Chapter 21

ARIA

I’ve been in close proximity to wealth many times since starting at DYAD, and just being in New York City in general, but today has been a whole new experience for me.

Normally, I have to rationalize every purchase I make—from buying a coffee to taking a Lyft instead of the bus or subway.

Even though I make good money, I have to cover the ever-rising cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood while paying for Grandma’s caregiver and groceries.

I wouldn’t consider splurging on a massage and facial, and I certainly have never had a personal shopping trip at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I am grateful but also a little uncomfortable with the amount of money Jett is spending on me.

But seeing my grandma laugh and talk with Jett like they’re old friends, seeing her be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, feels worth it to me.

I can’t help the way my heart flutters when Jett laughs as my grandma bestows an endless number of embarrassing details about little Aria.

And I can’t help but wonder if Jett truly wants to know or if he has another angle.

Then I feel guilty for thinking so.

It’s not an exaggeration to say our relationship has been built on distrust and manipulation. I don’t even know if this is a relationship, but if it is, can we move past that?

I glance down at my phone, my fingers hovering over the screen as my mind wanders to the other person who has surfaced in my life—someone I’m not sure I can trust either.

Before I realize it, I’ve opened the text message from Manny and am reading it again. It’s the third one since he first reached out a few nights ago, and like the others, I haven’t replied.

A knot of guilt tightens in my stomach. If he really didn’t care, would he keep trying?

I snap out of my thoughts as Grandma emerges from the dressing room in yet another beautiful outfit.

“Well, if this isn’t the most beautiful blue cardigan I’ve ever seen,” Grandma says as she looks down at her outfit and then admires it in a mirror.

I smile. “It is a lovely color on you,” I say.

Grandma looks at me in the mirror, then turns around.

“You okay, dear?” she asks.

I nod. “Of course. I just spaced out for a second.”

I must’ve not been convincing, because she sits next to me and puts her arm around me.

“You sure? What’s going on in there?” she says as she taps on my head.

I sigh, knowing there’s no point in hiding it.

“Um, I was wondering if… um, I could ask you about… my dad,” I say, finally letting the words go.

Grandma tenses up. “Why do you want to know about him now?”

It’s like she knows immediately.

“Erm… I dunno. I may have heard from him lately, and I don’t know how to respond,” I say.

Grandma scoffs, folding her arms. “Probably heard about your rich boyfriend and all your success and wants a piece of the pie,” she says.

I raise my eyebrows.

Jett left us at Saks to go to the office for a meeting he didn’t want to reschedule, but I don’t want the stylists to hear and be able to speak to the press before…I decide what to do.

I ask them to give us a minute, and when the room is empty, I turn back to Grandma.

“Why would you say that?” I ask.

“Oh, Aria, I’m old, not blind,” she says. “Jett has it bad. You could see it in the tabloid photos. And I’m sure your father saw it too.”

“Photos? Which photos? How did you see photos?” I ask.

“The ladies at the diner showed me the photos from the gala,” she says.

I suddenly feel very uncomfortable that people are talking about me behind my back. ~One thing at a time, Aria.~ I decide to drop the subject of my dad with her.

“Jett’s just used to being able to buy what he wants, Grandma, and I might as well enjoy it before he gets bored,” I say, finally realizing how I feel as I say the words.

“You can think what you want, but I’ve seen men look at women with lust and with love, and I don’t think he’s in lust,” she says.

“It’s not love either,” I say.

She shrugs. “Maybe not, but if he can buy what he wants, then he must want you something fierce,” she says.

I blush. “Grandma!”

“Aria,” she says seriously. “I know you worry. The weight of the world has been on your shoulders since way before it should’ve been. I’ve always worried it would harden you. Please, don’t let it. Be soft, be vulnerable. You deserve it.”

She squeezes my hand.

~You deserve it~.

Jett said those words to me just a few hours ago, and I’ve been questioning them ever since.

In fact, I question everything all the time. Every motive, every kind gesture. And not just from Jett.

Maybe I do need to find a way out of survival mode.

“Hi, ladies.”

We look up and see Jett entering the room. He has an easy smile, and I can’t help but notice my heart beat a little faster now that he’s back in the room.

“You look great, Louise. Did you two have fun?”

“I always have a good time with this one—but especially on someone else’s treat,” she says. Jett laughs.

He asks Gwen to have her team box everything up and take it out to the car at the curb.

As Grandma is getting dressed, Jett approaches me and kisses me deeply; then he pulls back and looks at me with heat in his eyes.

“I hope you found some things too?” he asks.

“Perhaps,” I say. “Including a few things I couldn’t show Louise.”

I see Jett’s pupils grow as he narrows his eyes at me. He may have all the money, but he only has some of the power.

***

Grandma plants a kiss on Jett’s cheek as she gives him a big hug to thank him for her spoils. Finally, we’re back in the car and heading to Jett’s around four p.m.

Our late night and busy day have drained me, and I’m suddenly feeling exhausted.

Jett begins to massage the back of my neck in the car.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, just a little tired, I guess,” I say.

“Well, feel free to take a nap before dinner. We won’t be eating until seven or so,” he says.

I look at him skeptically. “And what exactly will dinner entail?”

Jett leans over and kisses the space just below my ear, sending shivers down my spine before whispering, “If I told you, what would be the fun in that?”

***

I woke up in Jett’s bed just as the sky was turning pink and the lights from other buildings began to flicker on for the night.

I took Jett up on his offer for a nap; it was probably the most actual sleeping I’d done in his bed, and it felt great, though a part of me wishes he were next to me.

This is a slightly odd realization for me. I’m well-versed in being alone, but my main serious relationship, Gray, was more of the same.

He was an insomniac, and I would often wake up to him listening to a lecture on music theory or composing on his computer in another room.

At the time, I was fine with that, though I felt sorry for him. Now, I’m longing for someone else’s touch. It makes me feel both secure and uncomfortable.

I turn over in the bed and something catches my eye.

A gold gown hangs on a garment rack on the other side of Jett’s room. Even though it’s several feet away, I recognize the gown immediately as the one I wore to the gala.

Did he track Len down to find the dress?

I roll over and pick up my phone, dialing.

“Hey, hon. What’s up?” Len’s familiar tone reaches my ear.

“Hey, um, this is a weird question, and I don’t have a lot of time to explain, but…did Jett contact you for some reason?”

“You mean, did your billionaire boss call me up out of the blue and ask me where he could buy you the four thousand three hundred dollar dress that you wore to a gala weeks ago because he wanted to surprise you with it? No, why?”

I laugh. “Well, I guess that answers that.”

“Aria, you have to give me some details. What’s going on?” he asks with delight and amusement in his voice.

“Um, well, I’m sorta having dinner with him tonight,” I say. “And I spent the night here last night.”

“OHHHHH MYYYYYY GOOOOOD!” Len practically squeals. “I can’t believe it, you little minx, you!”

I giggle again. Len always brings out this side of me.

“You have to tell me everything,” he says, nearly breathless. I can hear a glass of wine being poured in the background.

“No, listen, I don’t have a ton of time because I have to get ready, but here’s the thing—please don’t tell anyone.”

“What about Katie?”

“Okay, you can tell Katie, but no one else. I am really not ready for any publicity, and it’s so muddy with everything going on at DYAD, so you have to keep it to yourself for now. I know you love to gossip, but you love me more, so do this for me, please,” I say quickly.

I hear him sigh. “Fine, but you owe me some serious details. I want dick details. I want some nasty stuff,” he says, and I laugh again.

“You’re sick, you know that?” I say.

“Duh. Now go enjoy dinner. Feel free to call me during and just set the phone on the table,” he says.

“Goodbye, Len,” I say.

“Love you, girl.”

“Love you too.”

I hang up, still smiling, and slide out of bed to start getting ready.

I don’t hear from Jett at all while I’m getting ready, but he said dinner would be around seven o’clock, so that’s what I plan on.

I pile my curly hair into a big bun on my head, leaving a few small pieces down around my face. I put on a little make-up—mainly blush and mascara—and then make sure my lips are soft but don’t bother with lipstick.

Finally, I slide into the gold dress. It fits just like it did for the gala, like I’m sliding into a body glove made specifically for me.

As I look at my reflection, I can’t help but smile. I literally feel a little giddy. This feels very much like a first date, and I’m finally ready to admit that I’m excited.

I check the clock on my phone—it’s 7:02. Right on time.

I take a deep breath and open the door to Jett’s room.

I walk down the long hall, and just before I turn the corner, Jett comes around and stops as he sees me.

His eyes drink in every detail from my head to my toes, and it makes me blush slightly.

“Aria, you are stunning,” he says as he reaches out and grabs my hand.

“You found the dress,” I say.

“It belongs on you,” he says. “I had to find it.”

I blush again. “Thank you, really. It’s lovely,” I say.

Jett pulls me to him; one hand slides down my back and the other grabs my chin. He kisses me softly, then pulls back with immense effort.

“You ready?”

I take a deep breath. “I dunno, Mr. Abrams. You’ve surprised me quite a lot today,” I say playfully.

A gorgeous, genuine smile spreads across his face. “Well, hopefully, you don’t mind a few more,” he says. “Now, close your eyes.”

I do as he asks as he guides me around the corner and across the great room. I feel the chilly air as we step out onto the balcony.

Jett positions himself behind me, his hands resting on my hips and his breath fanning across my neck and back.

“Okay, open.”