“I don’t know…also the night before I fainted, I guess.”
“And when was the last time you smoked?”
I sigh… “When Mazie started coming around, I cut back because I didn’t want to smoke around her or have the smell on my clothes. So I haven’t been smoking very much.”
“Sounds like this little girl did some good in your life,” Jacob says, and I roll my eyes because… Baby Spy. “You and babies will never cease to amaze me,” he jokes, making them both laugh. It’s like they always know how to gang up on me.
I see what Jacob is doing. He’s not that sly. I cock my head. Ugh, maybe he is.
“You know, you could have just left a message instead of making me wait all night.”
“Well. You could’ve just called?”
I scoff. “I’ve learned my lesson about waking you up in the middle of the night. I won’t do that again.”
Now it’s his turn to scoff… “You were in jail for breaking into Mr. Brewer’s property and jumping off his windmill.”
Jacob sighs fondly. “I remember that night. Matthew was convinced Jasper only did it because he was mad at you, so he locked you both in a room until you worked through it.” He laughs. “He said sometimes people need brute force to work through their issues.”
This time, we all laugh.
“Jasper?”
Shit.I close my eyes.
“Hi, Olly. It’s so good to see you again,” Marcus says. “You can finally meet my husband, Jacob.”
“It’s so good to meet you in person finally,” Jacob says, reaching out and shaking his hand.
Olly looks confused. His eyes dart around the table, landing on mine.
He cocks his head. “Are you all… how do you know?” he looks back to Marcus and Jacob, then back to me one last time.
“You know what? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.” Olly nods his head. “Sorry,” he says quietly before backing away and walking out the front door.
“Shit!” I should’ve told him by now. “I have to go.”
I get up to leave, and Marcus places a hand on my arm, getting my attention.
“The heart stuff… you’re already doing it, Jasper. Just keep going. Don’t give up.”
I nod my head, knowing that it’s a euphemism for something more, and race out the front door, almost running into Spencer carrying a Mazie in his arms. “Me and you,” I say, poking Mazie in the stomach, which makes her giggle. “We need to talk, but not now. I have to go chase a man.”
As soon as I’m out the door, I turn left, running right into Olly.Well, there could’ve been more chasing but okay, this is fine too.
We both grab onto each other to steady ourselves.
“Olly…” I just stare like a deer caught in headlights.Niiiice. Good job, Jasper.
“Go on a date with me,” I blurt out of fucking nowhere.
His eyes go wide. “What?”
I grab his hand, lacing my finger through his. “Go on a date with me, Olly,” I say, this time sounding a lot more calm. “Go on a date with me tonight.” I guess I still have some panic left in me. “Look, I will tell you all about my past. It will help explain what you heard.”
“I heard nothing. I mean, it’s not like I was eavesdropping. And you shouldn’t feel guilted into telling me about your past.”
The way he won’t look me in the eye says he heard enough.
