Haven’t read Jet & Amaya’s second chance romance between former high school crushes yet? Check out Date for Hire and the rest of the Men for Hire series here.

New Year’s Eve Morning
Jet
“That was fucking amazing.”
Jet tumbled onto the mattress and gathered Maya into his arms. His heart pounded and his chest heaved as he tugged the covers up over them. He could barely catch his breath, and it had taken every one of his few functioning post-orgasmic brain cells to utter those four eloquent words.
Weight training wasn’t enough. He needed to up his cardio game. Because Amaya Walker gave as good as she got. And she clearly enjoyed testing his endurance—in bed, on the dancefloor, in the pool, and on the exercise mat.
Jet had no complaints. He loved every moment of the life he and Maya were building together. And even though it had been little more than six months since they had reconnected, in some ways it felt as if they’d never been apart.
“Mmm hmm…” Maya hummed her agreement, barely audible over the automated R&B playlist playing low in the background. She curled into him, casually throwing one generous thigh across his. She burrowed into the space beneath his arm and sighed softly. “I definitely can’t wait to do that again.”
“Me, too, babe.” Jet chuckled as he kissed her glistening forehead. “In fact, I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year.”
“John Edward Thomas.” Mye lifted her head, her tone filled with warning as she invoked his government name. “You’re not seriously suggesting that we cancel tonight’s party? We’ve spent a small fortune on this little soiree. The catering, the event planner, the tent we rented for the backyard…the team will be here to set everything up in less than two hours.” There was a hint of panic in her voice.
“No, of course not.” He totally was. Maybe not seriously, but if Mye had been on board, he’d be sending a group cancellation text right now.
“We’ve lost so much time…” Jet winced; his chest heavy with regret. “I never take a moment with you for granted, Maya. Can you blame me for wanting you all to myself tonight?”
“It’s sweet that you’d be content to celebrate our first New Year’s Eve together right here.” Amaya dropped a quick kiss on his lips and stroked his beard, her eyes filled with a love that made his heart swell. “And I cherish our time together, too. But our friends and family would be disappointed if we canceled.”
“I know. I’m just trippin’. You got a brother hooked on that good good, girl.” Jet twirled a strand of Maya’s long, curly hair between his fingers. They’d made love—sans barrier—for the first time. And his body was already craving another hit of pure, unadulterated pleasure. “You put a lot of effort into this party, and I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to tonight.”
“Good.” A sensual smile lit Maya’s eyes. She dragged a thumb across his lower lip, then leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “And for the record, I’d rather spend the evening here in bed with you, too.”
She pressed a slow, sweet kiss to his lips before slowly pulling away and studying his face. Her smooth brown skin practically glowed, and her tousled hair was wild—almost feral. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing. Yet, she’d never looked more beautiful.
Amaya was an incredible woman. Smart, kind, generous, self-sacrificing. She found joy in caring for the people she loved. It fueled Jet’s admiration for her. He wanted to be there for Maya. To support and take care of her the way she so lovingly nurtured everyone else in her life.
Every moment they spent together reminded Jet just how lucky he was to have been given this second chance with her.
“I love you, Mye.” Jet pushed back the curls that had tumbled forward and partially covered her face.
“I know.” Amaya flashed him a watery smile and nodded. “And I love you, too.”
She trailed a fingertip down the center of his chest, and his body instantly reacted. But as he met the warm gaze that had first taken his breath away when they were both just teenagers, his heart expanded, too.
The way this woman looked at him…smiled at him. His heart lay in the palm of her hand, and she knew it. But Jet wouldn’t want it any other way.
He glided his fingers into her thick curls and tugged her mouth toward his. Their lips crashed in a kiss that shot electricity down his spine and heated his skin as Ne-Yo serenaded them with a song Jet hadn’t heard in a while: “Religious.”
Jet loved the song because it was straight fire. But in that instant, the lyrics of heartfelt gratitude for a once-in-a-lifetime love truly resonated. He felt every single word in the deepest recesses of his soul. The cold, dark spaces filled with lingering grief over the loss of his older brother. Where he’d once harbored the belief that he’d never settle down. That maybe he didn’t deserve the kind of woman who would make him want to settle down. But then came Maya.
Amaya Walker was everything Jet had ever dreamed of and much more than he deserved.
He’d screwed up in high school when he hadn’t told her how he felt about her. Now that Mye was back in his life, Jet had complete clarity about his feelings for her and how he envisioned his future…their future.
Jet forced himself to break their kiss. He studied Amaya’s gorgeous face. The words he wanted to say jumbled in his brain. Not because he was afraid to say them. Because Mye was too important to him to fuck up with her again.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” She cupped his cheek, her brows furrowing with concern.
“Nothing.” He kissed her palm. “But there’s something I need to take care of this morning.”
“Right now? At this very moment?” she asked with the most adorable pout.
“Afraid so. And believe me, you’re not the only one who’s disappointed.” He indicated where his hardened dick tented the sheet.
Mye’s eyes widened and one corner of her mouth curled in a smirk. “You know, I could take care of that for you.”
Jet groaned. “You have no idea how badly we’d like to take you up on that offer.”
She giggled, and he chuckled, too.
“Believe me, if it wasn’t truly important, you wouldn’t be able to pry me out of this bed.” Jet gave her a quick kiss. “Raincheck? I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“Okay.” Mye nodded.
He kissed her again and promised he’d be back in time to help set up for the New Year’s Eve party. Then he took the quickest, coldest shower he’d ever taken. Once he got dressed, he searched for the business card he’d slipped into his wallet two months ago. Then he got into his brother’s old pickup truck and drove to Buckhead.
Amaya
Midnight was less than an hour away, and Amaya couldn’t be more pleased about how their New Year’s Eve party had gone. She was glad Jet had insisted that they cater the affair so she could enjoy the evening. They’d hired a caterer she often worked with for events at Indigo Peach Records, where she was the executive creative director.
Estella had prepared a feast of pork roast, fried catfish, Hoppin’ John, collard greens, cornbread, and a few other sides and desserts, including a variety of delicious vegan options. The chef’s crew of servers, dressed in crisp black and white uniforms, ensured that the evening went flawlessly. And it was good to know that she and Jet wouldn’t be saddled with clean-up at the end of the night.
They’d had dinner on the large, heated covered porch. Then they’d moved to the rented tent that covered the fire pit and the seating area overlooking the pool. The backyard was an ethereal winter wonderland. Both spaces were draped in white fairy lights and decorated with poinsettias, bouquets of fresh, fragrant flowers, and candles of various shapes and heights in subtle, seasonal scents. Despite the chilly temperature, the heated spaces were warm and cozy.
It was wonderful to hear the laughter and excited chatter of their friends and family. Everyone looked so elegant in their semi-formal attire. Jet had been taking photos all night, but as she scanned the tent now, she didn’t see him.
Her best friend Deena Wright and her husband Calvin were chatting with Jet’s best friends Montez and Drevon Ross and their significant others: Desiree and Antika. She and Jet were blessed to have close friendships since childhood. Amaya had been thrilled to discover that they both genuinely liked each other’s friends. The meshing of their families had been just as seamless.
Her family adored Jet, and he was just as enamored with them. Jet’s parents had been warm and welcoming to her. Her parents and his had commandeered a table and were playing a raucous game of rise and fly bid whist. Montez’s parents looked on, licking their chops as they waited to play the winners.
Her younger brother, Malik, sat near the fire pit in the gaming floor rocker Jet had bought him for Christmas. LED lights lined each side of the chair in a rainbow of colors. Malik wore his sensory headphones as he quietly played a game on his tablet. Jet’s two-year-old boxer, Rocky, lay contentedly beside Malik, his tail occasionally tapping the floor.
Whenever her brother visited, he and Rocky were constant companions. As if Rocky knew that Malik—who was on the autistic spectrum—needed his watchful eye and protection. Jet often joked that he’d been demoted to Rocky’s third favorite human behind her and Malik.
“Those two are about five minutes from passing out.” Jet was suddenly standing beside her. He nodded toward Rocky and Malik.
“They’ve both been good sports, but it’s way past their bedtime.” She turned to Jet. He looked handsome in a black, velvet dinner jacket, a crisp white shirt, and a pair of black pants in an athletic fit. The look highlighted everything she loved about her man’s toned, muscular body. As good as he looked in that suit, she couldn’t wait to see him out of it at the end of the night.
Jet sank his teeth into his lower lip as he scanned the length of her body, draped in a semi-formal, floor-length, belted magenta gown with a high split over her left leg. When his gaze met hers again, it was filled with heat.
“God, you look stunning in that dress. And I love your hair like that.” He indicated her headful of loose curls—dyed a deep auburn with strawberry blonde highlights. “How did I get so fucking lucky?”
Amaya’s cheeks tightened with a wide smile. “I ask myself the same thing every morning I get to wake up with you.”
Jet heaved a quiet sigh as if relieved by her words.
“Is everything okay, babe?” Amaya slipped her hand in his. “You’ve been a bit stressed this evening. I thought the point of hiring a caterer was so we could both relax and truly be present with our family and friends.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. Got a lot on my mind tonight.” He squeezed her hand. “Can we step outside for a minute?”
Amaya’s chest constricted and a knot tightened in her gut. She forced a smile, despite the racing of her pulse. “Of course.”
He slipped a shawl onto Amaya’s shoulders and led her over to the pool. The pool and the backyard design—the project that had reunited her and Jet—was a stunning testament to his vision and artistry as a landscape designer. Work he loved doing, despite his growing demand as a photographer and his upcoming art exhibitions.
Jet took her hands in his and heaved a quiet sigh, as if unsure of what to say.
A dozen scenarios flashed in her brain—each worse than the last. Amaya tried to push each thought aside as quickly as it formed.
“Amaya, the past six months have been…incredible. Reconnecting with you. Renewing our friendship. Finding love. Becoming soulmates.” He smiled, his eyes glistening in the moonlight. “Baby, what we have…I honestly didn’t think…I never imagined that I could have anything like this. Someone like you. You are a remarkable woman. A brilliant executive. A loving daughter. A nurturing sister. An incredible friend. And the most loving, supportive partner I could ever hope for.” Jet inhaled deeply, the corners of his eyes damp. “I thank God every single day for the incredible gift of your love, your partnership, your companionship.”
“Me, too.” She squeezed his hands and nodded, barely able to speak. Tears slid down her cheeks. Amaya’s heart felt full as the man who’d come into her life like a beacon of light and brought her so much joy, pleasure, and genuine happiness poured his heart out to her. It felt surreal to be with a man who loved her so unequivocally. “I’m grateful for every moment we get to spend together. For how completely you love me. I’ve never experienced a love like this. Sometimes, it feels too good to be true. Like I’m living in this Technicolor dream, and one day I’ll wake up and realize none of it was real.”
“Baby, there is nothing more real than my feelings for you.” He swiped tears from her cheek. “I love you so much, Maya. And there is nothing in heaven or on earth that I want more than to spend the rest of my life as your friend, your confidant, your protector, and your lover. So…”
Jet pulled a black velvet box from inside his jacket and dropped to one knee as he opened it “Amaya Walker, will you marry me? Because if you say yes, I promise that I will spend the rest of my days proving just how real my love for you is.”
“I’ve waited eighteen years for this, Jet Thomas. What took you so long?” Amaya laughed through tears of joy as she held out her trembling hand to the boy she’d had a killer crush on in high school. She’d fantasized about this moment; never imagining it might one day come true. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Jet
Jet slid the ring onto Mye’s finger, then rose to his feet. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, both of their cheeks wet with tears as their family and friends hooted and cheered, peering out of the windows of the tent.
He leaned his forehead to hers. “I promised you it’d be worth the wait.”
“I never doubted it.” Mye kissed him again. She held up her finger and studied the ring he’d placed on it. “Wait… How did you know I wanted this ring? I didn’t tell anyone; not even Deena.” She shifted her gaze to him, her eyes wide.
Jet grinned. A couple months back, he’d taken her to a jeweler to pick out something for her birthday. She’d selected the dangling gold and diamond earrings and matching necklace she was wearing now. While she’d been trying on different necklaces, the saleswoman pointed out the ring Amaya had inquired about when he’d stepped out to take an important phone call. She wrote the information down on a business card and slipped it to him “just in case he ever needed it.”
“Can’t tell you all my secrets.” Jet threaded their fingers and squeezed her hand. “Besides, we have a lot of people waiting to congratulate us.”
He’d tell Maya the story someday. But tonight, it would be part of the mystery of their perfect New Year’s Eve.
When they returned to the tent, they were greeted with warm hugs and heartfelt congratulations from the people they loved. It meant the world to him that his best friends—Montez and Drevon—were there for such an important moment.
“It’s good to see you so happy, man.” Montez squeezed his shoulder. “I wish EJ was here to see it.”
“He is.” Dre pointed up. “And I promise you, he’s damn proud of you.”
“Thanks, fellas.” Jet brushed away the wetness from his eyes as he thought of the older brother he’d lost six years ago. He hoped Dre was right about EJ being proud of him.
No one would ever replace EJ. But as Jet glanced over at Malik who happily waved at him, he was grateful he’d get the opportunity to be a big brother to someone as special as Maya’s brother. That he’d been able to make a difference in Malik’s life, even during the short time he and Maya had been together.
Jet glanced over to where Desiree and Antika stood admiring Amaya’s new engagement ring.
The stars had aligned, and he and his closest friends had all fallen in love with extraordinary women. Women who’d turned their lives upside down in the best way possible. The three of them were busy with their careers and relationships. They didn’t get to spend the kind of time together they once had. But in some ways, he felt even closer to his best friends.
“Countdown starts in thirty seconds!” Estella declared, entering the tent with a rolling tray filled with flutes and chilled bottles of champagne and sparkling grape juice.
Jet met Amaya at the center of the tent and took her hand, both of them smiling.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!” they all shouted joyously.
Jet pulled Amaya into his arms and kissed her.
Their first New Year’s Eve together would be a day they’d never forget. But Jet looked forward to all of the wonderful moments that lay ahead for them.