Zak
ZAK
Seven weeks and three days. That’s how long it’s been since I spoke to Jaime. The worst thing is, I haven’t been able to tell anyone about it. After the argument I had with Alex, there was no way I wanted to tell him he’d been right. He’s insufferable enough as it is. And I didn’t want to burden Sol with it. He’s had enough going on with the shit show between him and Wes. Besides, I don’t want to hear bad things about Jaime. There’s a reason she’s ghosting me. And I’m pretty sure I know exactly what it is.
Things were great between us the day she walked out of the Den, so I can only assume things went to shit after she spoke to her parents. Which means, they must have pulled an epic fucking guilt trip on her ass.
This is something I’m realizing about Jaime Smith. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and she’ll let you know when she’s not happy about something but, beneath it all, she’s a people pleaser. She cares. Although our futures are completely different, the fact remains the same: neither of us want to disappoint our parents.
Unfortunately for Jaime, that means marrying Billionaire Ken.
Straightening my bowtie in the mirror, my heart beats erratically beneath the crisp white shirt, and I take a ragged breath. Don’t get me wrong. I’m fucking fuming. Ghosting someone is already the shittiest of shitty things to do to someone, but after you’ve spent twenty-four perfect hours together? No. And I’d tell her just how shitty she’s been, if I could find her.
Problem is, she’s been laying low. For the first couple of weeks, I waited outside her classes—outside the Hive—with zero luck. It’s like she’s disappeared. But I know she’s around. I’ve seen her car. The woman should be a fucking ninja.
One thing I do know is that she got her internship back. After a couple of weeks, I got curious, and called KBCX. They wouldn’t put me through to her, but it confirmed she was there. Turns out there’s secure basement parking at the building, too. Which means I couldn’t catch her leaving.
After two weeks, I gave up. I left the ball in her court, and if she doesn’t want to see me—if she needs time—then fine. There’s been no climbing the Hive and creeping through windows this time. I’m too angry. Too disappointed.
A knock sounds at my hotel room door and I turn away from the mirror to open it. My mom gives a little twirl in the hallway, showing off her gold-satin dress and I force a smile.
“You look beautiful, Mom.”
She frowns at me, her mom-spidey-senses no doubt tingling. “Are you feeling okay?”
No. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just a little nervous.”
There’s even a good chance Jaime won’t be there tonight. If she has any idea I’m here, I’m sure she’ll find a reason to avoid it.
“This is all to do with Mason’s daughter, isn’t it?” Mom says, stepping to me and straightening my bowtie.
I shake my head. “Mom—”
“Look.” She pins me with a look that has my mouth slamming shut. “I didn’t push you last time, but enough is enough. Spill.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “There’s nothing to spill, Mom.”
“Bull. Start talking, ary.”
I hold her stare for a minute, but I know she’s not going to relent. She’ll stand here in this room all evening if she has to. With a sigh, I turn and collapse onto the edge of the bed, my head in my hands.
“Fine. I’m in love with Jaime Smith.” Mom makes a small squeaking noise, but when I look up, her face is neutral, and she nods thoughtfully. I roll my eyes and continue. “But, as you know, she’s engaged to that British guy we met last time.”
Mom sits beside me and places a hand on my knee. “You know I’ll always take your side, baby, but I’m surprised. If they’re engaged—”
“It’s not like that,” I interrupt. “Look, you can’t tell anyone, Mom. Promise?”
She holds her hands up, her eyes creasing with concern. “I promise.”
“It’s a business arrangement,” I mutter, the words alone causing my stomach to roll. “Their parents orchestrated it when Louis and Jaime were kids. It’s so they can combine their fucking empires.”
When my mom says nothing, I turn my head to look at her. She shakes her head and releases a slow breath. “Are you telling me that they’re in an arranged marriage?”
I nod.
“And Jaime doesn’t want to marry this Louis guy?”
I shake my head. “Well, she didn’t. We’ve had a back and forth between us since freshman year and this year things finally got started. And then he happened. She was going to speak to her parents, but that was in January. I haven’t heard from her and . . .”
I trail off with a bitter laugh. I’m the piece on the side. It’s a story as old as fucking time. She said she’d leave him for me, but she hasn’t. I suppose I should be thankful she’s no longer stringing me along.
“Why didn’t you tell me last time?” Mom asks.
I pull a hand over my face with a groan. “I didn’t even know, Mom. I found out about Louis that weekend. She came to find me that night and we . . . talked. But I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to risk CHIPnique not getting a deal.”
Mom shifts a little on the bed to face me, her eyes narrowed. “Your happiness is worth more than any business deal, . Where are things now? If you haven’t heard from her since January.”
“I guess she chose Louis.” The words are like knives in my gut and my eyes fall closed as I swallow hard. Has she given herself to him properly? The day we’d spent in my room, she confessed they hadn’t even kissed properly. Surely, that’s changed now. My eyes burn behind my lids.
“You still love her, though.” Mom says softly, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.
I nod, pressing my fingers to my eyes. “She’s the one, Mom. I know it. But she won’t . . . She won’t choose me. She won’t take the chance.”
Beside me, Mom sighs. “Then maybe it’s time to let her go. If she was really the one, she’d take the chance. You’re worth the risk, baby. If she can’t see that, it’s her loss.”
I huff into my hands. It’s not just Jaime’s loss. It’s my fucking loss, too. And it hurts like hell. Over the past few weeks, I’ve busied myself with lacrosse, classes, and my friends’ love lives. But now, minutes away from potentially seeing Jaime again in the flesh? It’s agony.
“,” Mom says. “I’ll stand by you, whatever you decide. But I also don’t want to see you hurt.”
I nod and stand, grabbing my jacket from the bed and shrugging it on. “Thanks, Mom.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, and I hate that I’ve tainted tonight. She was so excited when she knocked on my door. Forcing my own smile, I take her arm and we head downstairs to the car.
Either way, I get answers tonight. If she’s happy with Louis, I’ll walk away. Hell, I might walk away regardless. I swing between fury and misery with such speed it gives me constant whiplash.
We don’t speak during the short journey to the Smith mansion, and by the time we join the procession of shiny black cars, I’m seconds away from vomiting. I keep reminding myself, she might not even be here. I have no idea if she comes to all of these events, or if last time was a fluke.
When the door opens and I step into the balmy evening, I suck in a deep breath and help my mom out of the car, aware of the cameras flashing, capturing our every move. It’s different this time. Without the distraction of sparkling Christmas trees, the sprawling courtyard is bare, allowing me to take in the enormity of the estate.
“I was thinking of buying a holiday home here,” Mom says quietly.
My head snaps to hers, my eyes wide, and she laughs.
“Hilarious.” This time my smile is genuine. “You never know. If you get a deal, you might be able to.”
Mom squeezes my arm as we move up the steps. “We’ll see.”
Just as before, a waiter greets us by name, offering us glasses of champagne, and as my mom heads toward the dining room, my footsteps slow.
I’m not sure I can do this. If Jaime’s here, how can I spend an entire evening in the same room while she ignores me. Because I doubt she’ll speak to me. If she hasn’t in the last two months, she won’t now. When I swallow, I wince. What if she’s happy? What if she’s hanging on Billionaire Ken’s arm, laughing and smiling.
“You don’t have to stay,” Mom says, touching my arm. “I’ll be fine. Go back to the hotel and order room service.”
“No.” I lift my chin and straighten my jacket. “I didn’t fly across the goddamn country to hide in a hotel room.”
Mom’s lips press together, but she nods, and together we head toward the open dining room doors. My heart slams against my chest with every step and I can honestly say I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life.
The room is decorated differently this time. Fresh flowers adorn the tables, and walls, and swathes of sheer materials drape from the ceiling. It’s pretty. But I can’t appreciate it. Not when my eyes are searching for one thing.
Mason and Melanie Smith are on the far side of the room talking to a small group, their laughter carrying over to where we’re standing, my mom checking the seating plan beside me. Jaime isn’t with them. Slowly, I scan the room. Louis is here. My jaw clenches as I watch him talking to a glamorous looking couple, all slicked back blond hair and white teeth.
For a second, I’m filled with hope. I can just about stand to be in the same room as Louis if she’s not here. I turn, continuing my search, and then my breath catches. She’s here.
It takes me a second to process what I’m seeing. It’s been so long, I almost believed I wouldn’t see her again. That in some way, she wasn’t real. But here she is. I can barely breathe as I watch her talking to an elderly woman I don’t recognize from last time. She’s thinner—noticeably so—and my jaw ticks as I drag my gaze over her flowing pale blue dress, wondering whether it’s due to stress. Is it anything to do with me? Does she miss me? How easy was it for her to walk away?
The questions build and build, and despite being vaguely aware of my mom tugging gently at my arm, I can’t stop staring. Perhaps sensing my attention, Jaime turns and looks in my direction, her smile immediately fading and her eyes widening.
“,” Mom hisses. “Let’s go sit down.”
Finally dragging my eyes away, I shake my head and follow my mom to our table. All the fury I’ve felt over the last few weeks has risen to the surface and I don’t know how to release it. I want to punch something. Preferably Billionaire Ken’s smug face. But it’s not his fault. This is all on Jaime.
Yes, I pushed. But she should never have let me in. She should have told me from the get-go that she was engaged, and I would have walked away. Instead, she wove her way into my blood, and now I don’t know how to undo it.
Downing my champagne and signaling for another, I let my gaze find hers again. At least she has the decency to look guilty. She should. What she did was cowardly and cruel. And if she thinks I’m going to leave here tonight without telling her exactly what I think of her decision, she’s got another thing coming.