Page 111 of Broken Pact

"Thanks for dinner, Mom," I say, my voice strained. "We should get going."

She nods, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Of course, honey. You two drive safe now. Don’t forget, there’s still a serial killer out there.”

“Not this again, Ma,” Graham says with a groan.

“What?” Mom’s brows crash together as she shrugs. “It’s true, you know. I watch the news.”

We make quick work of our goodbyes, my mom and Graham both offering slightly strained smiles as we head for the door. My dad follows us onto the porch, pulling me into a tight hug.

“I like him, Cora,” he murmurs gruffly in my ear. “I think he could be good for you. And this family.”

Despite the tension of the evening, a small smile tugs at my lips. “Thanks, Dad.”

He releases me with a nod, turning to shake Jasper’s hand. “Jasper. Nice to meet you. Try not to judge my wife too harshly. She’s a worrier, that one, but she means well.”

Jasper returns my dad’s firm handshake. “I appreciate that, sir. And I’m not one to judge.”

Dad’s tanned face creases into a smile. “You’ll take care of my girl now, won’t you?”

"Yes sir, I intend to." Jasper's voice is steady and sure as he meets my father's gaze. Something warm unfurls in my chest at their exchange.

With a final nod, Dad retreats back into the house, leaving Jasper and I alone on the porch.

“You okay, baby?” he murmurs, his lips brushing my temple.

“Yeah.” I exhale, leaning into him a little as we walk down the driveway. I climb into the truck, and he turns it on, adjusting the air conditioning to high.

“I’m sorry.” I shift in the passenger seat, tucking my left ankle under my right thigh. Jerking my head toward my parents’ house, I mutter, “For in there.”

He reaches across the center console, his hand sinking into the hair at the nape of my neck. He gives it a gentle tug, pulling a little moan from me.

“Stop apologizing, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong.

I worry the side of my lip, glancing over his shoulder and out the driver’s side window. “Still. I’m sorry you had to see that. My family, they’re not bad people.”

His grip tightens, a silent request for my attention. “I know that, Coraline.”

I shake my head, two small movements. Embarrassment wars with gratitude inside of me. “No one has ever done that before. Stood up to my brothers. On my behalf.”

“Happy to oblige you anytime, baby.”

“And I’m sorry you had to see that. See them be so . . . critical. About me.” I glance to the side, avoiding his gaze.

“That wasn’t about you.”

“Me, my food. They’re one in the same.” I cringe inside so hard, it’s a wonder I don’t throw my proverbial back out. I didn’t realize how petulant that sounds until I heard it aloud. I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. Just . . . thank you.” I rest my hands against his chest, my fingers splayed wide across his pecs.

“That was about them, you know. They’re vying for your mother’s favor. And the only way they can do that is by taking cheap shots at you.”

His assessment pulls a chuckle from me, but there’s nothing joyful about it. “I don’t think you’re right.”

“Coraline Carter being contrary?” he says with this faux-gasp.

My lips twist involuntarily, a smile threatening.

“Listen to me, baby, because I think you’re having a hard time comprehending something. You’re mine. And I always protect what’s mine, yeah?”

Butterflies take flight inside my stomach. I know he said those things before, when we were really digging into our fake relationship ruse. But it feels different now.

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