Page 96 of Love, Magic and Misfortune
“That sounds wild. Unfathomable.”
“It’s inevitable, Vi. You’re brilliant—talented and creative. You… You truly deserve everything good that the world has to offer. Congratulations.”
She reached her hand across the table, palm flipped up. “Thank you,” she said, waiting. He hesitated, but met her gesture, sliding his palm into hers and warmly clasping their hands together. He was smiling, but it was off and didn’t reach his eyes. Violet frowned. “What is it?”
“What is what?”
“You’ve been off ever since New Year’s. It’s like you’re too quiet sometimes—”
“I’m talking right now.” He grinned, still not fooling anyone.
“Jasper, just talk to me—”
“We’re celebrating today. Celebrating you and this bold, incredible path that you’re on. You’re taking control of your life the way you always wanted—the same way that Gloria did. Can we focus on that? Please?”
Simone reappeared, setting their teacups, accoutrements and a beautiful little teapot covered in an intricate floral design down onto the table before sweeping away to answer another customer’s beckoning call. Jasper picked up the pot, filling her cup before his own.
“Is your departure from the city job effective immediately?” he asked. “Or did you give them notice?”
He set the teapot down. When she didn’t respond, he looked up. “Vi?”
“Are you going to disappear again?”
“What?”
“Just disappear. I’ll go to your house one day and it’ll be empty. You’ll have packed everything in secret and left without telling me, because you think that would be best for me—because you think I’d be better off without you.”
“Wh—where is this coming from?”
“Answer me.”
They sat frozen with Jasper staring. Slowly, he shook his head. “I’m not… I wouldn’t do that to you. I would never do that.”
Violet sat back, exhaling to release the stiff tension in her shoulders, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat and lifting her palms to her face. The image kept plaguing her psyche. Laurent House empty and Jasper gone without a trace. Her heart broken a second time. Maybe forever. Unsalvageable.
“Hey.”
She lifted her head to see Jasper reaching his arms across the table, leaning forward with both palms open and careful to avoid the tea setting in the center. Sighing, Violet placed her hands within his. He lifted one to his mouth, his lips resting against her knuckles and his eyes closed. He whispered. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Even though you think I’d be better off without you?”
“Iknowyou would.”
Violet shook her head, blinking back tears. “You’re so wrong.”
He opened his eyes, but his stare was vacant—expressionless as he avoided her face. “I’ll… I’ll show you.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“I’m ready.”
Now, his haunting steel irises flicked up to meet hers. He didn’t speak, but shook his head, then placed the softest kiss against her hand. The gesture was so innocent, so subtle, but it made Violet’s breath catch. Made everything beneath her navel flicker warm with sudden life and spark.
“Sorry, lovebirds, things got unexpectedly busy.”
With Simone standing over them, Jasper sat back, smooth in placing Violet’s hand on the table and focusing on the desserts being set in front of them.
