Page 31 of Jasper

“Rowie and Ember are both Littles. You’re safe to be Little here, too.”

How did he know? Am I that obvious? Shoot. I try to hide it as much as possible. But he did see the inside of my camper. I don’t hide it in there. It’s too small to even try.

Jasper gives my arm a gentle squeeze before stepping back. “I’ll let you girls hang out for a bit. I need to do some work in my office,” he tells me. “If you need anything, they’ll show you where it is. Make yourself at home here, rainbow.”

And then he’s gone, his heavy boots retreating down the hallway as I stand in stunned silence, unsure of everything that just happened.

Ember and Rowie both motion for me to join them on the plush rug. Coloring books are already spread out in front of them, along with markers and colored pencils arranged in a rainbow of little cups.

I kneel down, choosing a page with a big-eyed kitten and grabbing a handful of colored pencils. For a few minutes, it’s quiet. Peaceful. Only the sound of scribbling and soft breathing and the rustle of paper. It’s comfortable, like the three of us have been doing this for years.

Then Rowie blurts, “Okay, we’re dying here. What’s the deal with you and Jasper?”

I blink, startled. “What?”

She grins like she knows exactly what she’s doing.

“Nothing’s going on,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Seriously. For some reason, Jasper thinks he’s the boss of me, and I’m still trying to figure out why. But we’re just… friends. I don’t even know if that’s what we are. He sort of kidnapped me last night. We barely know each other.”

Rowie and Ember exchange a look, and then they both laugh.

Ember waves a marker in my direction. “I don’t thinkhethinks you’re just friends.”

I furrow my brow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Rowie says, shifting onto her belly and resting her chin on her hands, “I’ve never seen Jasper act the way he does around you. He’s gentler. Softer. Not so growly all the time.”

I snort. “Thatwas gentle? You should’ve seen him when I tried to stay in my camper.”

Rowie laughs, nodding. “Oh, trust me. That was gentle for Jasper. He can be a total grump. Like, epic-level grump.”

I go quiet again, coloring the cat’s tail in shades of pink and blue, my mind spinning. After a few minutes, I find myself looking up at them, nervous but curious.

“Can I… ask you something?”

They both nod eagerly.

“Does Jasper… have a girlfriend?”

Rowie reaches over and pats my hand like a grandma about to drop life-changing wisdom. Which is funny since she’s dressed in a bright pink tutu and has pigtails in her hair. “Jasper’s not the kind of guy who has a girlfriend. He’s the kind of guy who would have a Little girl.”

I blink. “So… he doesn’t have one?”

Ember shakes her head. “Nope. Not since I’ve known him. Which hasn’t been that long, but Cage has made it seem like all of them have pretty much lived alone for years.”

“They’ve gone on dates here and there, but until you two, there’s never been another woman other than me. That’s how I know Jasper thinks of you as much more than a friend.”

A strange feeling rushes through me. Warm and fluttery and terrifying.

I look at them again. “Wait… does that mean Jasper’s a Daddy?”

Rowie and Ember smile, and it’s the kind of smile that says,finally, she’s catching on.

“Yes,” Rowie replies softly. “Jasper’s a Daddy.”

“And we’re pretty sure,” Ember adds, her grin widening, “he’syourDaddy now.”

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