the pages and flipped through them, then started laughing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to end things there. I wanted you to read through the scene. I must have entered the wrong page numbers when I printed everything out.”
“I’m not sure if I believe you,” she fake grumbled, then grinned at him. “They were great. I like him and I like her. Probably because she sounds a lot like me.”
“She’s based on you. Sort of. Parts of you. How you protect your clients. I like that part, how you’re always there for them. So it reads okay?”
“It’s way better than okay. You’ve always known Vidar but now it feels like you know her, too.”
“Thanks. That’s a relief.” He sank back into the chair. “You’ve been great, Renee. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”
“I’m happy to help. It’s interesting watching your process. I have learned that there is no way I could write a book. It’s too intense. When you get into a scene, that’s all that exists for you. I like my life a little more balanced.”
“I do what I have to do. Which you said last night. Again, I’m sorry I got lost in what I was doing.”
“It wasn’t a problem. I had a quiet evening at home.”
Which was absolutely the wrong thing to say, she thought, as she remembered the shock of finding out about Turner becoming a father.
Maybe it was exhaustion or hormones or just bad luck, but whatever the reason, Renee was horrified to realize her eyes were filling with tears. One second she was fine and the next she was sniffing and blinking and reaching for a tissue.
“Hey,” Jasper said, coming to his feet. “What’s wrong? If you’re mad about yesterday, you have every right to be.”
“It’s not that,” she said, struggling for control. But the more she tried not to cry, the more she actually did cry, which was embarrassing and so not her.
She half expected Jasper to bolt, but instead he circled around her desk, drew her to her feet and held her.
“Whatever it is, we can fix it together.”
A wonderful sentiment, but not at all true. In fact the thought of her explaining and him helping had her laughing through her tears.
“What?” he asked, stepping back enough to stare into her eyes. “I’m lost here.”
“Yes, you are.” She sniffed. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, no one did.”
He took the tissue from her and gently dried her cheeks. “Then tell me what has you so sad.”
“I’m not sad—not really.” She drew in a breath. “I used to go out with this guy. Turner. Back in college.”
“So not the married guy?”
“No. Turner and I were engaged. We were happy and planning our lives together and—” She hesitated, not sure what to say about how things had ended. No, not ended. How Turner had dumped her, breaking her heart into a thousand pieces.
“He ended things and it was hard. I’m not still in love with him or anything, but it took me a while to get over him and last night I accidentally stumbled on a video.” She squared her shoulders because she was strong and capable and she would be fine. “He and his wife had a gender reveal party. They’re having a girl.” The tears returned. “Turner wanted a girl first. He talked about it a lot. I’m glad he’s getting that now. I really don’t care. It’s not like I want him back or anything, it was just unexpected.”
“Sure it was.” Jasper pulled her close again, then kissed her before brushing away her tears with his thumbs. “Turner was always a jerk, but you’re the kind of woman who overlooks that.”
She managed a slight laugh. “Thank you.”
“He’s got to be sorry he let you go.”
“I doubt that.”
“You’re wrong. I’m a guy and I know about these things. He wonders about you.”
She knew he was mistaken, but the words were nice to hear. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her again, lingering this time. “So, I was thinking, we need a do-over. Why don’t you come up to the house after work? Koda will be on his best behavior and I’ll cook and maybe you could spend the night.”
She had no idea if he’d had those plans in mind when he’d first arrived or if they were in reaction to her story. She told herself it really didn’t matter—either way, Jasper was a good guy and she wanted to be with him.