The next morning, Jasper loads my luggage into his car. We stop by my apartment complex to drop off my things along with Truman before going to work. He insists on giving me a ride to work yet again, so I hastily accept. We go our separate ways for the day without so much as a single text to each other.
While at work, my events team works hard to promote Aged Emporium’s fundraiser event. We solidify ticket prices, the graphic designs for announcements, flyers, and ads, and book our favorite local DJ. I haven’t been to a masquerade in years; I only hope it’s as successful as our analysts project it to be. I want Jasper’s family to gain as much business as possible.
After a long shift, I walk home a little later than usual today, making sure to watch every step vigilantly. Black ice will not vest me again this fall, mark my words. I greet Truman as soon as I walk inside and take in my new flooring. I notice a couple of issues, so I submit a request for the team to fix the loose floorboards. I have never been more thankful for a leather couch than this very moment—it’s the only furniture item in my living room that survived the great flood. I’ll admit, I thought I’d feel more relieved to be home. Instead, I feel a sense of emptiness I can’t quite understand. So, I shoot Callie a text to make plans.
Iris
Hey, what are you up to tonight?
Callie
Bitch, it’s Trivia Tuesday at the bar! Wanna come?
I sigh. Do I really want to go to Trivia Tuesday at the bar? No. But alas, I would rather do that than sit here alone in my apartment tonight.
Iris
Yes, actually, I do.
Callie
OMG your first Trivia Tuesday!!! I’ll pick you up in an hour.
I react to her message with a heart and begin to get ready. I turn on some pop music and change into a black long-sleeved square-neck bodysuit and washed-out mom jeans, finishing the look with black heeled boots and a black puffer coat. I let my hair down and curl it loosely, pinning it half-up to accessorize. Callie picks me up, more excited than I’ve seen her in ages.
“Girl, you do not understand how happy I am that you joined me tonight! Trivia starts in about thirty minutes, so we can get drinks and food just before it begins,” she says, pulling into the bar’s parking lot. We walk inside, andwow, it is packed tonight. I brace myself for what could turn out to be a very hectic evening. I peek at my phone and see no new messages await me. I can’t help but wonder what Jasper is up to tonight. As if on cue, I receive a text.
Jasper
What are you up to tonight, Greene?
Embarrassingly, my stomach drops.
Iris
I’m at the bar. You?
Jasper
Same ;)
Jasper ishere?And he just used awinky face? I gaze around the bar, searching for a highly attractive brunette male.
Jasper
Try looking to your left.
Jasper
Oops. Your other left, Greene.
My bad.
I turn to myright, and Jasper is right there, sitting at a high-top wooden table for two with a direct view of the small wooden stage. I hang my coat up on the old-fashioned coat rack, then tell Callie I’ll be back and approach him, breaking out into an embarrassing grin.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to tone down my excitement. I don’t know when it happened—I don’t know how it happened. In a room full of people, Jasper has become my anchor. Imighthave missed his company tonight.
“Same as you. Can’t miss Trivia Tuesday.” He chuckles, ushering me to sit in the empty seat across from him. Jasper is wearing a white button-up with the top two buttons unclasped, sleeves rolled up, and a pair of dark jeans. He seems lighter than usual. I glance down at the table to see three empty glasses.Ah, that explains it.I bite back a laugh.
