Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
“You ready, Kai?” I called out as I finished cleaning up the dishes.
“Ready for what?” he asked.
“To go to Jasper’s.”
“Really?” he practically squealed down the hall from his bedroom. “We get to see Jasper? Are we going to play video games? Will we get to swim in his pool or ride in his helicopter?”
“He has some artwork arriving, and I need to be there to help the delivery team install it.”
“Can Jasper and I go for a ride in his helicopter while you do that?”
I tried not to laugh. “Probably not. But maybe he’ll let you play video games.”
“Okay.”
“Is your bed made?” I asked. “We need to finish bedtime chores before we go to Jasper’s since I’m not sure how late it will be when we get back.”
“Does that mean I get to stay up past my bedtime? Can I stay up until midnight?” He was practically buzzing.
“I don’t know. And no.” I laughed. “Is your bed made?” I asked again.
Since we were working on establishing routines, we had a rule that it had to be made before bedtime.
I didn’t care if he made it in the morning before pre-K or as part of his evening chores.
I just wanted him to practice making his bed every day.
Eventually, I’d work on making it a morning chore.
But for now, I was happy if it was done.
“No,” he said, followed by giggles. “Will you come help me?”
“Kai, bud, we talked about this. In the evening, you’re responsible for your bed, putting away your clean laundry, and one ‘notice and do.’”
“I know. I just…” Was he grunting? “Can you come here for a sec?”
“Sure.” I set down my purse and headed back down the hall to his room. “What’s up?”
He stood in front of his bed, beaming. The quilt was pulled up, the pillows were fluffed and in the right places. And he looked so cute and proud.
“Tricked you!” He grinned.
“You sure did.” I smiled and ruffled his copper curls, so like my own, completely okay with this turn of events. “Good job.”
“Thanks, Mummy. I used Jasper’s tricks.”
I wondered what else I could get Jasper to “trick” Kai into doing. Eating more vegetables? Brushing his teeth for the whole two minutes without being asked?
“Ready?” Kai asked, placing his hand in mine.
“Yep,” I exhaled.
I couldn’t wait to see the new art in Jasper’s penthouse. I was both anxious and excited for him to see my selections. I’d put a lot of effort into choosing art that spoke to me for him, and I hoped he’d love them.
We rode the private elevator up to Jasper’s floor. I stared at my reflection in the mirrored doors. I’d changed out of my work clothes and into a pair of linen shorts, a matching tank with a square neckline, and slide-on sandals. Nothing too fancy. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard.
Right. So that’s why you refreshed your hair and makeup?
I rolled my eyes at myself in the mirror. My makeup was minimal, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that I’d gone to any additional effort with my appearance because I knew I’d be spending time with Jasper.
It annoyed me that I didn’t just say yes to going out with Dimitri when he’d asked. It annoyed me that I couldn’t look at another man without comparing him to Jasper. It annoyed me that…
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. I took a deep, steadying breath. Get it together.
I was tired, that was all. It had been a busy week, and I’d spent more nights than I cared to admit thinking about Jasper and whether I should accept the temporary promotion.
I’d be crazy not to; Zara had said as much. And I’d told myself that I’d never let a man dictate my choices, but Jasper was definitely a big factor in my decision. There was a difference between working in the same office as him and working closely with him.
We’d gotten along fine when we’d gone art shopping, which was reassuring. Well, at least when he hadn’t been openly hostile toward Dimitri. When Jasper hadn’t cornered me and admitted he was jealous.
Apart from that, it had gone well. When Jasper and I were alone, things had been cordial, friendly even. But that was one interaction on one day. Not months of conversations and decisions and…
My phone buzzed; I had a new text message from Alexis. She’d been sending me questions about houses, but we’d also talked about her favorite places around LA and the challenges of being a working mom. It was nice, and it felt like I’d made my first new friend in LA.
Kai skipped down the hall to Jasper’s door.
“Kai,” I whispered.
“Hm?” he asked, turning back.
“What kind of behavior are you going to be on today at Jasper’s?”
He straightened. “Best behavior.”
“That’s right,” I said. “So that means no hands on the windows. No jumping on the couch. Got it?”
“Got it.” He gave me two thumbs up and the biggest smile. But then he winced, his hands flying to his stomach as he curved inward on himself.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I crouched to his level.
“My tummy hurts.” He groaned, clutching at his abdomen.
His stomach did look bloated, but I couldn’t understand why. We’d eaten the same thing we’d had a million times. And he had no reason—at least none that I could tell—to be anxious.
“Do you want to go back home?” I didn’t want Kai to be uncomfortable. And while I was excited about the art, we could always reschedule.
Kai shook his head, fervent in his refusal. “No. Please. I want to see Jasper.”
I wondered how much of Kai’s enthusiasm for spending time with Jasper had to do with missing his dad. Or if he really liked Jasper that much. They’d definitely connected, even in the short time we’d been in LA.
“You’re sure?”
He nodded. “Please, Mum.”
I straightened. “Okay.” After a moment’s hesitation, I rang Jasper’s doorbell.
It didn’t take long for him to answer. He swung open the door. “Welcome! Welcome. Come on in.”
He looked casual and effortless in a pair of white chino shorts and a short-sleeved Henley in this sumptuous oatmeal color. The material clung to his chest, beckoning me to touch him.
He was hot in a suit, but this look might be my favorite. Casual. At ease. Feet bare and posture relaxed.
“Hi.” His eyes finally met mine after a leisurely perusal that heated my skin. “Can I get you anything to drink? Water? Wine?”
Wine sounded good, even if I knew it was a bad idea.
“I’m good. Thanks.”
“What about you, Kai?” Jasper gave him a high five. “Want anything to drink or eat?”
“No thanks. Can we do those magic tricks now?” Kai practically bounced on his toes.
I studied him, searching for any signs of stomach troubles.
Did he already feel that much better, or had he forgotten?
It was a relief that it wasn’t bothering him—regardless of the reason.
But he complained about his stomach often enough that I was worried, even if no one else took my concerns seriously.
Jasper chuckled. “In a little bit. I actually need your help with something while we wait for my new art to arrive.” Jasper placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder. He was so warm and affectionate, so unlike Craig.
God. Stop comparing them.
“What is it?” Kai asked.
“Actually, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Jasper turned to me, and I wondered what he was up to. “She’s through here.”
She? Why did the idea of another woman in Jasper’s home irk me so much?
Sloan hadn’t mentioned that her brother was dating anyone. But that didn’t mean Jasper wasn’t involved with someone. Last summer, we’d snuck around for weeks without anyone knowing. Was he doing that now but with someone else?
My stomach clenched—both at the idea that he was seeing someone else and the thought that maybe what we’d had wasn’t that special to him.
It was supposed to be a fling. Casual. Carefree. Easy.
The opposite of my current feelings. This was why it had been a mistake to get involved with anyone, let alone…him.
But he made it difficult to resist. Jasper was charismatic, detail-oriented, and fun. God, I’d had so much fun with him. Last summer, our fling, was the first time in years I’d felt like myself. I’d felt as if I could breathe again.
He’d made me laugh. He made everything feel so…easy. When I’d been drowning, he felt like a lifeline.
As Kai and I followed Jasper into his bathroom, the sound of sniffing and panting threw me. And then I spied a little gated area with towels on the floor. A cute little dog jumped up and barked, and Kai froze.
“Oh. My. Gosh,” he whispered. “Oh. My…” He turned to me, his eyes bulging. “Mum!”
“I know.” I laughed, that bubble of anxiety that had been building inside me popping.
“How cute are you?” Kai squealed.
And she was adorable. A small wire-haired Dachshund with a brown-and-black coat. Her ears had curly fur, and she was so expressive.
“Is she yours?” Kai asked Jasper.
“Yep.” Jasper beamed. “A rescue pup.”
I narrowed my eyes at Jasper. What was he playing at?
But Jasper’s attention was on Kai, a warm smile on his face. “Here,” he said, stepping forward. “Let me open the gate, and you can play with her.”
“Really?” Kai looked between us as if he couldn’t quite believe his luck. “Can I, Mum?”
“If it’s okay with Jasper, sure.”
“You’d be doing me a big favor,” Jasper said. “She’s been whining all night because she’s lonely, and I wouldn’t let her sleep on the bed. I’m fu—” He stopped himself. “I’m exhausted.”
I patted Jasper on the shoulder. “Welcome to parenthood.”
His expression changed, and the shift was so subtle I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t been watching him so closely.
“Ack!” Kai shouted. “She slobbered on my face. Yuck!”
“Where are your washcloths?” I asked, opening a few drawers. Razor blades neatly in a row. Bars of soap with the Huxley Grand logo. And…oop! Condoms. I slammed the drawer shut. Damn. That was a lot of condoms. All labeled with the Huxley Grand logo.
“Here you go.” Jasper handed me a washcloth, and I prayed that he hadn’t seen me open that drawer.
I held the washcloth under the sink and then wrung it out before handing it to Kai. “Here you go.”