Page 15 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

I groan. So much is happening right now that it almost feels like I am drowning. With work, Lily not having a babysitter, the note, and Elena showing up on my doorstep, it feels like a tornado has run through my life. I just need a breather, if only for a moment or two.

I rummage through the drawers and find the card. It is an average-looking card with nothing fancy about it. I look at the name of the company printed on the back, one of those lesser-known companies that probably mass produces generic cards for people to use. This card has no specificity for the occasion, allowing it to be used for any reason.

I toss it on my desk, and instead of sitting down, I lean against it to take a breath. I bury my face in my hand.

Suddenly, a knock raps at my door. I look up to find Elena in the doorway, slowly opening the door. Of course, she is cautious. Our last argument would make anyone cautious around me. “What—” I begin, my tone short and frank. I stop myself and try to reel back my frustration. It really isn’t her fault all of this happening at once. She has no responsibility for my biggest client ghosting me. I need to focus my frustration elsewhere, rather than all on her, something I must have done in the past, now that I look back and consider the things she pointed out. “Sorry. Um. Is there something I can help you with?” My voice sounds less like an angry lion and more welcoming now. It still needs work, but at least I am trying.

“So, I know that there’s a lot on your plate, and Josie mentioned you were looking for a babysitter. I don’t mind watching Lily when you need me to. No charge, of course.”

I shake my head. “I can’t do that,” I say, more in response to the no charge comment than her watching Lily. I do need some help, at least until I get this client signed and I find another sitter for my daughter.

“Oh.” She looks down at her feet. “I just thought I’d offer since you’ve helped me out.”

My eyes widen as I realize she thinks I am rejecting her offer to watch Lily. “Oh, no. I mean that I want to pay you.”

She meets my gaze, her hazel eyes bright. Her eyes were one of the things I noticed about her first. They are unique and beautiful. So bright, and yet, heavy with sadness. “You don’t have to. I’m staying with Josie, and you both feed me. I feel like this is the least I can do.”

I shake my head, pushing off my desk. “The situation with Josie is between you and her. As for the food, don’t worry about that. Meals are part of the deal when I hire a babysitter anyways. Plus, you need money for gas when and if you need to pick up Lily, or if you take her to the park or something.”

“Really?” She takes a few steps towards me and grabs one of my hands. “Thanks so much. I really do mean it, Jasper. This will help me out so much.”

“You didn’t even ask how much I would be paying you,” I say, mostly so I don’t end up smiling. For some reason, her relief lightened my mood.

“I don’t care. Anything really helps.” She hugs me, taking me by surprise.

“Whoa.”

She steps back, holding me at arms’ length. “Sorry. It’s just, it’s been difficult lately, and I really needed good news. Thanks, Jasper.” She releases me and holds out her hand. “So…to new beginnings?”

I scratch the stubble on my chin and peer down at her hand. There is no reason not to start over, or at least try. I grab her hand, mine encompassing hers. “Sure.” I hold back a small smile. I don’t want her seeing me smile, I still didn’t completely know how I feel about her, but my skepticism for her isn’t as profound as it was.

I notice the stray hair in her face, and my free hand twitches to tuck it behind her ear. I press down this urge and release her hand, as if her skin burns mine. She steps back, disappointment on her face. I didn’t mean to seem rude. This urge just came on quickly, without any warning. It’s the same urge that I felt in high school and had tried to push down.

I wipe my hands on my pants, my palms feeling clammy. “I have some work to do, so…” I return to my desk.

“Oh yeah. Do you want me to just bring you a plate later on?”

I nod. “That would be great. Thank you.”

“All right.” She turns on her heels to leave but pauses. She looks back at me and opens her mouth to speak, then shakes her head. “Never mind. I’ll bring your food later. Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

She shuts the door behind her, and I look down at my hands. I’d been fidgeting with a pen unconsciously. I drop it and decide to focus on my work. There is a lot I have to do to ensure that this client picks us.

Chapter Nine

Elena

Itfeelslikeaweight has lifted from my chest. Jasper, although still wearing the same stoic expression, seemed to be changing his mind about me. Josie had said that Jasper was very businesslike, different than when I’d seen him last in college.

The image of him close to me during our argument appears in my mind, and my breath catches in my throat. He had been so close; I could smell him. He smelled nice, too. This memory triggered another I had nearly forgotten. It had been overshadowed by so many arguments between Jasper and me. It had been the beginning of my freshman year in high school. For some reason, Josie and I were hanging out in his room, Josie on his bed, reading one of her magazines, while I sat on the floor, picking up one of his comic books. He was in the chair at his desk, his focus on whatever computer game he was obsessed over at the time. I could never keep track.

Josie announced she needed to use the restroom and hopped off the bed. I took her spot, my legs still hanging over the side and the comic book in my hands. “What’s this about?” I asked Jasper. I didn’t hang out with him often, just the two of us, so I wanted to fill in the silence.

He removed one headphone and looked over his shoulder. “What did you say?”

I held up his comic book. “Is this good?”

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