Chapter Eleven
Now
Avery
The moment I saw Jasper, my heart sank. All those unresolved emotions I’ve kept repressed for years shot back to the surface.
It was overwhelming and impossible for me to keep a level head during our exchange.
I’m not surprised he gave me a hard time about the divorce—that’s what Jasper does. I figured I’d need to stay the weekend.
Despite the low buzz of nervous energy, I did sleep well. There’s something calming about returning here and sleeping to the sound of crashing waves outside my window. It’s what I’d imagine someone going back to their childhood home would be like—the emotions of the good times—and the bad.
I had groceries delivered yesterday, but I’m restless and need to leave the house. I can’t sit around. I need to do something.
As I got up, showered, and dressed, I fought the urge to call Jasper.
For more reasons than one, I did not need to initiate contact.
Last night, when he called, I played it off as if I was frustrated, but the truth is, it was nice to hear his voice again.
The smooth, comforting tone brought me hurdling back to those warm summer nights lying under our favorite tree in the sand.
Determined to find a restaurant without connection to me or my past here in Coconut Grove, I scoured through Google and luckily found one just down the street.
I throw on some workout clothes and hop into the car.
It only takes me a few minutes to arrive at the quaint little cafe.
It’s a small white structure with a traditional thatching roof and outside seating.
People are scattered around the entrance, waiting for tables.
A familiar breeze whips past me as I pull on the double doors. I should have called ahead.
“Hello, welcome to the Coffee Hut and Cafe.”
“Can I—” I see a guy in my peripheral. Before I get a double take, he pushes open the swing doors and disappears into the back kitchen. I shrug it off. It’s probably just a coincidence. “My apologies. Can I place a to-go order?”
“Avery?” I hear my name said from behind me.
Oh no. I only lived here for a few months, years ago. I’d hoped I wouldn’t run into anyone I knew.
I slowly turned around to see that it was someone I knew who darted into the kitchen just a second earlier. One of Jasper’s best friends. “Easton?”
He jumps over to the low counter at the coffee bar, and before I realize it, I’m pulled into a full-body hug. A little stiff and unsure, I lightly pat his back with a friendly greeting.
“How the hell are you?” He pulls back, moving me to arm’s length away.
I smile but am uncomfortable and don’t know how to act. The last time I saw Easton, he came to my aunt’s house to talk to me before I left for Arizona. “I’m doing well. How are you?”
“Great! This is my cafe.” He gestures around him at the packed tables. “Can I get you anything? It’s on the house.”
I run a nervous hand through my windblown hair. “That’s very kind of you, but it’s unnecessary.”
He leads me to a spot at the end of the coffee bar. “I insist. Please.”
Easton was my favorite of Jasper’s friends—a good guy with a kind heart. I nod, getting comfortable on the stool. “Alright.”
“We can get you anything. Just name it,” he says, waving over a server.
“Scrambled eggs?”
“Carrie, can you get her the wakeboard special with scrambled eggs?” he tells one of the servers.
She smiles in my direction. “Of course.”
When the blonde woman escapes into the kitchen to start my order, Easton turns back to me. “So, what are you in town for?”
“Business,” I say, wary of having this conversation in public.
He scratches his chin, lowering his eyes. “Does Jasper know you’re here?”
I bite the side of my lip and filter through several responses ranging from vague to highly detailed accounts of the last twenty-four hours. “He does.”
“And?” He leans in close. “Have you seen him yet?”
“I have.”
His eyes flicker around the restaurant a few times. “You don’t want to tell me, do you?”
My head falls back, and I let out a heavy sigh. “I went to his office yesterday. Which was interesting because he’s the mayor now.”
Easton crosses his arms and leans over the counter. “I know, right? Crazy to think that happened, but he’s doing really well.”
“I can see that.”
“That doesn’t explain why you’re back,” he presses.
I’m going to give in. Easton can talk Jasper into giving me what I need, so we can both move on with our lives. Jasper’s blowing me off just to piss me off.
I straighten my shoulders and look him in the eyes. “I’m engaged to someone else, and I need him to give me a divorce.”
“Shit, you two are still married?” He arches a brow, but a little smirk is hiding within his smile, telling me he already knew that.
I roll my eyes, picking at the cardboard sleeve on my coffee cup. “Don’t act like you didn’t know.”
“I mean …” Chuckling, he lifts his palms to face upward. “What do you expect? He’s my best friend.”
I release, letting a tight laugh slip through. “I get it, Easton.”
He grabs a towel behind the counter and wipes the espresso machine. “How was the look on his face?”
“You know, he tried to play it cool like my sudden appearance didn’t faze him, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was shocked to see me,” I explain.
“That’s hilarious. I’m kind of hurt he didn’t tell me about it,” Easton jokes.
I glance around the bustling restaurant. “He’s probably been too busy avoiding me.”
“Damn, look at the size of that thing!” a younger server exclaims as she emerges from the kitchen holding my to-go bag.
She’s referring to the giant rock on my left finger.
Proudly, I raise my hand for her to get a better look.
She quickly sets down the bag and grabs my hand. “Easton, did you see this thing?”
“I saw it,” he responds, keeping his eyes locked on mine. Jasper is his best friend, and I’m sure this stings a little.
“Thank you,” I say to her.
“What did he say when you asked him for the divorce?” He picks up our conversation.
“He basically blew me off.”
A sly smile inches across Easton’s face. “I would have guessed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, frustrated. “Doesn’t he want to move on with his life?”
“You’d think so? But I’m not always sure I understand what goes on in his head. I do know that he’s going to make you work for it.”
I roll my eyes, slipping my arm through the loops in the brow bag. “I’m going to go before the food gets cold. Nice seeing you, Easton. Thanks for breakfast.”
Now, I’m not only starving and in need of more coffee, but I’m actually wondering if it’s too early for whiskey. I need to head back to the beach house and regroup. I’m sure the girls will give me some advice.
“It was good seeing you, too, Arizona.” He forces a smile. “How long will you be in town for?”
Grinning, I pop off the stool. “As long as it takes for Jasper to give me a divorce.”
I’m halfway through my food when I finally message the girls.
Me: Another day in paradise and another day without a divorce.
Bailey: I’m glad you texted us. We were all trying to give you space.
Piper: It’s only been one day. Give it some time. What happened?
Lina: Sorry to hear there’s no divorce, but also not sorry.
Lina will say she’s not a hopeless romantic, but secretly, she’s always rooting for love.
Me: Oh, Lina. It’s not like that.
Lina: Keep telling yourself that every time you look at that infinity tattoo on your wrist.
Bailey: Tell us how it’s going.
Me: He basically avoided the topic altogether.
Me: Then, this morning, I ran into one of his best friends, who mentioned that he was not surprised that Jasper was avoiding it.
Piper: Because he still loves you.
Lina: YEP.
Me: You guys are so far from the truth. I’m engaged to Dave. Jasper and I had our shot, and it ended horribly.
Bailey: I don’t know. If he’s pushing you off, maybe he isn’t ready to give you up yet.
Me: He gave me up a long time ago.
Piper: Maybe it just wasn’t your time.
My friends are not helping the situation. Jasper and I were over years ago, and even though the flame he ignited within me will never entirely go out, I know there is no future with us. This chapter needs to close.
Me: I’m texting you all for help, and all you’re doing is making things worse. lol
Piper: Okay, okay. We’re sorry. How about changing up your approach?
Bailey: That’s not a bad idea.
Me: I did go in a little aggressive yesterday.
Lina: Try again with a different tone.
I slump down into the soft cushions on the couch and tap out a response because they might be on to something.
Me: Okay, see, this is the type of advice I’m looking for. Thanks.
Lina: Haha. Took us a minute to catch on!
Bailey: Get it, girl.
Piper: Good luck.
If Jasper is going to make this hard on me, I can’t approach him with the mindset that he’s changed, because even though he’s sitting behind that big desk as mayor, he’s still the same surfer guy who lived in board shorts and ate way too many fish tacos. I need to play his game like I used to.
Armed with a new view of how to get what I want, I scroll through my phone and click on a phone number I haven’t called in years. With each ring, the knot in my throat gets bigger until I hear his voice on the other end.
My skin breaks out in chills, just like it did when he called last night—a physiological response to him I have no control over.
“Avery.”
Picking at the button on my pants, I suck in a weighted breath. Be strong.
“How are you?” I ask in an even tone even though I’m buzzing with nerves.
“I’m good. How did you sleep last night?’
“I slept well, thank you. You?”
“Good. Come out to your balcony,” he gently demands.
I think for a second before rising to my feet and walking to the door. Then, out in the distance, I see him holding up his surfboard with his phone to his ear. Clicking my tongue, a smile pulls at my lips. “Are you spying on me?”
“No, I was just out for a morning swim.”
I open the door, slowly walk to the balcony’s edge, and lean over. “You still go out every morning?”
“Only when I can. It still clears my head,” he says.
“Working helps me clear my head.”
He runs a hand through his wet hair. “And what is work for you?”
Sighing, I rest my hand on my chin. “I’m a flight attendant.”
“That fits.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You like to run away.” His tone is light, but there’s a dark truth behind it.
“That’s not nice.” I play it off, switching the phone to my other ear. “What about you? You’re not working today?”
He shakes his head. “Everyone is off to prepare for the Coconut Grove Days this weekend.”
I flashback to the only other time I attended this event. That night. His truck. Everything that followed. I was out of my mind in love. And in way over my head for how young I was.
“I remember that event,” I say fondly.
“I’ve made some changes, but it still happens every year.” Silence. “Do you remember that night?” he asks, his voice low. I barely hear it over the waves.
I blush. I can still feel the way his body commanded mine. The warmth of his breath on my lips. The connection of him being inside of me. A feeling I haven’t experienced since being with Jasper.
“I do.”
“So do I.”
Panic zips up my spine. With all the heady sensations, it’s also followed by anguish. This conversation is taking a turn in a very personal direction. “Aren’t you hot standing out there?”
“No, I’m used to it.”
“So, what are you doing for the rest of the day?” I ask, keeping the subject away from the painful direction it was going. “Besides hanging out outside of my rental.”
He chuckles. “I was surfing. It’s not my fault you chose to stay only three houses down from mine.”
Slightly embarrassed by my attempt at sarcasm, I stomp my foot, frustrated that I let the girls get into my head. He doesn’t still have feelings for me.
“I had no idea where it was. My friend booked it for me.” I make sure to emphasize that I didn’t consciously do it.
“What are you doing later?” he asks, ignoring my last comment.
“Uh.” Caught off guard, I stumble over my words. “Um, nothing.” Waiting for you to sign my divorce papers.
“I have to get over to the town square to help with setup,” he tells me. Then I see him wave in my direction, walking down the beach with his surfboard tucked under his arm. “But I’d love to show you something later, if you’re up for it?”
He wants to show me something? I don’t think I trust myself alone with him. We’ll end up fucking or getting into a fight. Neither of which will lead to getting these divorce papers signed.
I sigh, watching as he trudges through the sand toward his house. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on,” he pushes. “Maybe if you give me what I want, I’ll give you what you want.” Classic Jasper.
I roll my eyes, but my stomach flutters. “Okay, well, bye,” I blurt out, hurrying off the phone.
“Wait … Avery?”
“Yeah, I’ll go. It’s fine.”
“Good.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Wait …”
I huff. “Yes?”
“I know after all this time, you’ve been with other men, but nothing has made me sleep better at night than knowing I had you first.” He drops those words with pride.
I’m speechless.
“See you at four,” he states before ending the call.
Dammit.