Chapter 16
Jason
As I watch Gemma move on the dance floor with unrestrained energy, the thumping beat pulling her body into effortless sharp, quick bursts of seductive movements, one thought echoes through my mind—I need to break things off with her.
And what better timing than New Year’s Eve, right?
It will be a fresh beginning for both of us, like starting with a clean slate.
She can finally chase the freedom she’s been hinting at for weeks, and I can focus on my growing business and spending more time with Jake, especially with him starting school soon.
Don’t get me wrong, it was fun while it lasted, even satisfying the itch I’d had since Mila started working for me. But the thrill and excitement that was once there at the beginning has now worn off, and we’ve reached the point where we both want different things.
Perhaps I’m just not built for casual encounters after all. In fact, I’ve been in more serious relationships than flings because casual sex always felt hollow—meaningless. At the end of the day, I’m still coming home to an empty bed, feeling more alone than ever.
I’ve realised with absolute clarity that it’s not what I want—not when I have a little boy to think about.
The last thing I need is for Jake to see a revolving door of women, coming and going as they please.
Just thinking about it makes me want to ditch this place and kidnap my son from Elena’s house and spend New Year’s Eve with him instead.
I knew the end was near for Gemma and me when our dates started to feel stagnant—dull, predictable, and stripped of the spark we once had. And the funny thing is, I’m certain she’s noticed it too.
Lately, she’s become more distracted; always glued to her phone or her gaze would wander to other men in the room.
What’s even stranger is that it doesn’t bother me one bit.
And I hate to admit it, I’ve been a little distracted too.
I can’t stop thinking about Mila who lingers in my mind day and night, like an inescapable presence.
And it’s only gotten worse since she started dating that smug little fuckface boyfriend of hers.
Just last week, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a photo she posted of herself on a yacht with Dean—no doubt handed to him by his parents.
Both of them were glowing with fresh tans and beaming smiles, and the sight instantly made my stomach churn.
When I read the caption, ‘Date night with the most amazing man,’ I wanted to fling my phone straight into the pool.
Seeing Mila utterly enamoured with someone else hurt far more than any of Elena’s betrayals. I couldn’t ignore it anymore—I was developing feelings for my son’s babysitter. And in that moment, I knew I had to end things with Gemma.
I miss the feeling of being in love—having someone to share everything with, to create and build a life together. It’s been over two years since my last serious relationship, and even though it ended in a way I never could have imagined, I still yearn for that deep, genuine connection with a woman.
Even as I’m sitting in a crowded rooftop bar with Chris beside me, sipping our drinks and watching our dates practically dry-humping each other on the dance floor, the craving for that connection hits me harder than ever.
Maybe it’s the way couples flock to embrace the new year with a kiss, or maybe it’s because this marks another New Year’s where I find myself, once again, feeling empty and alone. Whatever the reason might be, I’m sick and tired of the loneliness.
“Why the long face, man?” Chris asks, snapping me out of my gloomy thoughts.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve had that mopey look all evening, and it’s kind of depressing. What’s going on with you?”
I shake my head dismissively. “Nothing. I’m just taking in the stunning view.” I tilt my beer towards the breathtaking sight of the Harbour Bridge to emphasise my point.
Chris shoots me a sceptical look. “Come on, what’s really going on?”
I release a deep, heavy sigh. “If I tell you, are you gonna shut up?”
“Depends on what you’re about to say.” He smirks.
“You’re a dick!”
“Yes, I have one of those.” He lets out a small chuckle when I narrow my eyes at him.
“Okay, fine. I’ll drop it once you tell me what’s on your mind.”
I let out another sharp breath. “I’m thinking of ending it with Gemma. Well, the whole casual arrangement thing we have going on.”
“You sure you want to do that? She’s like a solid ten.”
“Then you date her.” I bump his arm with my shoulder, almost making him spill his drink. “I’m just not really into the whole casual thing, man. I want something more, something deeper.”
Chris stares at me, as if he’s trying to figure something out. Then after a brief pause he asks, “There’s another woman, isn’t there?”
I stay quiet, and he seems to take my silence as confirmation.
“Holy shit! I’m right, aren’t I? There is someone else.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” I casually shrug my shoulders. “She’s dating some other guy.”
“Who is she?”
Realising this is the first time I’m admitting how I feel about her, I pause for a heartbeat before finally saying, “It’s Mila.”
Chris’ eyebrows shoot up, his expression a combination of surprise and amusement.
“The babysitter?”
I nod before taking a long sip of my beer.
“Fuck man!” He shakes his head, chuckling. “I thought she was off-limits. Isn’t she like, what—fifteen years younger than you?”
“Eleven,” I correct him.
“Tomato, potato.”
I frown at him. “That’s not how you say it.”
“Don’t change the subject! Now, tell daddy, when did all of this start?”
I blow out a hard breath. “About several weeks ago—when Mila and I started this game where we’d ask one another twenty-one questions to get to know each other better.
And I guess the more time I spent with her, the stronger the connection felt.
She’s not just smart and beautiful—she’s surprisingly wise for her age. And she’s just incredible with Jake.”
Chris puffs out a sharp exhale. “Fuck, bro. It sounds like you got it bad for her. Have you told her how you feel?”
I shake my head. “She’s seeing someone now, so there’s no point.”
“How long has she been dating the guy?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I take another sip of my beer. “I’m not sure, maybe a month or so. I’ve met him, and though he seems like a gentleman, there’s just something about him I don’t trust.”
“Like?”
“He seems a little clingy. A little too possessive.”
“Or maybe he just really likes her. How do you feel when you see them together?”
Chris asks.
Let’s see—how do I feel when I see Dean’s arms wrapped around Mila’s shoulders or any other part of her body for that matter?
How do I feel when she looks at him like he really is the most amazing man in the world?
If I had to describe it, it’s like a sharp, gut-wrenching blow to the stomach.
In other words—it’s fucking agonising. I feel frustrated, jealous, confused, but above all, I’m disappointed that she’ll never know how I really feel about her.
I’ve missed my chance, it’s too late now, and I only have myself to blame.
Rather than explaining all of this to Chris, I offer him a different truth instead.
“How I feel is irrelevant as long as Mila is happy. If she’s been treated with respect and is taken good care of, then that’s all that matters to me.”
Chris places a hand on my shoulder, his expression one of silent assurance. “You’re a good man, you know that? There aren’t many guys like you left these days.”
Before I can respond, Gemma and Chris’ date, Krista, join us again at the table.
“What did we miss?” Gemma asks as she takes a swig of her rum and coke.
Chris glances at me without uttering a word, and I already know what he’s thinking—I should just get this over with.
“Hey, Gem, is it okay if we go somewhere to talk?”
She frowns, a hint of worry crossing her beautiful face, but she nods in agreement.
We both stand, letting the others know that we’ll only be a moment, before making our way towards the exit stairs where it’s quieter and more private.
“What’s up?” Gemma says as soon as we’re standing face to face.
I nervously rub the back of my neck, unsure of how to begin.
Sensing my discomfort, Gemma gently places a gentle hand on my forearm. “Hey, whatever you’re about to tell me, I promise I won’t get upset.”
Releasing a heavy sigh, I gaze into her deep blue eyes. “Do you still want to continue this thing between us? Or do you want the freedom to explore what else is out there?”
Gemma frowns, clearly caught off guard by my questioning. After a long pause, she lowers her gaze to the ground, as if afraid to speak the truth. “Would you be upset if I told you I want to see what’s out there… maybe meet other people?”
I take a step closer, my fingers tilting her chin up until our eyes connect once more.
“Gem, from the beginning, you’ve been crystal clear that what we have is only temporary.
You never promised me more and I was on board with that.
So the answer to your question is no, babe, I’m not upset.
” I smile softly at her. “You’re young, beautiful, and full of life.
You deserve to enjoy it. I’d never pressure you into anything you don’t want anymore. ”
“You’re a good man, you know that, Jason?”
A soft chuckle slips from my mouth as I grin. “So I’ve been told.”
We hear the crowd counting down from ten, signalling that the New Year’s fireworks are only moments away. Seconds later, a burst of loud explosive sounds fill the air around us.
“Well, Jason, how about for old time’s sake? Want to ring in the new year with one last kiss?” Gemma teases.
A low laugh rumbles out of me as I shake my head, then I close the distance and claim her lips with mine.
The kiss deepens, more intense and heated than anything we’ve ever shared.
It’s not a final goodbye, as we’ll still see each other at work, but in that moment, it truly feels like the end of the chapter of our brief, beautiful, summer romance.