Page 65 of Risks

I wave it off, still continuing todance. “It’s fine. You don’t need to do that.”

Aya bounces her gaze between usbefore pinching her brows together.

“This is Jasper from my writers’club,” I introduce them. “Jasper, this is my roommate, Aya.”

“How’s it going?”

“Hey.” She nods along to the beat ofthe song while observing him.

Jasper motions back the way he came.“You girls want to hang out?” He adds with a playful wiggle of his brows, “Myfriends are here too.”

“Actually, we’re about to take off,”I tell him. “It’s been a long day. But thanks.”

“All right. Well, again, happybirthday.”

“Thanks,” I say with a smile. “Seeyou.”

I’m caught off guard when he graspsmy hand and lifts it to his mouth, pressing a kiss on my knuckles. “See you.”

I flick to Aya as he walks away.

Hooking her arm around mine, sheleads me through the dancing bodies out to the sidewalk. “Who was that?”

“I told you, a friend from theclub.”

“Mmhm.” Lips pursed, she angles herhead and folds her arms. “Does Varen know about this friend?”

“He knows that I’m making friends.”I shrug. “I’ve told Jasper that I’m in a relationship.”

She lets out a sarcastic sniff. “Fromthe hungry look in his eyes, it doesn’t seem dude got the picture.”

“I’ll stress it again,” I say.

With a nod, she gestures for us tostart walking back.

I think about Jasper’s kiss on myhand again. Aya is right. That didn’t feel innocent coming from him, and I knowVaren would be pissed if he found out.

30

I feel like it’s been forever sinceI’ve sat down and had a meal with my dad.

He invites me out the day after Toya’sbirthday, and I’m happy to catch up with him.

“Toya seemed like she enjoyed yesterday,”he says once the waitress leaves after taking our orders.

“Yeah, I think she did despite notbeing home.”

He drinks some water. “I’m glad,considering what happened.”

“How are things with Lisa? How hasshe been since the fall?”

“Recovering fast.” He clears histhroat before continuing. “She’s trying hard, sharing more with me regarding thepain of being shunned by her father. I’m listening and trying to understand whyshe did what she did, and I’m also working on moving forward.”

“So, you’re staying together then?”I confirm.

He nods. “I want my marriage towork. It’ll take some time to get past what Lisa did, but I don’t want to giveup on us. I love her.”

“I understand.”

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