“Sorry,” I say faintly, taking in the very un-Jasper-like mess. “I wanted to put the desserts in the fridge. What can we do to help?”
Jasper plants his hands on his hips and looks around. Before he can say anything, Gwen says, “Jasper doesn’t like to relinquish control of the kitchen. I basically forced him to let me help last Christmas, and it’s been a continued struggle ever since.” She grins at Jasper when he shoots her an exasperated look. “Why are you cooking already when dinner isn’t until tomorrow?”
“I wanted to do as much prep as possible today so I wouldn’t have to spend the entire day tomorrow in the kitchen and could enjoy everyone’s company.” He’s nearly breathless again by the time he gets the words out. He opens his mouth to say something else and is interrupted by a knock on the front door. “Oh, thank god, that’ll be the super here to fix the heat.” He shoots us another rueful look as he dashes past. A muttered curse reaches my ears and then, “The door’s unlocked, can you open it from your end? Oh, it’s you.”
“Hello to you too, big brother,” comes Evan’s voice. Gwen and I peek out the kitchen door to see him fanning a hand in front of his face as he steps into the apartment. “Why is it like a sauna in here?”
“I decided on a tropical theme for Thanksgiving since none of us has had a vacation this year,” Jasper says, turning on his heel and marching back toward the kitchen.
Gwen and I scramble out of the way, heading for a bewildered-looking Evan. “You know Jasper is truly unraveling when he breaks out the sarcasm,” Gwen whispers to me. To Evan, she says, “Something happened to the heater and he’s not sure if or when the super can come to fix it.”
“Oh.” Evan kicks off his shoes and removes his jacket. When Gwen takes it from him to hang it up, he kisses her cheek and moves past her toward the kitchen. “Hey, Jasper, I can take a look at the heater if you want. I fixed the one in our apartment last winter when it went on the fritz.”
Gwen turns to me, her eyes bright with humor. “Tour?”
I shouldn’t be surprised Jasper’s apartment is like something out of a magazine spread. With the current exception of the kitchen, everything is spotless. I can practically see my reflection in the gleaming hardwood floor. The matching couch and armchairs in the living room are fancy and yet manage to look comfortable and inviting. Furniture like that usually makes me want to run in the opposite direction out of fear I’ll spill something on it. A large bookcase takes up the wall between two huge windows, and features neatly organized books and framed family photos.
I follow Gwen down a short hall, where she points out the bathroom, a closed door she says is Jasper’s bedroom, and then Hadley’s room at the end of the hall.
“And that completes the tour,” Gwen says with a sweeping bow. “You good here? I’m going to go check on the boys, make sure Jasper hasn’t spontaneously combusted and Evan hasn’t broken anything.”
I assure her I’m fine and tell her I’ll be out in a few minutes. When she leaves, I stand in the middle of Hadley’s room and do a visual sweep. I expected the youngest Perry’s bedroom to reflect her personality. I was picturing lots of color and clutter, souvenirs from her travels, and maybe fandom stuff like I have. But the room looks like the spare bedroom it was before she moved in: nicely decorated with a quilt-covered double bed, end tables, and a dresser. A peek in the closet shows a few items of clothing on hangers, with the rest of the space taken up by stacks of labeled boxes. I guess Hadley hasn’t got around to unpacking, which is strange since she’s been living with Jasper for months now.
“Quit being nosy,” I murmur to myself, closing the closet door. I unpack my few belongings and make a stop in the bathroom before going to join the others.
I’ve nearly reached the kitchen when I hear Jasper saying, “I just want everything to be perfect.”
“You know no one expects or even cares about perfection,” Gwen says. “What is this really about?”
I pause near the kitchen door. I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but the fact Jasper has gone silent makes me curious. My sudden appearance would make it too easy for him to change the subject, and I want to know what has him so discombobulated.
“Youdoknow there’s only seven of us, right?” Gwen says. “Eight if you count Miss Lizzy, but she’ll have to wait until next year to enjoy Uncle Jasper’s cooking.”
I’ve heard this particular tone from Gwen many times over the years. Gentle, with a hint of coaxing. It’s what makes her so easy to open up to, and what’s always made me think she missed her calling as a therapist.
Jasper must agree because after another beat of silence, he says, “Despite knowing nobody expects perfection,Iwant everything to be perfect. It’s our first Thanksgiving together in years, and your first with us. And Willow’s first with us.”
My ears perk up at the mention of my name.
“I was going over the menu late last night and suddenly remembered Willow is a vegetarian,” Jasper continues. “At least I believe she is. She’s never eaten meat in my presence and we’ve dined together a few times now.”
“Wow, look at you, Mr. Observant,” Gwen says.
“So I’m right.” It’s a statement rather than a question. Gwen must give some indication of agreement because he says, “I realized most of the dishes revolve around the turkey. The stuffing is made with sausage and turkey broth, plus many of the vegetables are cooked with the turkey. Even if I cooked the vegetables separately, I couldn’t expect her to eat only that and maybe another side or two, so I had to expand the menu. Which meant a frantic online search late last night for dishes that tie in with Thanksgiving, and then a shopping trip early this morning.”
“Is any of it vegan?” Gwen asks.
There’s a long pause. I can’t see them, but I can practically feel the weight of the silence. After a moment, Jasper lets out a strangled laugh. “Gwendolyn Dunwitch, are youtryingto push me over the edge?”
Gwen’s devilish laugh has me covering my mouth to hold in a chuckle of my own. I chance a glance around the corner to see Jasper shaking his head, his expression a mixture of fond indulgence and resignation. The kind of look I imagine a brother would give his sister when she’s being a brat. That, paired with what I just overheard, melts my heart.
I can’t believe Jasper went to all that trouble for me. I would have eaten what I could without ever saying a word; I’ve had to do it countless times at dinner parties and get-togethers. And yet Jasper went out of his way to include me so I wouldn’t have to eat bits and pieces of meatless side dishes. He’s making it harder and harder not to fall head over heels in love with him.
Evan appears from around the corner, and I nearly jump out of my skin. He grins when he realizes I’ve been listening in on Gwen and Jasper’s conversation.
“Busted,” I whisper.
“You’re as bad as Gwen,” he whispers back, poking my arm. “But your secret’s safe with me. And for what it’s worth…” He leans away from me to peer around the corner, likely ensuring Gwen and Jasper are still in the kitchen. “I think you and Jasper would be really good together. He needs someone like you. Someone who sees the real him and likes him just how he is without wanting to change him.”
