I close the small distance between us and wrap my arms around him. “I’m definitely a hugger, but I knowyou’renot.”
It takes a moment for the tension to ease from his body. When it does, his arms tighten around me, hands settling firmly on my lower back. “I’m not usually. Bellevue seems to be full of huggers, though, so I’m trying to adjust.”
“If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em?”
“Something like that.” He chuckles as he pulls away, his warm breath brushing my ear and making me shiver. “You should get inside before you get too much of a chill.”
I’m not worried about getting too chilled; I’m worried about falling for Jasper right here in the parking lot of my apartment building. He insists on walking me to the front door of the building, where we say good night.
“Hey Jasper,” I call as he walks away. He pauses and turns back to face me. “If you need anything before Tuesday or if you want to chat, I’m only a text away.”
He inclines his head toward me in thanks, a small smile flirting around his lips. “And I’m only a phone call away. See you Tuesday, Willow.”
I’m relieved not to run into anyone in the hallways or stairwell on the way to my apartment because I can’t stop grinning. Every time I’ve seen Jasper, I’ve been introduced to a new side of him. I think I liked tonight’s Jasper best, and I’m curious to see which Jasper I’ll get on Tuesday when we go to Nansom Farms together.
Back in my apartment, the first thing I do is check my phone and reply to a text from Cami telling me she’s successfully closed Cravings and will see me tomorrow. Seems like tonight has been a win all around.
After donning my snugglyMandalorianpajamas, I pick up where I left off with my work plans. I agree with everything Marisol said earlier and, while Iwillattempt to loosen the reins of control somewhat, talking to Jasper has made me realize how lucky I am to have my dream job. Cravings’ success is important to me, and I know going the extra mile now will contribute to its success in the long run.
When my phone rings half an hour later, I immediately think of Jasper telling me he’s only a phone call away. I grab for the phone, hoping it’s him and feeling a tiny bit of disappointment—and guilt for that disappointment—when Gwen’s name flashes across the screen.
“So, phone calls are a thing for us now?” I ask.
“Do you ever just say ‘hello’ when you answer the phone?” Gwen counters.
“Hello, Gwendolyn, I love you, why are you calling me?”
She laughs. “I love you too. Why didn’t you tell me you’re going to be alone for Thanksgiving?”
I slump back against the couch cushions. “Wow, Jasper didn’t waste any time, did he?”
“In his defense, it sort of slipped out when I asked how your evening was. If it makes you feel any better, he lookedreallyguilty afterward and said he was, and I quote, ‘dismayed to have broken your trust by revealing something you’d asked him not to’.”
Oh, Jasper. I let out a sigh, then ask, “How was your date? Where did Evan take you?”
“Nice try, Willow,” Gwen says in her best no-nonsense voice. “The three of us got talking and came up with a plan. Malcolm and Sherée have invited Evan and me to stay with them, and we’ve accepted. Hadley is going to be away, which means her room at Jasper’s is free, so you’ll come with us to Toronto and have Thanksgiving with the Perrys.”
I sputter out a laugh. “Umm, no? This is going to be your first Thanksgiving as part of the Perry family. I’m perfectly fine being on my own.”
“Butyou’repart ofmyfamily, so that point is moot.”
Despite being amused by her words, emotion clogs my throat at the sentiment.
“Come on, it’ll be fun!” she says before I can formulate a response. “Jasper says he’d be happy to have you as a guest for the weekend. Oh, and you’ll get to meet Elizabeth! When’s the last time you had baby snuggles?”
“That’s not fair, you know I’m a sucker for baby snuggles.” I sigh again. Jasper’s earlier words about belonging come to mind. Maybe my being there would be helpful. I could give him gentle nudges to open up and share more with his siblings. And if I’m being honest, the thought of staying with him—seeing where he lives,howhe lives, having him cook for me—is pretty damn appealing. It’s also slightly terrifying because I think I’m already starting to fall for him, and this might be the push I’m not sure I need or want.
“You’re coming to Thanksgiving,” Gwen says matter-of-factly.
“Okay. I’ll come to Thanksgiving.”
Gwen’s “Yay!” is so loud I have to jerk the phone away from my ear. When I return it, there’s a rustle as if she’s moving around, and I picture her doing a little happy dance. After a minute, she says, “I normally hate talking on the phone almost as much as you do, but it’s actually not so bad.”
I smile as it occurs to me I’ve talked on the phone more today than I have in months. I think I have Jasper to blame—or thank—for that. “Yeah, it’s not so bad. We should do it more often.”
