Page 3 of Burn Baby Burnt

More pathetic, soft tears roll down my face. “Jasper. Ican’t.”

His nostrils flare. “Why the hell not? I’m standing here, right here, asking you. After three fucking years without you, I’m standing here begging you to tell me it was a lie.Tell me, Dixie.”

“It won’t change anything. You’re engaged and your life is better now without me here to mess it up, again. I can’t Jasper, I can’t,” I chant, hopelessly starving to let the truth come out.

“Whatdo you mean? You didn’t mess anything up, not until you left! What are you hiding?” His fingers tighten around my arms, urging me to open up.

He wants to know. He needs to know. Say it.

I–

My mouth opens as my resolve crumbles–

“Darling, are you out there?” a feminine voice calls out. Jasper's hands let me go and I immediately wipe away my tears with the backs of my hands. “There you are, the Chronicle would like a photo– oh, who’s this?”

Lilian Howard, the woman marrying the love of my life. She might as well be a damn supermodel, except she’s not a supermodel, she’s a lawyer and a ridiculously good one. Her short blonde hair is impeccable and her body is enviable.

I throw on my professional voice as fast as I can. “Dixie Wallows,” I say with a smile, holding out my hand. “I’ll be conducting your interview in a bit, I was just on a call when I ran into Mr. Aroselyn. It’s very nice to meet you, I should get back.” I smile again,fake. After shaking her hand lightly, I make myself scarce.

Not even two minutes later, as I’m finally calming myself down in a private hallway, my phone buzzes again.

Jasper:It would make a difference. Tell me, please.

Dixie:I can’t put you at risk anymore. I won’t.

Jasper:What risk?I would have done anything for you.I still will.

Dixie:Ididdo anything for you.

Dixie:It’s best if we just get through the interview. You’ll never have to see me again after, I swear. You deserve to be happy with her. I’ll see you in our next lives. Maybe it’ll work then. Maybe I won’t ruin it, maybe the garden will survive next time.

Jasper:Damnit, Dixie!

Dixie:I’m so sorry. It’s better this way.

“There you are!” Claire smiles as she finds me, clapping her hands together and rubbing them excitedly. “Let’s go get you set up in the interview room.”

“Sounds good.”

Luckily, this interview should take less than a half hour. Unluckily, some of these questions are going to fucking sting.

It doesn’t take long to set up the chairs and equipment.

“Hello, Mr. Aroselyn, Ms. Howard. I’m Claire Wright, senior story analyst for theBelle City Digest. This is Dixie Wallows, our special interests interviewer.” Claire introduces herself, shaking each of their hands. I shake them both in return like we haven’t met.

Special interests interviewer my ass. I interview hotheads no one else wants to deal with.Why? Because no one else will, and I don’t care enough to argue about it.

“Please, have a seat.” I try to smile and point to the chairs in front of me. My stomach rolls uncomfortably while Jasper looks at me with longing eyes. It’s torture to turn my focus on Lilian. “I understand this will be your first interview as an engaged couple, congratulations.”

“Yes, thank you. I’m very excited,” Lilian says with a sweet smile. She sets her hand in his and I almost choke.

I’m not a violent person. But when her fingers flex around his, I can see myself ripping her off of him and killing her. With my bare hands.

“That’s wonderful, I do have a few non–romantic questions but they are quick,” I promise, looking down at my questions even though they are memorized. I had an hour to prepare but, an hour of memorizing for me is a cakewalk. “Will you be pursuing the position of district attorney in the future? Given the new public image you’ve created with your last few big wins, the people of Belle City are curious.”

“Actually, I’d like to stay out of prosecution for the time being. I’m hoping to move into more pro-bono work, and continue to work as a defense attorney helping the underrepresented members of our community.”

How lovely, she has a heart.

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