Page 21 of Until Forever

“No.” I shake my head again while fisting my hands. “Stay over there.”

He sighs but does as I ask.

“You can’t show up and disrupt my life.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do. I only want to prove to you that I know I made a mistake and that I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry,” I repeat and nod in short jerkish movements.

“And that I want to make it right—if you’ll have me.”

“I am not the same girl.”

“I know that and don’t expect you to be.”

“So much about my life has changed. I’m a mom with a career, and while I know you don’t see it this way, I don’t know you. Not anymore. I don’t know where you’ve been or what you’ve been up to.”

“I haven’t been up to anything. I told you. I’m better. I haven’t been in trouble since I left. Well—” He tips his chin with a crooked grin. “That’s a lie. I got in trouble a couple of times in the beginning, but I figured it out. I did everything we talked about. I got my GED and took up IT. I make good money. I’ve traveled, I havefriends.”He chuckles. “And now I’m here.”

“To see your dad,” I remind him.

“You know I couldn’t give two fucks about my father. And I know that probably sounds harsh, but the man never cared for me. You know that more than anyone. I got the call that he was in the hospital, but I could have stayed home because we don’t have that kind of relationship. We haven’t even spoken since I left. I came because I was hoping to see you, talk to you, show you I’m sorry. I was praying you’d see that.” Jasper inches a little closer and holds his palm out for me to put my hand in his.

“If you think I’ve been sitting around, waiting for you to come back, you’re wrong. You are absolutely wrong,” I say to convince myself more than I am him.

“I didn’t think you were.”

“I am over you. I really am.” My voice cracks.

He closes the gap between us, and even though I want to back away, I can’t. My feet won’t move, and every nerve in my body is suddenly aware of his presence. My skin is hot despite the cool breeze, and my breaths fall to a slow and obvious drag.

“Eh,” he sounds out with a tilt of his head. “I don’t believe that. You wouldn’t be as mad as you are if you were.” Jas strokes my cheek, and my eyes close of their own accord.

Sucking in a breath, I push off his chest, needing to put distance between us. “Believe what you want, but it’s the truth. I am not still in l—”

He kisses me, stealing my words before I can finish forming them. And his touch is hot—scorching—and without thinking, my arms are around his neck, and I’m melting into his embrace. It’s familiar, comforting, anddangerous.

“Jas,” I whisper against his lips, then a soft moan escapes me when he slides a hand to the small of my back.

“Don’t…don’t stop me,” he pleads and deepens our kiss, his tongue snaking around mine, stealing the last bit of air I have in my lungs.

“Mm,” I mutter.

“I’m going to make it up to you.”

“S-stop.” I push him away, this time succeeding. “I can’t—this is too much, too soon.”

“Baby.” There’s a tremble in his tone and defeat in his eyes.

“I have to go.”

I take off without another word, and I don’t stop until I reach my SUV. The door slams once I’m behind the wheel, the vehicle jerking from how fast I press the gas. Tears prick my eyes as a wave of emotions takes over me. I wipe them away and try the entire ride to Harmony’s parents’ house to collect myself before picking up my son—ourson.

CHAPTER SIX

JASPER

I searchedfor her the moment I stepped foot into this hospital. She isn’t here, or at least I haven’t seen her. Latoya left so abruptly the other night, and all I know is I need to see her.

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