Page 42 of Bitter Heat

“There’s a picture of you and him on a gossip site. Colette got tagged in it. Is it true?”

Her stomach curdled. She had known she would have to bring it up tonight, but she’d been hoping to ease them into it and not have to discuss Roth as soon as she walked in. They were all staring at her, waiting for an explanation. Even Kye and Bailey watched her, realizing something significant was going on, though they didn’t understand it.

“I went to Colorado to see Kaia. She had a heart attack while I was there, so Roth flew in,” she said.

Lyle spread his arms. “And? How did he end up with his arm around you at your building?”

“We flew back together, and he was shielding me from the paparazzi.”

“And that’s it?” Lyle pushed.

“Yes.”

“You know he moved back?” Colette asked.

She switched her gaze to her oldest sister and raised a brow. “He dropped that tidbit before we came back. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to upset you.”

“I would rather hear it from you than him.”

“You’re hardly in the city. I didn’t think you’d run into him,” Colette said with a delicate shrug.

Before Jasmine could snap, Ariana spoke up. “Are you all right?”

“Sure,” she said dismissively and kissed Kye on the cheek. If they really cared, they wouldn’t have walked away when she needed them.

“Let’s eat,” Lyle said as he came forward and gave her a hug. “It’s going to be all right,” he said quietly.

She gave him a long look. “Whatever you say.”

Rami took Kye from her and herded his children ahead of them.

“You can’t do anything without making headlines, can you?” he teased.

“I have to keep up my reputation,” she said and gave him a hug. “How have you been, Rami?”

“Busy, of course,” he said and slung an arm over her shoulder as he led her into the formal dining room.

She had a better rapport with her brothers-in-law than her sisters. Maximus raised them to be female generals in the male-dominated business world. They had been raised in the public eye and taught from a young age never to show emotion since it was a weakness and could be exploited. Lyle and Rami, on the other hand, were much more casual about showing affection and didn’t feel the need to be super macho.

She took a seat at the table and reached for the glass of wine waiting for her. Servers came out with artfully arranged Asian cuisine. She wasn’t surprised by the polite inquiries her sisters volleyed her way. They wanted to discuss business and mutual acquaintances she didn’t give a damn about.

She turned her attention to her niece and nephew who were much more interesting. Kye and Bailey were eager to tell her everything they had seen and learned in the weeks she had been gone. Bailey was learning French and German and switched between them while she spoke. Kye was partial to Spanish and spoke in broken sentences. Her niece and nephew were the main reason she bothered to come when she was still raw from her encounter with Roth. The children were warm and loving and eager to tell her about their lives full of travel, observations, and education. Ariana and Rami were definitely following the same curriculum she had been raised on, aside from boarding school. Her niece and nephew would be attending private school in New York, which meant she would be able to see them more often.

While the adults discussed market swings, capital gains, and investors, she focused on the kids. She had never connected with her sisters, but the kids were a beacon in her otherwise dreary world.

“Mommy says you miss Papa a lot,” Bailey said.

She blinked back the instant flood of tears. “She’s right.”

Bailey pressed a hand against her cheek, compassion radiating from her eyes. “It’s going to be okay. Papa’s in a better place.”

She nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek. “Yes, he is.”

“Miss Papa,” Kye piped up.

She pulled him against her and kissed the top of his head. “Me too, baby.”

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