Chapter 27

ARIA

Though it felt like forever, it only took a few weeks for the media attention to die down, and my life began to settle into a new normal as I became accustomed to the spotlight.

Regular articles still pop up featuring my outfits of the day and showing candid moments between Jett and me in public, but they’re more favorable than anything.

After our ice cream date, the photo of Jett tying my shoe was plastered everywhere. People began speculating that our relationship was deeper than previously thought after Jett’s tender display.

Suddenly, black-and-white Converse shoes were selling out across the country, and Converse themselves reached out, asking me for my agent’s name so they could discuss me representing their brand.

Over lunch with Jett, I laugh at the idea of me modeling for a major brand, but he just shrugs.

“You could, you know. Brand campaigns are relatively easy to execute and tend to bring in a high rate of return,” he says.

“I’m not a model. I’m not a brand rep,” I say. “I’m just dating a famous, hot guy.”

Jett looks at me. “Aria, perhaps you haven’t heard this enough in your life, but you’re fucking stunning. Literally. And not just naked. If you don’t want to do it, that should be your reason, but you absolutely ~can~.”

I can’t help the smirk that slides up my face as I take another bite of my salad. Jett doesn’t mince words, and he doesn’t say things just to make someone feel better.

I try to play it cool, but somewhere deep down inside me, I feel my giddy, teenage girl voice say, ~Jett Abrams thinks I’m fucking stunning.~

***

Jett’s purchase of DYAD becomes official a few days later, and just as the ink dries, I suddenly find myself $3.2 million richer after taxes and fees.

Unfortunately, after meeting with several contractors, I learn that renovating Grandma’s brownstone will be more expensive than I thought. Plus, I want to upgrade her caregiver to full-time, which is more costly than I realized.

If I’m not careful, this money won’t last long.

Of course, I still have a job, but the email from Converse—as well as various other brands—sits unanswered in my inbox. I have no idea how long the interest in me will last, so perhaps now is the time to take advantage of it.

Within a few days, I hire an agent, a publicist, and an accountant to help me navigate both my buyout and my newfound influence.

I have no intention of making this my career, but I decide to take Converse up on their offer to star in a campaign for $500,000. They book the shoot for two weeks from the signing date.

I also sign a new contract with Alastair Holdings, LLC to stay on as the VP of operations for DYAD. Soon, Tim will be taking time off to start his family, so I need to find Jett a replacement assistant as soon as possible.

Somehow, I feel this will be an easier feat than it was before, as Jett has relaxed his intense work ethic to spend time with me.

The most qualified individuals who apply for the job are all young females, with the exception of a few men.

I interview each one and suddenly find myself picturing them spending a significant amount of alone time with my boyfriend.

I have never been the jealous type, but for some reason, I can’t help but worry that each and every one of these women is hoping they’ll be the next assistant-turned-girlfriend.

What if Jett finally gets bored with me? What if he realizes I’m not that special after spending time with someone else? The insecure voice in my head is relentless.

I repeatedly tell myself how ridiculous my reservations are and decide to hire the most qualified applicant—a young woman named Kaitlin with a degree in management from Rutgers.

Jett declines the need to interview her himself, and I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse. If I could see him be cold to her, it might make me feel better.

Then I think how ridiculous my inner voice sounds, and I attempt to push the thoughts away.

The day Kaitlin starts at Alastair, I show her to her office—the office I’ve occupied for the last three months—and hand over the PA cell phone and planner. After introducing her to Vivian, I walk her into Jett’s office to make the official introductions.

Jett looks up from his computer and smiles at us as we approach.

“Jett, this is Kaitlin Brooks, your new assistant. Kaitlin, this is Jett Abrams,” I say.

Jett stands, and Kaitlin approaches him to shake his hand.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jett. I’m a big fan,” Kaitlin says.

“Is that so?” Jett asks as he sits back down and motions for us to sit in the seats in front of his desk.

“Absolutely,” Kaitlin says breathily. “We studied several of your campaigns and your business model in school. You’re a bit of a legend at Rutgers.”

“Rutgers, huh? Are you originally from Jersey?” he asks.

“Actually, I grew up in Queens like you,” Kaitlin says as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “This feels weird to admit now that I’m sitting here, but I also read your biography, so I feel like I’m already kind of a Jett expert.”

Kaitlin blushes slightly as Jett chuckles.

“Ha, I didn’t know a class would make my biography required reading,” Jett says with a smirk.

“Oh, they didn’t. I just wanted to read it, so I did,” she says with a small giggle. “I actually chose to write about Alastair Holdings, LLC, for my senior project as well.”

Jett’s eyebrows go up. “Wow. Well, I’m flattered. So, what is your degree in?” he asks as his eyes shift from her, briefly to me, then back to her.

“Business Management. I’d love to go back for my master’s, but I really wanted to get out into the workforce for a bit first,” she says. “Plus, Knicks tickets aren’t free.”

“Knicks fan, huh? Perfect. You’ll do just fine here,” Jett says as he leans back in his chair, and Kaitlin lets out another giggle.

“Well, if you ever have an extra ticket, I’m there!” she says.

They both laugh as I force a smile. I honestly can’t tell if I’m overreacting or not, but the whole exchange feels incredibly flirtatious to me.

But I simply try to redirect the conversation back to the tasks at hand and what is expected of Jett’s PA. Of course, I make this list much less demanding and time-consuming than it was when I started.

For the next week, Kaitlin bustles around fulfilling the tasks of Jett’s PA, while I settle into my old/new job in my new office.

Jett offers to allow me to return to my old office in the building Tim was renting, but I opt to occupy an empty one in Jett’s building.

My new office is near the elevators on the top floor, which provides a lovely view but also gives me a front-row seat to anyone’s conversation as they enter and exit the elevator.

Just a few days later, I overhear Kaitlin as she steps onto the elevator.

“Oh my god, he’s so fucking gorgeous, Syd, and we vibe super well. I only wish I’d met him when he was single—but hey, they might not work out,” she says with a giggle as the elevator doors close with her inside.

My stomach twists. She must think I’m not here, or she doesn’t realize how far her voice carries. I attempt to go back to work, but Kaitlin’s words echo through my mind.

Later that day, I walk into Jett’s office and notice Kaitlin leaning over him at his desk as she points to something on the screen. She playfully slaps him on the shoulder and laughs at something he said.

When she sees me, the smile drops from her face as she stands up straight.

“Oh, hi, Aria,” she says as I approach. “Can I help you?”

“I need to speak to Jett,” I say.

“Oh, uh,” Kaitlin looks down at Jett, who nods at her.

“You can check in later, Kaitlin,” he says.

She squeezes his shoulder and leaves.

Jett makes eye contact with me, then slides his eyes down and back up my body as we listen to Kaitlin’s footsteps and then the door close.

Jett stands and approaches me. My heart beats faster as his body moves into my space, just like the first time.

“You look like you have something important to tell me,” he says as he slides a hand around my neck and kisses my jaw.

“I’m worried,” I say shakily as his lips travel down my neck, “that I’ll sound like a crazy person.”

He pulls back and narrows his eyes as they lock with mine.

“Tell me,” he says.

I try to look away, but he gently grabs my chin.

“Aria,” he says. His eyebrow goes up, concern etched on his face.

Words spill from me. “Kaitlin is attracted to you. I—I overheard her, and I’m just, like, what if…I mean, if you don’t want to be with me, then just tell me!” I say, tears filling my eyes.

I suddenly feel insane. That is ~not~ what I meant to say, but my brain is frazzled by insecurity and Jett’s touch.

Jett’s expression softens as he grabs my face.

“Aria,” he says in a low tone. “You could tell me to drop to my knees in front of you and beg for you, and I wouldn’t hesitate.”

I flinch at his confession.

“I am yours, and only yours, forever,” he says. My heart drops at the word ~forever.~ “We will let her go.”

My eyes widen. “Oh, uh, no, that’s not necessary. I just wanted—”

“Stop,” he commands. “I wanted her to work out, because I know you don’t need anything else stressing you out right now. I can sense her, er, casualness. I’m not a fan.”

“Really? I feel…guilty,” I say, even though I’m a little too gleeful at his dislike of Kaitlin.

“Don’t. I’ll pay out her vacation and write her a recommendation letter,” he says. “Then you can find me a new assistant—one who is married…or blind.”

My eyebrows go up. “Wow. So, they’d have to be blind not to be attracted to you?”

Jett chuckles, and it sends shivers down my spine.

“No, they’d have to be blind not to be envious of~ you,” he says, and then he kisses me deeply. “Tonight, I need you. Can you leave early?”

I smile. “I’ll ask my boss.”

“I heard he’s a real hard-ass,” he says.

“Eh,” I say. “He has his moments.”