Page 39 of Until Then

Peace dies. Ice fills my veins.

Jasper stands two feet behind me. Tan skin with his dark stubble. Handsome and pompous. His suit is perfectly fitted, and he still wears those gaudy silver rings on every finger.

Lost in the pull of the wedding and Noah, I’d practically forgotten the risk of Jasper being here as a plus one. I’d forgotten I told Briar to concede.

Stupid of me. In this moment, I wish I would’ve encouraged Briar to tell her new sister-in-law to stick her opinions somewhere else. This is Briar’s and Tyrell’s wedding, and my friend has no love for Jasper Barnes.

“Jasper.” I turn away and watch the dance floor, desperate for him to take the hint and leave.

He doesn’t.

“How’ve you been?”

“Fine.”

“Come on, Hazy.”

“Hayley.” I glare at him. “What do you want, Jasper? Where’s your date, or did you find someone else? That’s sort of your thing, right?”

He smirks. “Still mad, I see.”

I sigh with a touch of resignation. “I don’t want to make idle conversation with you, no. But you don’t cross my mind much if that’s what you’re asking.”

My ex’s face hardens, like my admission that he doesn’t impact every minute of my day was an unexpected blow to his ego he hadn’t anticipated. “Listen, I know you avoid this sort of scene, but this is my world, Hazy. Care for some advice if you’re going to be all over Noah Hayden?”

What a jerk. “I’m not all over Noah.”

Jasper leans forward, a familiar expression to his face. The one he always wore when he planned to correct something he found unsatisfactory about me. The one he wore when he wanted to break me a little more. “Are you looking for his help to bring business to the ranch? I know how much it’s struggling.”

He might as well have throat punched me. Once I used to confide in this man about my worries regarding the financial stability of Sweet Cream Ranch.

My grandpa’s medical expenses put Nan in a tough spot, and it isn’t exactly like my therapy is booming. It’s tough to get grants to help people pay for what insurance won’t cover. Donations and investors are equally hard to find.

I’ve wanted to get half the property restored into a working ranch with cattle, crops, anything to help pay the other half. Again, it takes finances. The kind we don’t have.

I glare at Jasper. “Noah knows nothing about the ranch.”

“Then, I don’t know what you’re doing. You’re not going to keep his attention, Haze. Don’t lower yourself by thinking you might. You’re not his type, sorry.”

“Go away, Jasper.” The sting of tears burns behind my eyes.

“I’m saying this to help you. He’s always spotted with lingerie models, Haze.” He gives me the cruel look of false sympathy, as though I’m nothing but a silly, confused child. “If you think he’s not going to wander, you’re being naive.”

I clench my fists over my lap. “It’s pretty pathetic if you think it’s naive to expect your monogamous partner to be loyal. I had no idea your bar was so low, Jasper.”

His cheek twitches. “I’m trying to help you, sweetie.” His eyes scan my body, tears it apart is more like it.

I cross my arms over my chest, a sense of being utterly exposed twists my gut.

Jasper clicks his tongue. “Even dressing like a skank won’t tie him down, Haze. Next time don’t show up with all of you hanging out. It only embarrasses you.”

I can’t breathe. Never in our years together did Jasper say something so . . . so derogatory.

“Hey, baby. I got your water.” A warm mouth presses to my neck. Shivers dance up my arms. Noah sits in the chair at my side and encircles my shoulders, tugging me close into his body.

My brow arches. He merely kisses the place behind my ear.

I’m speechless, utterly confused, but take the cold bottled water.

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