Chapter Twenty-Nine
Now
Jasper
Ipace back and forth, wearing down the same spot on my hardwood floors. I wonder if Avery will want to see me again after her dinner with Helen. She has come barging back into my life, and the sheer terror I feel about losing her once again manifests into a light hum of panic.
My phone chimes on the kitchen counter. I practically jumped over the back of my couch to grab it, hoping it was her.
Easton: Avery is having dinner next door with Helen.
As if best friend telepathy, he knew I’d be wondering where she was at.
Me: At Marv’s?
Easton: Yeah. Shouldn’t she still be holed up with you instead of eating pasta?
I roll my eyes.
Me: She hasn’t seen Helen in years. They’re just catching dinner together.
Easton: You two are done with your little weekend trip down memory lane?
Me: First of all, the weekend isn’t over, my friend. Second of all, I’m headed to meet them now.
A lie. But his words get to me. This weekend can’t end yet.
I need more time with her. I don’t know if that makes a difference, but right now, I’m obsessed with soaking up as much time with her as possible.
Once she gets hit with a reminder of reality, my fantasy is over.
She’ll still be in need of a divorce and back to another man. Fuck, that makes me ill.
Easton: Okay. If you say so. Don’t forget, we’re meeting Bodhi and Riley for a beer later.
Me: I forgot that rich fucker is back in town.
Easton: YEP. See you later.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, swipe my keys off the counter, and head out the door. My stomach is in knots the entire ride over to the restaurant. Not because I’m showing up but because I fear my time with her is running out.
I pull into the back parking lot at Marv’s Italian restaurant a short time later.
“Hey, Jasper.” One of the cooks greets me with a cigarette dangling off his bottom lip.
“What’s up, man?” I return, extending an arm to open the black wrought-iron door into the kitchen.
“Do you want me to have them pack up your usual to-go order?” he asks.
“That’d be great. Thanks,” I toss over my shoulder as the heavy metal slams behind me.
The kitchen is busy with people in black-and-white uniforms scurrying around. Classic rock plays in the background, lightly overshadowed by the line cooks calling out orders. As I walk toward the front of the restaurant, I get a few hellos from the staff.
“Jasper!” Standing at least a foot shorter than me, Marv comes barreling out of the office. “I didn’t know you were coming! Did you already call in your order? I didn’t see it yet. Annette!”
“No, I didn’t call in an order,” I interrupt his frantic spiral. “No one forgot anything, don’t worry.”
Marv nods his head vigorously. “Okay, okay. That’s good.”
“Busy tonight?” I comment, scanning the room for Avery and Helen.
“Yes.” He smiles, calmer now. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m good, Marv.” I pat his shoulder. “I’m here looking for a few friends.”
“Lady friends?” His mouth curls into a high smile.
“Sort of.” I laugh, glancing behind me to sweep the dining room again. “It’s Helen and her niece Avery.”
“Oh yes. They have the table in the corner.” He points to the opposite end of the restaurant. “I’ll take you over.”
“No, I don’t want to interrupt them. I just wanted to see if they were here,” I tell him.
Hearing those words reminds me I had no plan for after I got here. What was I going to say once I saw them? I would never want to intrude on Avery’s dinner with her aunt—they haven’t seen each other in years.
I stand here confused but not willing to leave yet. Am I worried losing sight of Avery could cause me to lose her entirely again? Am I chasing her or our past?
Maybe both.
Marv shrugs his shoulders. “Okay. Well, since you’re here. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
I’ll wait until they finish, then follow Avery to her car. That’s not weird at all. I repeated this to myself a few times before responding to Marv. “Sure. I’ll just hang out here at the bar.”
“Wonderful. I’ll grab you something from my reserve.” His voice is spritely.
I climb onto the bar stool, keeping Avery and Helen in my peripheral. “Sounds good.”
The door to the back flings open and then shuts as Marv pushes himself through.
“Mayor Collins.” The tall, blonde bartender says my name smoothly. “What can I get for you?”
“I’m good. Marv is grabbing me something from his personal stash,” I say.
“Of course he is.” Her eyes drop to my lips and then back up. “Can I get you anything while you wait?”
I shake my head, seemingly declining more than just a drink offer.
“Suit yourself.” She rolls a shoulder, turning in the opposite direction.
“Jasper?” A feminine voice from behind me. It’s not the one I’d prefer, but it’s familiar.
I whip my head around, coming face-to-face with Melanie. I knew it was a bad idea to date a local. “Oh, hi, Melanie.”
“Haven’t heard from you in a while,” she states, clutching her purse.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid her for much longer. Coconut Grove is a small town, and I am the mayor, for fuck’s sake. Melanie and I were just a casual thing, but the moment I saw Avery walk into my office that day, a switch flipped.
“I meant to call you, but I’ve been busy.” I give her a canned, empty response. It’s a dick move. My mind can only focus on the tattooed brunette from my past.
“Of course,” Melanie dismisses my reply, knowing as well as I do it’s a bullshit excuse. She opens her red lips to continue, but Marv is suddenly at her side.
“Jasper! Here is my favorite red,” he begins as if not realizing he’s walked into our conversation.
Grateful for his electric personality, I sigh a breath of relief.
“Iris and I use it as a table red whenever we have people over. Yes, it’s a simple blend, but just perfectly spiced.
” he slips around the back of the bar and pulls two wine glasses off the hanger.
“Well, here, you just have to try it,” he continues.
“Oh, you have company!” he says, reaching for a third glass.
“She’s not staying,” I blurt, extending my arm in front of us. Marv pauses, his hand suspended in the air. His eyes dart over to Melanie, and they exchange uncomfortable looks. I get the urge to explain or apologize—or something.
Heat burns the tips of my ears. “I meant that I’m meeting someone soon.”
“Stalking me, Mr. Collins?” The last voice I ever want to hear is suddenly behind me.
I slowly craned my neck, knowing Avery had joined our uncomfortable group.
My situation got a hell of a lot stranger.
I can’t tell them all a different story, and now the restaurant owner—one of my constituents, my ex-fling, and the love of my life—are all staring at me, waiting for me to answer their simple questions.
“Avery, hi,” I say causally.
“What are you doing here?” Her hand rests on the back of my high-back bar stool.
“Okay, four glasses of my favorite red are coming up!” Marv’s excited voice and clanking glasses provide a brief reprieve.
“Hi, I’m Melanie.” Melanie shoots her arm out with a smug look, swiping me across the face.
“I’m Avery.” I catch the subtle furrow of Avery’s brow as she returns the gesture.
I open my mouth to speak, but the way Melanie’s eyes bore into Avery’s, it won’t matter what I say. So, instead, I sit and sweat.
Melanie clicks her tongue. “And how do you know Jasper?”
Avery’s lip quirks up with a devious smile. “Oh, we used to fuck.”
Damn.
Melanie’s face reddens, and then she takes a hard swallow and replies, “So did we.”
This isn’t going well, but what should I expect?
“Look—” I begin, but I’m quickly dismissed.
“But not anymore,” Avery replies with a condescending tone.
I should be nervous by this exchange, but every single nerve in my body lights up with each of Avery’s comebacks. Fuck. I missed her. She’s tame, but there’s an intoxicating little spark and confidence in her now.
“Listen, I don’t know who you are—” Melanie snaps.
I jump off my seat, positioning myself between them. “Okay, okay—”
“Wine for everyone!” Marv rushes over, carrying four glasses on a black tray.
I turn to him. “One moment, my friend.” Then I shift to Melanie. “It was great running into you, Melanie. I’ll see you around sometime.”
Her hand flies to her hip. “That’s how this is going to be?”
“Melanie,” I say, lowering my voice. “We’ve discussed this.”
From the corner of my eye, a subtle smirk on Avery’s face tells me everything I need to know about where we stand.
Melanie snatches one of Marv’s glasses of red wine, takes a hefty swig, and then flashes me a glare before stomping out of the restaurant.
“Please come back for our buy one get one pasta deal next time!” Marv smiles wide. “More for us.”
“Thank you, but the lady and I need a few moments alone,” I tell him, removing two glasses and handing one to Avery.
“Of course,” he says. “Your takeout will be ready soon. And please, everything is on the house.”
“You’re the best, man.”
Lowering her eyes, Avery stiffly climbs into the chair next to me. “Again, stalking me, Mr. Collins?”
I smile. “Sorry about the Melanie situation.”
Her eyes fall to the glass in front of her. “No need to explain.”
Leaning in, I take two fingers and gently pinch her chin. Tilting her head until we make eye contact, my expression slowly changes. “Melanie and I are not currently sleeping together.”
Avery jerks her head away, scoffing it off. “You don’t need to explain, Jasper.”
“But I do. I want you to know,” I say. “We went out a few times, but it was casual.”
“How long?”
“It’s been a few months,” I admit.
She lets out an audible sigh, pausing for a moment before speaking. “Okay.”
Her response catches me off guard. I don’t know how I wanted her to react, but I’d assumed I’d at least be able to get a read on it. “Okay? That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Avery’s lips purse together as she swigs the cabernet. “So, what are you doing here?”
I look away, hiding the grin on my face. “I came for you.”
“You did?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Want to go back to my place?” I ask, not entirely convinced she’d come.
Avery downs the glass of wine. “Let’s go.”
Excitement courses through my veins. We’re not done yet. I get more time with her, and I can’t be more relieved about it.