“Well, hopefully, we’ll be seeing you again, Iris, it was lovely meeting you,” she says warmly. I find myself actually believing she has enjoyed our conversation. She strolls out of the kitchen. “We’ll wait in the car for you, Jasper.”
“Sorry about that.” Jasper runs his fingers through his tousled dark hair. He clearly inherited his thick dark hair from his mother. “She can be a lot.”
I smile at him, then turn back around toward the mixing bowl resting on the counter, glancing down at the batter, accepting defeat. “So much for cooking breakfast,” I mutter.
“I will gladly save my appetite for whatever you’re cooking up.” He sneaks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and rocking me. His voice drops to a husky whisper. “You carry yourself so well. Pretty sure my mom was impressed.” I feel my cheeks redden.
“Speaking of your mom, could you go grab my pants now, please?” He releases me, spinning me to face him.
“Only if you promise this won’t be the last time you wander around my house pantsless.” His gray eyes pierce mine. I scoff, rolling my eyes.
“Oh, please, Jasper, I will not promise that.” I laugh, assuming he’s joking.
“I’m serious, Greene. Promise?” Not thinking much of it, I shrug, giving in.
“Ugh, fine, I promise. You should probably get going.” I glance over his shoulder.
“I don’t particularly want to, but I suppose I should.” He sighs, letting me go. He hustles to the couch and throws my pants at me. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll see you later, Jasper.” I watch him walk away. How does he manage to look so good in sweatpants, of all things?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of being able to wait for Jasper to return from breakfast. This morning, my top priority is getting Truman back to my apartment in one piece. After cleaning up, I change into last night’s clothes and return to my apartment, carrying Truman in my arms.
The walk to my apartment is only fifteen minutes long, but the cold air isn’t exactly encouraging. It’s a good thing Truman likes being held, otherwise, this would have been an entirely different experience. I finally arrive at my apartment complex and jog up the stairs. Upon walking into my apartment, everything is as it should be.
I feed Truman breakfast, then hastily begin getting ready for work. First, I shower. This has been the longest week of my year, and it’s only Wednesday. While washing my hair, my mind drifts back to what his mom said. Knowing she has caught him in worse settings with girls piques my curiosity. Jasper seems more experienced than I am. As I run my fingers through my hair, my mind wanders, and I imagine him rakinghisfingers through my hair, pulling me closer to him—
Iris. Get a grip. I abruptly finish showering, then jump out, wrapping myself in a fuzzy beige towel. I check my phone to see a couple of new messages.
Jasper
Where did you go?
Jasper
You okay, Greene?
I fight a smile. It’s been a while since someone checked in on me like this—I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t feel good. I still cannot believe wekissedlast night. At his home. On the couch. In front of a freshly lit fireplace. The producers over at Hallmark would be proud.
I can’t remember the last time a kiss took my breath away like last night. I lightly stroke my lips, feeling my cheeks grow warmer as I relive our unexpectedly magical evening together. He obviously knows what he’s doing, though—who knows if our night meant as much for him as it did for me.
Iris
Rest assured, I managed to walk home without any trouble. Shocking, I know.
After responding, I change into a mauve flowy silk button-up and leggings, completing the look with booties and my oversized black puffer coat. I check the time, determining I won’t be able to stop at Little Falls today.Oh, well.I put my hair up in a high ponytail, adding a ribbon. I find myself putting a tad more effort in than usual, so I conclude that today will be a good one. Before I step outside, I kiss Truman’s little forehead. “Don’t scare me like that ever again, okay?”
Truman closes his eyes and pushes his face into my hand in response. I slip my AirPods in, then land at the bottom of the staircase, rushing to Soi, when a body blocks my path.
“Jasper?” I gawk. “What are you doing here?” He rolls his eyes in response as if the answer is obvious, to which I raise my brows.
“I told you I’d give you a ride to work,” he affirms, leading me to his black car. He opens the passenger door for me, and I begin to protest, but he pushes his index finger against my lips in response, shushing me before I can continue.
The audacity of this man.
“Before you reject my offer, may I suggest you take a look inside the vehicle?” He inclines his head toward the interior. My eyes follow the direction of his gesture and land on the most beautiful sight I could imagine. A Little Falls cup of coffee sits in the front cupholder. Unable to hide my excitement, I jump into the front seat in record time. Yeah, I guess I’ve missed being a passenger princess. Before shutting the car door, pride gleams in his eyes. I buckle in and take a sip of the pumpkin spice latte, savoring its delightful taste on my tongue.
“You outdid yourself, Jasper. Last night, you were an angel.” I raise my cup to his face. “But right now? Right now, you’re practically a God.”
