Chapter 5
CARI
I brace myself. Any moment now, Jett will walk in, dressed not in a tux but in his impeccable black suit—the kind that screams power and wealth. The one reserved for fancy black tie occasions.
Tobias Stone’s Christmas party is a highlight of the season—for adoption centers, and for the children waiting to find a home. It always takes place in the late afternoon. Last year Jett came to the office with little Brooke in his arms, the perfect doting dad. The gorgeous, debonair, charming billionaire carrying his little girl. She looked like a fairy in her silver sparkled dress. I fell even more in love with her then. I still don’t know what happened to her mom, and sometimes I find myself thinking about Brooke, and wondering if she has questions about it.
I can’t remember if Jett was single at the time. He’s had so many girlfriends while I’ve been here, that I lose track of who was around when.
This year, he’s gone home to get ready with Brooke, but he mumbled something about having to stop by here to sign some paperwork.
No doubt torturing me with the sight of him dressed like ... that.
I focus on filing, typing meeting minutes, and updating schedules—anything to keep busy. I’d call this “just another day” if it didn’t involve me slowly unraveling every time he’s near.
I called Aunt Scarlett earlier and she said my mom was tired but otherwise in good spirits. She's eating properly, and keeping it down. Not throwing up. It always happens after an infusion, but she seems to be getting her energy back.
I can't wait for next year.
Next year, all of this will be behind us, and I can move on. It feels like my life is in a state of limbo.
But it will get better.
It will.
Childish laughter echoes down the hallway. My heart skips as Brooke barrels in, clutching her beloved, tattered elephant, which she drops as soon as she sees me.
“Hey, sweetie!” I scoop her up into the air. I can't remember when it started. One day she came into this office and came running towards me. It was the most natural thing to do, to lift her up. I haven’t even told Eliana or Bianca about it because they'd only laugh at me and tell me off for getting too carried away with my daydreams.
I've seen this little girl grow up before my eyes and we have an indescribable bond.
I set her down gently, marveling at how she’s grown. From the moment I started working for Jett, I’ve watched her go from a cute toddler to this beautiful little girl who lights up every room.
“You look gorgeous!” I say.
“Thanks! We’re going to a party.”
“I heard.”
Anna, Brooke’s nanny, walks in and we exchange polite smiles. Just as I’m about to say something, Jett strides through the door.
And suddenly, time slows down.
His dark hair is slicked back with just enough wave to soften the sharp lines of his face, his electric-blue eyes cutting through the room like a spotlight. The suit hugs him like tailored perfection, showing off his broad shoulders and lean frame in ways that make my thoughts scatter. He’s the kind of man who makes everyone else look like a poorly rendered sketch.
It’s insane.
“Video conference with my father,” he mutters, already disappearing into his office.
“Can I pop to the restroom?” Anna asks. “Didn’t even have time to put my lipstick on. Jett rushed us out. ”
“Go ahead. You know where it is.”
Of course, he rushed them. The man probably booked a conference call with his father right before a party for orphans. Classic Jett.
“Are you coming?” Brooke asks, her big, hopeful eyes nearly undoing me.
“Oh sweetie, no. I have to work.” I dig into my drawer. “I got you something.” I pull out the elephant coloring book. It was hard to find, and I ended up getting it online from a niche supplier because it's not easy getting a children's coloring book that is only filled with elephants. “I thought you might like this.”
Brooke’s giggle is pure magic—light, bubbling, and filled with joy. She throws her tiny arms around me.
"Oh, sweetie." I'm taken aback. Brooke and I are close, even though I see her infrequently. I'm glad Anna isn't here, because I don't sense that bond between Brooke and her nanny. “What was that for?"
"I love you," she says, matter-of-factly, as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
Her words catch me off guard. "I ... love you too," I manage, my voice soft. She’s just a little girl, but she means more to me than she should. Ever since Mom got sick, I’ve been thinking too much about what it meant for a child like Brooke to lose her mother. A child who was barely one year old at the time.
Anna returns, and we chat briefly while Brooke makes herself at home in my chair, happily coloring. I pick up her battered elephant from the floor.
“Is Elephant coming with you?” I ask.
“Yeah. He goes everywhere.”
“Just don’t lose him, okay?”
"I'll hold on to him for you," Anna says, taking the toy from me.
"Make sure she doesn't lose him.” I fear that Brooke will get separation anxiety if she ever loses her cuddly toy, but I realize I'm overstepping my mark. Anna’s the nanny, not me. But the thought of Brooke not having her comfort toy twists something in me.
“You didn’t go to this party last year, right?” I ask Anna.
“Nope. I wasn’t here then.”
I nod, remembering the revolving door of nannies. Brooke gets a new one every year, or so it seems. It’s no wonder the poor kid clings to her stuffed elephant. I glance toward Jett’s office. I only deal with him during business hours, and that’s hard enough. Anna has him twenty-four seven. How does she survive?
My stupid crush doesn’t help. Every time he walks in wearing one of those suits, looking like a dream I shouldn’t dare have, my heart races. It’s embarrassing. Unhealthy. I wonder if anyone’s noticed. Probably not. It’s not love—it’s just ... a little obsession.
"I hear it's meant to be a lavish occasion."
"I'm going for the free drinks and food,” Anna says.
"You'll have fun," I tell her, then loudly, in Brooke’s direction, "I hear there are reindeer there this year."
"There were reindeer there last year," Brooke says, as if its normal.
Jett reappears, phone glued to his ear. “Are we ready?” he asks, briefly pulling the phone away.
Anna nods. “Come on, Brooke. Time to go.”
"Do what you want," Jett snaps into the phone, presumably at Dina. “If you don’t want to come to the kids’ party, join us later at the hotel.” From the sound of it, she’s not keen.
I kneel beside Brooke. “Do you want to take the coloring book with you?”
“May I?”
“You may.” I tap her nose, smiling as she clutches her toy and coloring book.
My ears are on high alert, rather like a doberman’s. It’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I can't help it.
We stand there in silence, waiting for Jett to finish his conversation.
"Come if you want to, or don't if you don't want to." He presses the button to end the call. “Ready, sprout?” Jett holds out his hand. The sight of them—father and daughter, so effortlessly bonded—stirs something inside me. My chest tightens, and goosebumps prickle my skin.
“Yes!” Brooke beams.
"Have fun sweetie," I say.
"Can't you come?" Brooke pleads again.
I feel bad that she's asking me, especially in front of Anna.
"I have too much work to do.” But that’s just a weak excuse. I can’t just tag along. There’s no reason for me to be there, and I’ve not been invited.
“You should come,” Jett says, his voice softer than usual. He slides his phone into his pocket, his gaze locking on mine. “Take some time. Have some fun.”
I blink at him, startled. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, I’m talking to you. The work can wait,” he presses. “It’s been a rough week.”
He knows. Of course, he knows. I’ve been on edge, worried about Mom’s IV treatment and Aunt Scarlett has been worried about the rent—I used to contribute when I lived there, but with Mom’s having to stop working since she got ill—and everything else in between.
It’s unnerving how much he notices.
“Bring anyone,” he adds. “Your plus one, friends, whoever. You’re welcome.”
Anna shifts uncomfortably. Jett glances at her. “You’ll probably need to take Brooke home after the kids’ party.”
I hesitate. “Okay. Maybe. Later, once I’ve finished for the day.”
After they leave, I text Eliana and Bianca: Billionaire’s Christmas party. Free drinks. You in?
I already know their answer.