Chapter 15
Jasmine
Steam clings to my skin when I step out of the shower and towel my hair.
The last few days have stretched like taffy, the string between me and Mr. Grayson pulled taut. He hasn’t taken me again, not fully.
Not because he doesn’t want to, though.
I feel it in the way his gaze hooks on me, in the not-so-casual touches—his knuckles tapping my chin when Sophie isn’t looking, fingers brushing mine around the coffee cup, the night he caged me at the stove just to let me feel what I do to him in my tiny shorts.
I know he’s giving me, and my body, time.
Sweet and responsible. Meanwhile, desperate urgency hums in my bones.
Sophie’s text earlier said to dress up for an evening out. She’s such a homebody usually but with her new mantra to grab life by the horns, I’m not surprised by anything she decides on, these days.
I open my closet and—whoa. The black dress that hangs there is one I’ve only seen on runways. The fabric is cool and expensive against my skin, the cut borderline illegal in three states. I slip it on and barely recognize the beautiful, almost-stunning girl in the mirror.
But then it’s more than just an expensive dress that makes me look different. It’s the confidence I’ve gained being around Nathan. And not just because he wants me but because he sees me and likes me for who I am. Texas-shaped scar and all…
After I blow dry my hair, I use a little mascara, blush, and lip-gloss like Sophie showed me this past week. Then, I clasp the necklace he gave me.
The little weight at my throat warms fast, like it remembers his hands.
After only catching glimpses of him this week, part of me wants to make an excuse and bail on Sophie. Then I could curl up on the couch and “Netflix and Chill” with him.
I laugh, imagining explaining what that means because Mr. Grayson does not do slang, or TV, or chilling. But I’m not ditching Sophie. She’s been inching out of her anxiety shell for months, and I can’t become that friend who cancels on her because she’s obsessed with the said friend’s dad.
Sighing, I step out.
The living room makes me still.
Warm light. Music. A sea of bodies, laughter spilling through the space. Waiters in black and white glide past with trays of champagne.
My brain stutters.
Is Nathan entertaining business associates? Special guests that he didn’t want Sophie and me underfoot for?
My chest pinches at the thought. Did he plan this whole evening just to get me out of the way? Are there women among his special guests, women who fit his world better than I ever could?
No, he would never act so underhanded. In all these years, he’s never brought a woman home, even a friend.
He told me it’s been a while for him and I believe him. As fantastical as it is that a charming, powerful billionaire like him doesn’t have women falling over him wherever he goes.
But then, he’s more than just those things and only a few know that side of him. He’s kind and self-deprecating and is a natural protector.
The crowd shifts and relief spears me as I see familiar faces. Nathan’s younger brother Zayn’s leaning against the bar and his wife Sasha stands beside him. She lifts her flute in a salute when our eyes meet.
Max—Nathan’s best friend—is deep in conversation with Adam, Sasha’s brother.
Even Mariska, Sasha’s best friend, my sometimes classmate at the community college—and the owner of Devil’s donuts that’s right next door to Sasha’s indie bookstore One More Page—is also here.
Then I recognize a few more faces—a younger crowd that Sophie and I have known through high school and clubs.
“Surprise!!” Sophie screeches from the kitchen while running full speed at me.
Shocked, I have just enough sense to brace for impact against the wall as she throws her petite form at me. I’m shaking as she hugs me tight, her cheek soft against mine. “Happy birthday, Jazz darling!”
I push back from her hold and search her eyes. My heart matches the dangerous thumping beat from the speakers.
Sophie laughs, the distinctive gap between her front teeth making it all the more beautiful. “Did you think I’d forgotten this year?”
I laugh and it comes out as a strange, strangled kind of sound. “Of course I didn’t think that. You have been a bit out of it the last few weeks and I thought maybe you just forgot to wish me this morning.”
“I have been out of it?” Sophie says, smirking.
Heat spreads across my face like a wildfire. Does she know? Has she seen me and Nathan together somehow? “No, that’s not what I—”
Sophie grins and kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad Dad suggested we throw you a party, Jazz. In all these years, you never let me spoil you even once. And this year, I was determined to do something special as it might be the last—”
I press my fingers to her mouth as I see Mr. Grayson’s broad form moving towards us. Panic and excitement and a burst of hope unfurl within me, stealing my thinking or speaking abilities.
Sophie sneaks a glance behind her. Her eyes flare as she meets mine, reflecting shock. I wait for her to deny it or that I’m building scenarios that don’t exist in my head.
Instead, she nods. And I see the truth of what she’d almost blurted out in her eyes.
She is leaving—it’s as real as my feelings for her dad.
Hot tears knock behind my eyes and I take a bracing breath to arrest them.
I hate this—we are best friends and we are both keeping secrets from each other. I resolve to have it out with her by the end of the night.
And Mr. Grayson too. I owe him better than hiding things from him that would eventually hurt him.
“OMG, Jazz! Please, don’t cry,” Sophie whispers, her blue eyes filling up. “It’s not like—”
“Why is Jasmine crying? Soph, what did you do?” Mr. Grayson’s voice is a rumble behind her and the entire party comes to a screeching halt.
My face turns red as I feel everyone’s gaze on me like a hundred, pointed laser beams.
Sophie lets go of my hand and automatically shifts to make space for him. I stare at her and the naughty twitch of her mouth, my belly sloshing. Apparently, my best friend has her own agenda.
“I didn’t do anything, Dad,” she says, infusing extra helplessness into her tone. “Apparently Jazz doesn’t like surprise parties. I guess one of us should have known that.”
Nathan’s frown deepens. He squeezes my shoulder and is about to pull me into him when I resist. He clears his throat and lessens the pressure. But doesn’t release me completely. I keep my eyes on his silver-grey ones, remembering his warning last time.
His mouth twitches as if he’s remembering the same.
Does he wish that I defied his direct order so that he will claim me in front of everyone? I’m almost tempted to test him on his threat. Almost.
His voice is a husky rasp when he speaks. “Not a problem. I’ll just ask everyone to leave.” And then before I can blink or breathe, he turns around, cups his hand around his mouth and shouts, “Party’s over. Everyone, get out.”
Murmurs grow around the large living room like the buzzing of bees and people stare at each other. Zayn and Max look at each other, then back at Nathan and smirk. Apparently, they’re not budging from the show we’re putting on. At my side, Sophie’s giggling.
“No, wait,” I say, grabbing Nathan’s wrist. “I don’t hate surprise parties. I just…”
He looks behind him and his mouth relaxes as he notices that Sophie’s disappeared. “You just what?”
I look up and nearly drown in his eyes. There’s so much wanting there that it’s a surprise I don’t melt into a puddle at his feet. And I know that I can’t go on without telling him how I feel.
But before I do that, I have to square things with my best friend, beg her to tell him what she’s planning.
By midnight tonight, I vow to myself, I’ll have it all sorted. With her and him.