Page 15 of Until Forever

A woman who’s about four inches taller than my five-foot-six frame approaches us. I recognize her immediately from her visits to the hospital to see Dr. Ross.

“Hey, Latoya.” Cinder hugs me. “Sebastian is around here somewhere.”

We search the room, both pointing as we catch sight of him.

“Let’s go get a drink.” Harmony coaxes me over to where they keep the coolers. Along the way, she continues to introduce me to people.

So far, I’ve met most of her family. Her cousins July, June, April, Ashlyn. I’ve met Bax plenty of times, but tonight I see Cobi, Talon, Jax, and a few others. I look toward the grill, spotting Harmony’s husband, Harlen, standing with other guests.

After we grab a couple of beers, she shows me around then eventually leads me back to where we were originally. There are more people here than before, men and women alike. But when they move to allow me and Harmony to get around them, I freeze.

“Jasper,” I whisper, nearly losing my grip on the beer.

It takes him a second to notice me. He stands, and I shuffle backward. Harmony’s directly behind me, keeping me from moving any further. I glance over my shoulder at her, my eyes wide with confusion.

“What is he doing here?”

Before she can respond, Harlen rushes up behind her, wrapping her in his arms and planting a kiss on her cheek. She squeals and spins to take his mouth with hers.

“Hey, Toya.” Harlen grins while never breaking their embrace.

“What’s up, Harlen,” I say lazily, my mood thrown off by the presence of my ex.

He motions for us to have a seat, and we do. I squeeze between Harmony and July, trying hard not to glance over at Jasper. It doesn’t help, though. I can see him watching through my peripheral. His eyes are burning into me, heating me from the inside out. Licking my lips, I scoot a bit to the right, behind a guy who is standing a few feet in front of him, blocking his view.

For a brief moment, I feel like I can relax, knowing that his eyes are no longer on me. It’s all of ten seconds until the man moves. Jasper stares at me, his gaze feeling intimate.

I didn’t get a good view of him yesterday; I was too busy hightailing in any direction he wasn’t in. But now, with absolutely nowhere to go, I really take him in. He’s changed a lot over the years, looking nothing like the boy I knew. Except for his eyes, I can never get those out of my head—the familiar baby blues then never failed to make me melt.

He’s bigger than he used to be, like he spends hours in the gym. And the dark-blue t-shirt stretches over his muscles, the color making his tanned skin pop. I read the words printed on the front to avoid meeting his gaze.Tennessee Bornis inked into the fabric in a cool font.

When I finally glance up, he shifts in his seat and brings his beer to his lips. I follow the roll of his Adam’s apple as he swallows and involuntarily mimics the motion. All of a sudden, I’m hot and have to fan myself to calm my nerves.

“Yo,” someone yells across the room, and we all turn to see who it is. “Say it ain’t so. Jasper?” Bax exclaims as he approaches our section.

Jas laughs, and I peek at him again. He’s standing now, a big grin on his handsome face. They move to meet somewhere in the middle, pulling each other into a manly hug. It takes me a bit to break my eyes away, and when I do, I notice July watching me. I smile to play it off and take a large sip of my drink.

A moment later, I catch a glimpse of Bax and Jas walking toward the back with Harlen and the others. They don’t get very far before Jas sneaks a peek at me. The gaze lingers as I meet his stare over the amber bottle. And then he disappears through the exit.

“That was intense,” July blurts while reaching around Harmony to tap my knee.

“That—was nothing,” I stutter.

She smirks. “Didn’t look likenothing. What’s the story there?”

Harmony darts her gaze between us and sits back with her arms across her chest, her brows lifted as if to say:well?Instead of answering right away, I down the rest of my beer.

“There’s no story,” I contest after a beat.

Harmony sucks her teeth and playfully slaps my thigh. “Lies. They dated in high school,” she says to July.

“Ooo. Sweethearts?” Her tone is questioning, so I shake my head. “Star-crossed lovers then?” She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

“More like…ill-fated,” I admit.

By now, the only people left in our section are the girls. I hadn’t noticed it at first, not until they all stare at me.

“What’s ill-fated?” a girl asks, her blonde hair bouncing as she flops down on the old sofa across from me.

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