“It’s beautiful here,” she said,“but we should start considering other date spots. The staff is beginning to notice things.”
Jasper huffed a laugh, then leaned in and kissed her—a quick, soft brush of lips, like he was testing the taste of her.
When he pulled back, she still stood with her eyes closed, unsure if she was breathing at all.
Their relationship wasn’t racing forward; neither of them really knew how to navigate any of this. They were both cautious. Both wounded. Both afraid of what their pasts still held over them.
“Sorry,” he murmured.“I just… couldn’t not kiss you.”
She opened her eyes.
“Is it silly if I say I wanted that?”
He shook his head. A warm, shy expression softened his face—Jasper Garth, shy. Who would’ve believed it?
“Then I’m not apologizing.”
He took a sip of the coffee, winced, and smirked.
“Still terrible.”
She turned away so he wouldn’t see her smile. Then, gathering her courage, she asked:
“Jasper… is this real? Everything that’s happening between us?”
He looked at her steadily. Then he reached out and tilted her chin up so she had to meet his eyes.
“It’s real, Nina. You’re my reality. A little chaotic, maybe… but real.”
And he kissed her again, this time slower, deeper, tasting of bad coffee and hope. His hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers brushing her skin. She could hear his breathing—steady, deep, as if he still didn’t quite believe any of this was happening.
“Ah! There you are!”
They both jumped apart like teenagers caught breaking curfew. Nina nearly spilled her coffee. Jasper turned sharply.
“Lynn?..” He blinked.“How did you even? How did you know we were up here?”
Lynn snorted, rolling her eyes as she walked closer.
“Dad, seriously? The whole clinic knows where to find you every night.”
Heat rushed to Nina’s cheeks. Jasper glanced at her, then back at his daughter.
“So you all… knew?” he asked in disbelief.
“Of course,” she said with a shrug.“It’s practically in the schedule. If you’re not in the resident lounge, you’re on the roof. It’s not rocket science.”
Jasper covered his face with one hand.
“Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Lynn giggled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t worry. Everyone’s happy for you two. Well… almost everyone. Mrs. Collins downstairs hasn’t given up on marrying you off to her daughter.”
Jasper and Nina exchanged a look. He smirked; she ducked her head to hide the blush.
He cleared his throat.
