Page 85 of The Deal with the Playboy

“I’m sure your daughter needs the money for college,” Jasper says. “Plus, I want to thank you for feeding my wife when she needed it.”

Angela’s eyes gloss over with tears. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “I have more money than I need.”

She comes around and hugs him while he stands there awkwardly. People pass us and stare at the scene. She lets him go and bags all the jewelry before giving it to me. Angela and I chat about life in general and I tell her to give Monica a hug for me, then Jasper and I disappear into the crowd.

I bump my shoulder against his arm. “You’re a good man.”

He stops and stares down at me. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you just changed someone’s life. I’m starting to think you have a heart under all that armor of yours.”

“I’m not a good person, I just try to do the right thing.”

“You’re not the person you show the world. To the world, you’re a charming playboy who only cares about himself, but you’re not.” We stop by a coffee vendor because the weather is a bit chilly and I can use a hot drink. “I suspect the only reason why you want your uncle’s business is because you want to get close to James, not because you care about the money. I thought you were a greedy, selfish bastard but you’re not.”

He pauses and leans down to stroke his thumb across my cheek. “You think you have me all figure out.”

I smile. “Maybe.”

“You’re right. I’m doing it because of my uncle. He’s the only person to make me feel accepted and wanted. He’s the only reason why I have the ambition and drive to be who I want to be.”

He sighs as I watch a few kids play tag. The clouds hover over the sun, making the sky darker.

“He taught me how to be a man, and showed me kindness even though the world around me was cold and cruel.” His eyes narrow on me. “I wish you could have met him. He was a wonderful man, just like my grandfather.” He looks at me with sad eyes, then we are quiet for a while.

“Did he ever interfere with your father’s abuse?”

He nods. “I stayed with him throughout the summers until it was time for me to return to boarding school. He taught me a lot about business. Every time I would get into trouble, he would make me write an essay. He was big on education and power, but he was a kind man.”

Hearing him speak about his uncle makes me realize I never had anyone to stand up for me when it comes to my mother. I always had to live by her unrealistic rules, and the pressure she put on me to marry someone rich. She never puts pressure on Sophia and Jimmy. Maybe because she knew how strong I was, because I experienced the trauma of losing my father at a young age. It sounds illogical, but it’s the only reason I can think of.

Jasper stops and leans against a rail, tucking his fingers into his pockets. The sweater he’s wearing hugs his torso, and he’s paired it with beige slacks. He crosses his Italian loafers over the other, standing out like a sore thumb in the crowd.

“What are you thinking about?”

I shake my head. “It’s silly.”

“Tell me. I want to know. I’m telling you things about me, so it’s fair that you open up to me.”

I grin.

“What?”

“When I first entered this marriage with you, I couldn’t get you to open up to me to save my life.”

“Well, things change.” He places his hands in mine. “We’re supposed to be friends, isn’t that what friends do?”

“Friends also let each other paint their nails and do their hair, will you let me do that?” I tease.

“No. Well…” The corners of his mouth curl up into a smile. “With the right amount of liquor, you can get me to do anything.”

I laugh so hard my stomach hurts, then I look across at the sunset. The crowds die down, just as the vendors start to pack up their equipment.

“I never had anyone in my corner to cheer me on as a child. It’s always been me and my mom, and my stepfather and half-siblings. My mother cut herself from her family, saying they are toxic.”

He assesses me, rubbing his beard. “Your mother is jealous of you.”

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