Chapter 30

ARIA

For the next week, I start training the new manager at DYAD, Michael, while also coaching Jett’s new assistant, Calvin. Luckily, both men are qualified and quick learners, so it goes relatively smoothly.

A week and a half later, I’m having a much-needed pizza and wine night with Len and Katie at Katie’s studio apartment.

In addition to my demanding job and an even more demanding Jett, Len has been attached at the hip with Joel, and Katie got promoted at her accounting firm, so all three of us have barely seen each other since my birthday party at Nobu.

Tonight, the stars finally aligned.

Katie brings us glasses of wine and then sits on a bench at the foot of her bed, while I sit in a small armchair, and Len sits in the window seat.

“So, where is Joel tonight?” I ask.

“A co-worker’s birthday party,” Len says as he sips his wine and looks out the window.

“On a Friday night?” Katie asks. “Sounds fun! Why aren’t you with him?”

“They’re all PR people. They have two drinks max and then talk about celebrity gossip, but not in a fun way,” he says as we scoff. “They just talk about their social media campaigns and photo ops. I decided I’d much rather be here.”

“Aww, I miss you two as well,” Katie says. “Work has been crazy since the promotion, but ~also~”—she bites her bottom lip with glee—“I’m sort of seeing someone.”

Len and I exchange surprised looks, then look back at Katie.

“And who is this mystery man?” Len asks.

Katie smiles. “Um, just a guy, but we’ve been kind of inseparable lately,” she says, and I can see the giddiness in her. “His name is Clint. He works for the tech company that my work uses. He’s kind and funny and super sweet.”

“Clint!” Len exclaims. “I knew you’d hit it off with a Clint or a Connor—someone with a C.”

“Ooo, or a Christopher!” I say.

“Yes!” Len says, and we laugh.

Katie scoffs at our teasing. “~Anyway~,” she says with a hint of annoyance, “if things keep going well…I won’t have to be the fifth wheel to you two anymore! Who would’ve thought you all would get into committed relationships before me?”

“Not me,” Len says. “I was committed to being single before meeting Joel. No matter how hard I tried to shake him off, he kept clawing his way back in.”

“He seems really sweet,” I say.

“He is. I guess opposites do attract,” Len says coyly. “Speaking of committed relationships, how are you and your billionaire sex-god boyfriend doing?”

I roll my eyes but can’t stop the smile that slides up my face. “It’s good. He’s good, um, really good actually. But…”

“But what?”

My shoulders slump. “Ugh, I dunno, this is not a ~normal~ relationship. Everyone wants him, and there’s a ton of press attention on me, and it’s all just ~so much~,” I say as the words come tumbling out of me.

“I’m constantly being contacted by reporters, and I tried to prepare for all of this, but I didn’t expect it to be so overwhelming. Sooo… Jett suggested that we go to Italy for a few weeks to… get a change of scenery.”

“Ooo, a romantic getaway? To Italy? On a private jet?! That’s, like, my dream!” Len says.

“Um, that’s everyone’s dream,” Katie says. “That’s great, Aria! Are you excited?”

“Yeah!” I say, but the enthusiasm I’ve injected into my voice doesn’t convince my closest friends.

“But…?” Katie prompts.

“Well, his mom will be meeting us at some point. She lives in Croatia full time, but Jett is flying her to Italy. She was pretty cold when I met her, and…I dunno, I’m just nervous,” I say, swirling my glass absentmindedly.

“But you weren’t dating yet when you met her,” Katie points out.

“Right,” Len says. “Maybe now that she knows you’re official, she’ll make an effort.”

“I mean, that’s the hope,” I say as I let out a sigh. “I know she’s a fan of Jett’s ex.”

“You mean Lena Dixon? Yeah, I mean what woman wouldn’t want ~her~ for their daughter-in-law!” Len says, and Katie outstretches her leg to kick him. “Ow! I mean, like, on paper. She’s probably a huge bitch in real life.”

I laugh. “She’s just as beautiful in person, but…something about her and Jett just didn’t ~fit~. They’re both really strong personalities, and I imagine that would lead to a challenging dynamic.”

“And he does ~not~ seem like the type to be led by someone else,” Katie says.

I think about Jett’s dominating personality, how commanding his effort can be—and yet how attentive he is. He likes to be in the driver’s seat and, for the first time in my life, he’s someone I trust with the keys.