12. Jasper
TWELVE
JASPER
Me: Did you get home ok?
Finn: You dropped me at the door, Professor, so you know I did. Thank you for last night. I had a lovely evening.
Me: ‘Lovely’ - a word I love being called.
Finn: What would you prefer I say? I’m glad everyone thought I was your boyfriend because you’re hot as hell, and the world would be jealous?
Me: What? No. I didn’t mean... It’s just lovely is what you call your Kaftan-wearing aunt, who forces you to kiss her at Christmas.
Finn: *laughing face emoji*
Finn: I didn’t mean to offend you! Last night was very pleasurable.
Finn: *blushing face emoji*
Finn: That sounded weirder than I imagined. Let me try again.
Finn: The evening was quite delightful.
Finn: It was most agreeable.
Me: Now you sound like you’re in an episode of Bridgerton!
Finn: What??? Do you watch Bridgerton? Antony Bridgerton #swoon
I stared at my phone, unable to hide the smile or the warm feeling that crept through me at this simple exchange. I’d always struggled with friendships, with being myself around people. I’d never understood why I was like that, despite the amount of time my therapist had spent unpicking my upbringing and teenage years, but things with Finn felt... easy.
Me: I preferred The Duke, and no matter how much I loved Polin, season 3 didn’t do it for me at all.
Finn: I’m agog. Shocked. Shooketh, Professor. I thought I had you pegged, but maybe I was wrong. Although, I will never admit that, so delete this conversation immediately.
Me: Deleting as we speak.
My foot tapped as I sat in the driver’s seat of my car where I’d parked to visit my family for lunch. I’d not meant to text Finn, but he’d been playing on my mind all morning... who was I kidding? All night too. And now I was panicking that I’d overstepped by texting about something not work-related.
Me: Sorry if I’ve disturbed your weekend.
Finn: Don’t be.
Me: You’re not busy?
Finn: I am, but it’s nice to have someone check on me.
My cheeks heated.
Me: I probably shouldn’t contact you about non-work stuff. I’m sure you don’t want me annoying you on a weekend too.
Finn: We can’t be friends?
I didn’t know why the word ‘friend’ left such a bad taste in my mouth, but it did.
Me: We can. It’s not weird?
Finn: It’s not weird. Now, stop procrastinating and go visit your family.
I looked at the house, knowing they’d all be in there.
Finn: Text me later. Check I’m still alive, and tell me how lunch went.
A shiver rippled up my spine at the instruction. It made life so much easier when people told me what they wanted and expected from me. Trav used to do it too. I leant my head against the window and let out a long breath, before I liked Finn’s message and stepped out of the car to head to my mum’s house.
* * *
“I’m stuffed,” I groaned as I pressed my hand on my stomach. “I missed your cooking, Ma.”
She grinned over at me before standing to clear the table, but Jax leapt up from his seat.
“Er, no, beautiful. Sit. We’ll clear up.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek that made her blush, and I couldn’t help the stab of jealousy that hit me in the chest. I’d never had that. Never have someone take care of me or show me affection like it was an everyday thing. Even when I had people who cared about me, like Travis, I pushed them away. Guilt swirled through me as I thought about our last day together... the things I’d told him and then what I did.
“So, are you coming, Jas?” I looked up to find Conner and Jax staring at me like they were waiting for me to answer.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to shake off the shitty feeling dragging me from the moment with my family. “Sorry, what? I was too busy thinking about Ma’s homemade dessert and wasn’t listening.”
“My charity event later this month? Are you coming?” Jax asked as he piled the dirty plates on top of each other.
“Free food, hot women, and some famous dancer,” Conner added, wiggling his eyebrows. The boy never changed.
“As Conner so eloquently explained, it’s a formal dinner, and we have managed to get Arlo Garcia to come out of retirement and perform before we eat. The tickets sold so fast—people are desperate to see him one last time. We’ve also got a silent auction. Your mum thought you might want to donate one of your photos. It doesn’t have to be an original. Just a print, maybe. I know how much your photos sell for.”
I tutted. “Of course I’ll give you an original.”
“You sure?”
A hand pressed to my shoulder as Ma appeared next to me. “Told you he’d want to help out.” She squeezed approvingly and then placed the rhubarb crumble on the table in front of me.
“And who’s the dancer?” I asked, reaching for the bowls Callam had put down.
“Arlo Garcia. You must have heard of him. He was huge in the US. Appeared on Dancing with the Stars as a guest dancer one week and the internet nearly went into meltdown. Here, let me show you.” Jax took out his phone, but Mum glared at him. “I’ll show you after dinner,” he whispered, rolling his eyes playfully.
“And this is why I don’t do relationships. You end up pussy whipped,” Conner muttered as he took his seat again. “You won’t catch me getting tied down anytime soon.”
“Who’s going to have you?” I joked, making Callam splutter out a laugh.
“Boys,” Ma let out with a sigh.
“Don’t lie, you’ve missed this,” Call said, pouring custard into his bowl.
Mum picked up her spoon and winked. “Hhhhmm, maybe.”