the kitchen, beer in hand. He sank into one of the oversize chairs and glanced at Garrick.
“Close on the house yet?”
“In ten days.”
“Let me know if you need help moving.”
“Me, too,” Jasper added.
“I’m good. The place I’ve been staying is furnished, so I only have a few boxes of personal things. I’ll live on a futon for a few weeks, then figure out what I need.”
Cade grinned. “A futon? You’re such a guy. Come on, man. Grow a pair and buy a big-boy bed.”
“In time, in time.”
Cade shook his head. “You losers. You both need a woman in your life.”
“We’re not going to share,” Jasper said mildly.
“Fine. You each need a woman in your life.” Cade sipped his beer. “Being friends with a writer is a pain in the ass.”
“You love being on the fringes of my fame.”
“Fame?” Garrick chuckled. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Jasper wanted to continue the banter, but he was too concerned about his story. “So,” he began, then cleared his throat. “I have some pages I’d like you to read. For the new book.”
He told them about the plot—as far as he knew it—and explained that Vidar would be finding a love interest as Jasper wrapped up the series.
“That’s new,” Cade said, studying him. “You don’t put women in your books.”
“Not unless they’re being killed,” Garrick added. “Or they’re a one-night stand for Vidar. Even in bars and stuff, the walk-ons are nearly always men.”
“They’re not,” Jasper protested before wondering if it was true. Given the trouble he was having writing Mandy, it made sense that he’d avoid the whole “female” thing. Write what you know and all that. Which said what about him? That he was so uncomfortable with half the species that he avoided them, even in his books? Was that what he wanted with his life or who he was? He tried to tell himself he’d had a relationship with Wynn, only it hadn’t been much more than someone to have sex with. And how well did he know Renee? So far he liked her a lot, but it had only been the one night.
“Jasper?” Cade’s voice was soft. “You okay?”
“What? I’m fine.”
Both his friends were watching him with studied concern.
“I’m fine,” he repeated. “I’m not having a flashback or anything. I was just thinking.” Damn—the problem was worse than he thought.
He pointed at the pages in the center of the coffee table. “That’s them. Make notes if you want or just set them on fire. Either way, I’d like to know what you really think. No holding back. Being nice isn’t going to be doing me any favors.”
With that, he rose and called to Koda. “We’ll be outside. Let me know when you’re done.”
With that, he walked out of the family room, through the kitchen and toward the back door. Koda followed, his nails clicking on the hardwood floors. Once they were clear of the house, Jasper found a good-sized stick and threw it as hard as he could. Koda raced after it, returning it a few seconds later. He politely dropped it at Jasper’s feet for him to throw again.
While he didn’t know exactly what his friends were going to say, he was pretty sure there wasn’t going to be any praise for what he’d written. He simply didn’t understand Mandy enough to write about her. He couldn’t get in her head or imagine her dialogue. She was as much a mystery to him as the moon.
He liked that she was a wedding planner and, based on what he’d learned from Renee, he’d been able to figure out where Mandy worked, but he needed more details. What did a wedding planner talk about with her clients? What was the happy couple interested in and where did his serial killer make his appearance?
After throwing the stick a few more times, Jasper set off with Koda at his heels. They did a quick circuit in the forest. As always the combination of movement, nature and quiet did its thing and his mind calmed.
Obviously he was going to have to follow Renee through one of her weddings. Go to meetings, watch the decision-making process, meet with the bride and groom. That would clarify the work aspect of things. He would also have to observe women more closely. He needed to figure out how they talked. Maybe he could record some conversations to get the right word usage and cadence.
He and Koda headed back to the house. Cade and Garrick were sitting on