Page 26 of Discretion
“Hey.” I crouched down to his level. “I know you’re excited, but we need to be respectful of Jasper’s home.”
Kai dropped his chin, eyes on the floor. “Sorry, Mum.”
“Thank you. But I think you owe someone else an apology. Hm?” I nudged him.
Kai turned to Jasper, twisting his hands in front of him. “Sorry, Mr. Jasper.”
“Hey.” Jasper crouched down, smiling a bright, wide smile. Big enough to show off his dimple.Ugh.Why?Was the man not hot enough, he just had to have a dimple too?
What was I thinking? Coming to his apartment when I’d admitted that I didn’t trust myself to be alone with Jasper. I tried to tell myself this was a work obligation. I’d been to Sloan’s house hundreds of times. And besides, I wasn’t alone; Kai was here with me.
When Kai’s attention remained on the floor, Jasper placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder. “You’re not in trouble. At least, not with me.”
Finally, Kai lifted his head. He gnawed on his lip, evaluated Jasper, then nodded.
Jasper seemed completely unfazed by Kai’s energy. If anything, Jasper seemed to welcome it.
Maybe he’s just being polite?
But the easy smile on Jasper’s face told me it wasn’t an act. He was genuinely relaxed, and it all seemed so natural.
“Come on,” Jasper said, steering Kai by the shoulder. “Let me give you a tour.”
Jasper glanced at me over his shoulder, and I mouthed, “Thank you.”
Jasper winked at me and then turned his attention back to my son. I tried not to read too much into that wink. Into the things he’d said yesterday. Instead, I turned my attention to my surroundings.
His home wasn’t at all what I’d expected. It was a lot more…cozy.
The furniture looked expensive, but inviting. There waseven a slight indent in one of the couch cushions, like he actually used it. He had a few pieces of art, and they were colorful and quirky. The artists were unknown to me, something that would’ve immediately disqualified them from Craig’s consideration.
It had been one of my ex’s favorite party tricks—having me call out flaws or forgeries in the artwork on display. It didn’t matter whether we were at a museum or a private home. He’d always put me on the spot, even though I’d told him many times that it made me uncomfortable.
Jasper continued the tour, and I wondered why he’d chosen those pieces. Maybe he’d purchased them as investments, like Craig and so many of his friends. Maybe an interior designer had made the selections. But if I knew Jasper like I thought I did, I seriously doubted that.
He was too detail-oriented. Too focused on guest experience to leave something as personal as his home up to someone else. And while it had an undercurrent of quiet elegance and luxury, the space felt both intentional and welcoming. It suited him.
“Here’s my favorite room,” Jasper said, interrupting my musings. “The game room.”
“Oh sweet!” Kai’s eyes pinged between the giant beanbags, the even bigger TV, and all the game consoles. “You like video games?”
“Love them.” Jasper leaned in, getting more at Kai’s level. “My brothers and I like to play together sometimes. What about you?”
“Oh yeah. But Mum won’t let me play too much.”
“That’s because your mom’s a smart woman. But if she’s okay with it, maybe the next time the two of you come over, we can play.”
Kai turned to me, a hopeful expression on his face. WhenI looked at Jasper, he was wearing a similar one.Oh lord. These two.
They’d just met, and they were already conspiring against me.
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but Jasper had quickly hit it off with Kai. Jasper and I were no longer together, but it made me wonder if… No. I shook my head to clear it. It didn’t matter. I should just be grateful things were going so well and not read anything into it.
“Mum?” Kai tugged on my wrist.
Oh right.He’d asked me a question about video games.
“Maybe.”
