Page 41 of Beautiful Chaos

“He won’t be here for long, and I was thinking, perhaps you’d like to go out for dinner tonight?” He suggested, phrasing it as a question.

While his invitation was shocking, it wasn’t unexpected. He already asked me out twice, and each time I let my fear consume everything in me, I turned him down. I decided tonight I wasn’t going to let my fear win. Even if this could only ever be a dinner date, it would go no further. I felt like I owed this to him. Maybe I owed myself too.

“I’d love to,” I said, confidently with a sweet smile that hid my growing anxiety so well.

The grin that spread across his face as he accepted my response made the anticipation of a nerve-wracking night worthwhile.

* * *

“Jasper won’t hurt me. I’m safe”. I whispered repeatedly. I stood looking at myself in the mirror, chanting those two statements like a mantra I needed to convince myself was true.

Stop being a baby, Harper. It’s time to get over this!

After Max left that afternoon, Jasper took me home to gather a few more articles of clothing. He tried insisting I let him take me shopping instead, but there was no need to shop for a dress for dinner. Aster had more clothes in her closet than a clothing warehouse, and they were all free at my disposal. Half the dresses in her closet still had the tags from the overly expensive clothing stores she frequented.

However, finding one that covered all my lady bits appropriately for a date proved to be a bit of a challenge. I settled for a black tie-over dress with a swoop back, and long sleeves to cover the scars on my wrists. The hemline was a bit shorter than I liked but it wasn’t as bad as most of the others I pulled out to try on.

Poor Jasper waited in the living room while I searched for something to wear. He was so patient. Never once did he make me feel rushed or inconvenienced. It seemed out of character for a man with his public stature. He seemed like he wasn’t told ‘No’ often.

Until he met me, even I found it hard to say ‘No’.

Chapter 28

JASPER

On our way down to the parking garage I couldn’t help but admire Harper’s reflection in the elevator doors.

She looks fucking gorgeous.

I’m taking her to a very low-key restaurant. My goal for dinner is for Harper to enjoy herself, and enjoy my company, with as little apprehension as possible. Given her past, and everything I’ve witnessed from her so far, it won’t be simple.

She’s worth the try.

Zuma is a high-end restaurant known for serving some of the city’s finest cod. I didn’t want to take her anyplace she would feel crowded, or triggered. I have my go-to places I like to frequent but none of those would be as quiet as she needs it to be.

It took so much for her to agree to this date. I didn’t want to fuck it all up just because I tried to impress her, and took her to some over-the-top, overcrowded restaurant where the wait staff barely gave you space to breathe because they were falling all over themselves to please you, with high hopes of getting a good tip.

Harper doesn’t get impressed by bling or upscale spots, and that’s why I’m so intrigued by her. She isn’t like most women her age, who foam at the mouth from being asked to dinner, nearly undressing at the sight of my Rolex or expensive suits. It’s going to take more than that to get her attention.

I was careful to pick a place where the lighting was perfect. I’m friends with the owner, so it wasn’t hard to get a private booth reserved for us, one that is secluded and quiet.

I need everything to be fucking perfect tonight.

Walking out to meet Hector in the parking garage, Harper looked at me in surprise.

Shit, what’s that look about?

As we walked closer to the SUV, I placed my hand on the small of Harper’s back and led her to the front passenger seat. I nodded at Hector, he immediately got the hint and closed the back door, before he retrieved the keys from his front pocket.

Once Harper was safely seated, and I closed her door, Hector held the keys up in front of him, with a smirk.

“Have fun tonight boss, take care of her.” He said before shaking his head and walked off from the car toward the elevator doors. I snickered, strolling over to the driver’s side door. Hector has a knack for reading people, he has really warmed up to Harper in no time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Harper watching me. A wave of excitement surged through me, leaving me blushing like a schoolboy, caught in a bashful moment.

When I got into the driver’s seat Harper was fidgeting with the hemline on her dress, I could tell she was nervous, and for the first time in for fucking ever…

I was too.

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