Page 103 of The Art of Ruin

“You will be,” I repeat.

She watches me for a second, then nods, something grateful in her expression before she takes another sip of her drink. “Have you heard from Jasper?” she asks gently.

My fingers tighten slightly around my cup. “He showed up,” I say after a moment. “At the Rockefeller ice rink when I was with Letty.”

Her expression sharpens. “What?”

“He just… walked up to me. Like nothing had happened.”

“And?”

“And said he wanted to talk, then Adriano showed up,” I say, something shifting in my chest at the memory. “I didn’t call him. He just… knew. Or I guess his security team informed him.”

Isabella exhales slowly. “Of course he did.”

“He didn’t make a scene,” I add. “Just stepped in, and that was it. I guess Jasper saw him and left.”

She studies me for a moment. “He’s a good man, Casey.”

“I’m not doing that,” I say immediately.

“Doing what?”

“Whatever it is you’re implying.”

“I’m not implying anything,” she replies. “I’m stating a fact.”

“He’s my boss,” I say. “And I’m his nanny.”

“And you think that means he’s not allowed to be interested in you?”

“I think it means he barely tolerates me most days.”

Isabella actually laughs. “You cannot be serious?”

“I am.”

“Casey,” she says gently, “I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

I look down at my drink. “What about his wife?”

Her expression shifts slightly. “He doesn’t talk about her.”

“At all?”

“No. Nico says they met in Law school, married, and had Letty very soon after and she died suddenly when Letty was still a toddler.”

That sits heavier than I expect. He’s been through a lot and still manages to be an amazing dad to Letty. “I’m not ready for anything like that anyway,” I say quietly. “Not after—”

I don’t finish it.

I don’t need to.

Isabella reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. “I know.”

I nod, lifting my gaze—

And freeze.