Chapter 12
CARI
Christmas comes and goes.
Eliana and Bianca head home to spend the holidays with their families. I stay at Mom’s place for the week, soaking up every moment. Me, Mom, and Aunt Scarlett do what we can to have a good time—laughing, eating too much, watching sappy holiday movies in pajamas. I get a massive Christmas bonus—way bigger than in previous years—and make a mental note to ask Jett if he’s made a mistake. The thought of walking into his office makes my stomach churn, so I let it slide for now.
That last week at work before we shut down for the holidays, things were weird between me and Jett. I kept my distance from him. I kept my head down and focused on work, and there was plenty of it. I will be relieved when this Vanhelm deal is done and dusted.
This deal is taking its toll on him. I’ve overheard arguments between him and his father. Paul Knight doesn’t trust Jett to close it—that much is clear.
But I forget all about work for now.
Mom’s responding well to her new treatment, so I let myself have hope. I need hope.
The new year comes, and I move back to my apartment. On New Year’s Eve, Eliana, Bianca, and I hit the city. Bianca’s boyfriend, who has music industry connections, snagged us tickets to a rooftop bar party with private viewing areas of the Times Square ball drop. We dance for hours at a club, then freeze our way through the evening, crammed shoulder to shoulder with the world. We drink cocktails in the glow of the city lights, watching the clock tick down to midnight.
I feel good. Hopeful. Like maybe this year will be different.
A few days later I return to work.
I should be refreshed, but walking into the office feels like a step into a boxing ring. I’m bracing for something, though I don’t know what. Jett mercifully stays out of my way. His office door is closed all morning, and I assume he’s grinding through the final stages of the deal, going over everything with a fine-tooth comb. It’s due to be signed soon, and missing anything now could be catastrophic.
I’m on the phone with Vanhelm’s team, double-checking paperwork, when Jett walks into the office.
I freeze. I thought he was still holed up in his office, brooding. But no—he’s here, smirking. And he’s not alone. The woman at his side is tall, slim, with glossy dark hair.
A new girlfriend. She’s beautiful, too, and draped in a camel coat that probably cost more than my rent. This woman looks like she should be on a catwalk.
Jett grins at me like nothing’s wrong. Like we didn’t spend the most confusing night of my life together. “Cari,” he says, all casual. “This is Alicia.”
Alicia. Of course her name would sound expensive.
She steps forward, towering over me in heels I wouldn’t dare attempt to walk in. Her handshake is firm and cool. “Nice to meet you.”
I nod politely. “You too.”
Jett’s gaze sharpens. “The addendum. Did you finalize it?”
The addendum. I straighten in my chair, pushing Alicia and her pristine manicure out of my mind. “I was just on the phone with Vanhelm’s team. I have it under control.”
“Good.”
Alicia turns to me with a sugary smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hear you’re very good at this. Keeping everything running.”
“Thank you,” I say evenly, ignoring the tightness in my chest.
“I imagine you’d have to be.” Her hand drifts to Jett’s arm. When her perfectly polished nails brush his sleeve, something ugly flares in my gut.
Jett doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he does and doesn’t care. “We’re heading to a Broadway show,” he says. “If you need me—”
“I’ll call,” I cut in. “But since when do you like Broadway shows?” This is news to me.
His brow furrows slightly. “I like Broadway shows,” he insists.
Alicia laughs softly, cutting him off. “It’s a musical. A grown-up one.”
Jett’s face falls so fast I almost smile. Almost.
“Well, enjoy.” I force a lightness into my voice that I don’t feel. They turn to leave, Alicia’s heels clicking on the floor as they disappear out of sight.
I drop into my chair, my hands trembling. I press my palms flat against the desk, sucking in a shaky breath.
This crush is killing me.
Seeing him with her—so loved-up, so indifferent to me—hurts like a blade to my heart. I need to leave. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve been thinking about it over Christmas, and now I know. For my own sanity, I need to get out of here.
I bury myself in work, pushing through emails and calls with single-minded focus. I don’t have time to spiral. Not today. This deal has to close, and I’ll be damned if I mess it up.
But as the afternoon drags on, my thoughts drift to Mom. She’s been tired lately—more tired than usual. Aunt Scarlett is getting worried. I asked mom if something was wrong, but she waved me off with that familiar smile and a soft, I’m fine, sweetheart.
She’s not fine. I know she’s not.
I shut down my computer and grab my bag, ready to head straight there. For once, I don’t care if I’m the last one in the office. I just want to see her, to hug her, to pretend for one more night that she’s okay.
Because I’m starting to think she’s not telling me everything.