“Let’s say she has someone else staying with her this week, and she lives in a studio apartment, so the three of us may be getting a little too cozy,” I say, scanning his unreadable face.
“I suppose I’d offer you to stay at my place for a bit longer.” His gray eyes dance as he leans over the counter. “Free of charge.”
I contemplate his offer. Usually, it takes time for me to feel comfortable staying over at a guy’s place. But this is different—it’s not like we’re dating or hooking up, even. He’s trying to be a good friend. I haven’t had a male friend in so long. I guess I’ve just forgotten what it feels like.
“Perhaps I would accept that offer—hypothetically speaking, of course.” I bite my lip, then break eye contact, glancing at my phone. “Okay, so you’re 100 percent fine with me crashing here a little longer?”
“Sure, just make sure to put the toilet seat down, roomie,” he jokes, striding out of the kitchen.
Iris
No worries, Jasper just said I could extend my stay here, so I’m covered for the next few days.
Callie
Okay! Jasper is the vampire from last night, right? He’s hot as hellllll. Is he single? ;)
Well, isn’t that the question of the hour? For his potential partner’s sake, I hope he’s single. I would be furious to find out my boyfriend offered a random colleague a place to stay without running it by me. Wait… maybe he did run it by his partner. Oh, maybe he isn't single.
My feet begin wandering before I can stop them. I inspect the living room area, searching for pictures of him with his partner. After taking a closer look at the framed photos in the entertainment center, I determine his partner isn’t showcased out here. I see one more framed picture on the side table I decide to tune in on. I lean over the couch, grab the frame, and lift it up to my eyes to see Jasper with… his parents. At least, I think they’re his parents. He has his dad’s eyes and mom’s smile. He can’t be older than 12 years old in this picture, and he’s grinning from ear to ear. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile that wide since meeting him. I marvel at how smitten his family looks. I crave that feeling so much that my desire to experience it with Kai again burns a hole right through the center of my heart.
“That was my eleventh birthday,” his gravelly voice startles me. “My parents surprised me with a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge and I was so excited, I couldn’t handle it. I’ve always loved swimming.”How fitting,I ponder,considering sometimes, deep inside, I feel like I’m drowning.
“Have you ever been?” His question interrupts my thoughts.
“No, I haven’t—we didn’t go on fun family vacations growing up. We tagged along on some of my dad’s business trips, but those didn’t really feel like vacations, considering he was tied up the whole time.”
“Oh, didn’t realize he was intothatkind of business,” he drawls from right next to me. I lightly punch his shoulder.
“Jasper! Stop it.” Rolling my eyes, I fight back a grin.
“I’m sorry you didn’t really get to spend quality time with your parents away from home,” he murmurs.
“It’s okay. I wasn’t ever really alone,” I say plainly. Jasper doesn’t pry.
“Well, what is on your planner for today, Ms. Greene?” He plops himself down on the couch. I set the picture down and join him, our legs nearly touching.
“Mr. Alcott, my planner is off-duty on weekends. She deserves a break, too. I work her to death.” He responds with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Then I say, we go to Little Falls to overcome your trauma from this morning’s coffee,” he offers.
“Say no more, I’m in.”
“Before we go, do you mind if I ask what you were looking for out here before you noticed me?” Jasper smirks.Of course, he caught me snooping around like a maniac.
“I just wanted to look at all your fun decor.” I glance around at the near empty living room walls and shrug. “There wasn’t much to see.”
“I don’t know.” He inches closer to my face. I lean away slightly. “You looked like you were on a mission,” he murmurs. Suddenly, I’m sweating.He knows.
“Callie asked if you were single, so I was checking to see if I could find any pictures of you and your significant other before responding,” I blurt out and immediately grimace, resorting to fidgeting with the bottom of my T-shirt.
He bursts into laughter. “I don’t know what’s funnier. You snooping around my living room to find pictures of my girlfriend and me.” I must be bright red right now. I feel it. “Oryou thinking I would print pictures of us and frame them in the first place? I’m not sentimental enough to do that.”
“What? Oh, like it’ssoridiculous for two people in a committed relationship to decorate their home with pictures of themselves?” My face burns. I'm not remotely surprised he isn't very sentimental.
“You know, it’s kind of cute when you’re flustered, Greene.”
Greene.That’s a new one. I think I like it.
