Page 7 of Bourbon Girl: part 5 of 6
"Jesus." Jett breathed the word more than spoke it.
"Now you understand why I can't see him." The tears spilled over, hot against my cold cheeks. "Why I can't explain. Why everything is falling apart."
Jett reached over and clasped my hand, his fingers warm and solid around mine. The simple gesture of support made me cry harder.
"How can I help?" he asked quietly.
I shook my head, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat. His thumb traced small circles against my palm, patient and steady.
"You're helping," I managed finally. "Just by being here. By not running away from this mess."
"I'm not going anywhere."
The certainty in his voice made something in my chest loosen slightly. I squeezed his hand, grateful beyond words. We stoodlike that, hands linked, watching the fish gradually disperse now that the food was gone.
"Does anyone else know?" Jett asked after a while.
"The P.I. I've been working with. She's looking into Boyd's background, trying to confirm the timeline." I wiped my face with my free hand. "I haven't told anyone else."
"Your secret's safe with me." He gave my hand another squeeze.
"Bernadette! Jett!" Poppy's voice rang out across the campground. We both turned to see her waving from near the office, her bright purple coat visible even from a distance. "Y'all want some leftover chili? I made way too much!"
Jett released my hand slowly. "I should probably go. Need to get the hives winterized before it gets dark."
"Right. The bees. Thanks for checking on me."
He met my eyes with an intensity that made my breath catch. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"It's going to be okay, Bernadette."
I wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that somehow this impossible situation would resolve itself. But I couldn't shake the feeling that nothing would ever be okay again.
November 7, Friday
batcha group of barrels blended together to create a consistent product
WHEN Iboarded the bus, Jett and I exchanged a smile and a nod. The weight of yesterday's confession seemed to have lightened the space between us.
I felt almost normal as we headed toward the tour office. The November sun broke through the clouds, warming my face through the bus window. Sharing my secret with Jett made it slightly less crushing.
But when the bus pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Naomi's car and my stomach dropped.
Jett noticed her at the same moment, and his entire demeanor shifted. He sat up straighter, checked his reflection in the rearview mirror, smoothed down his shirt. The transformation was subtle but unmistakable.
Naomi stood near the office entrance, looking effortlessly beautiful in designer jeans and a cashmere sweater the color of autumn leaves. When she saw the bus, her face lit up with a smile that could power a small city.
"Great," I muttered under my breath.
Jett parked and opened the door, practically bounding down the steps. "Naomi! You should've called."
"I thought I'd surprise you." Her laugh was musical.
They embraced, and I watched from inside the bus as Jett's arms wrapped around her with obvious affection… and desire.
I gathered my clipboard and tried to look busy as the couple boarded the bus, still smiling at each other. Naomi's hand rested on Jett's arm in that casual way people do when they'recomfortable with each other. She turned her bright smile toward me.
