringing her to LA. I’ve been wanting her to come for years.”
“She’s a pleasure to take care of.” His eyes meet mine and make my stomach flip.
“Come on.” Mum takes my hand and leads me toward the open door.
I look back at Jet. “I’ll call you, Ava. Have fun with your mum.”
“I will.” I grin. “Speak to you later.”
“I’ll call you,” he repeats.