Page 42 of Until Forever

Our server comes before he can respond and sits the check in front of us. I reach for it, but Jasper gives me a death stare.

“All right. All right. Don’t bite my head off.”

JJ laughs at that, which brings a chuckle from us as well. Jas exits the booth first, then JJ and I follow, walking around Jasper after he signals for us to lead the way to the register.

The hostess smiles at us, and I return the gesture while Jasper pays. JJ makes a face at me, so I stick my tongue out at him then tickle his neck. His little laugh fills the room, stealing the attention of those around us. When I look to my left, there’s an older biracial couple sitting arm and arm, watching us.

“You have a beautiful family,” the woman says while crossing her legs.

Suddenly my mouth is dry, and my fingers tingle. I check to see if Jasper heard that, but he didn’t, and it’s probably better that way. I stand here for a moment, knowing I should say something, thank her maybe, but words are lost to me.

“How old are you?” She leans toward JJ.

“I’m about to be eight in a few months,” he boasts.

“That’s a big deal. I bet your mommy and daddy have big plans for you,” she chimes.

“Ready?” Jasper faces us, glancing between the woman and JJ.

I nod, coaxing JJ toward the exit, and smile at her, mouthing an uncertain “thank you” along the way.

“Can we go to the zoo?” JJ asks then takes off running to the Silverado, waiting for Jasper to unlock it.

Jasper glances at me for the answer, and I sigh. Part of me wants to go home. I’m exhausted, and I didn’t exactly leave my house in tip-top condition.

“Come on. It’ll be fun,” Jasper pleads after reading my face. “I know you’re tired, but you have four whole days off, right? Let’s do it. Besides, we wouldn’t want to not live up to that lady’s expectations of us being the cutest family she’s ever seen.”

With wide eyes, I stare at him.

“Yeah, I heard that.” He gives me a crooked grin. “What do you say? It’ll make him happy.”

“Yes.” I exhale sharply. “We can go to the zoo.”

“Um,” JJ grunts with a little shimmy.

“Let’s drop Mommy’s car off at home first, and then we can head to the zoo,” Jas instructs.

We leave IHOP and head straight home, pulling back off immediately after I park in the driveway. We arrive at the zoo, the three of us making a game out of the trip. Spending several hours racing each other to the different exhibits, laughing, and having a genuinely good time. Jasper cheats, holding on to my wrist because I beat them to the last two enclosures.

I break free, reclaiming the lead through a fit of giggles. “Boom,” I exclaim while jumping around and pointing at them in rapid succession.

“Man. Not again,” JJ says playfully, throwing his arms in the air.

“Oh, we let you win.” Jasper places his hands on his hips to catch his breath.

“Don’t be a sore loser,” I tease and step in his face.

He catches me off guard when he grabs my waist and holds me close, watching my reaction go from a wide smile to bated breaths. His gaze falls to my lips and traces the outline of my mouth. The memory of our kiss the night of Wes’s party hits me in a wave, and I involuntarily lick my lips.

“Look, the chimpanzee has its baby on its back,” JJ cheers.

Thank you, JJ, I think as Jasper lets me go.

“Yeah, we see, buddy.” Jasper inches over to where JJ is near the glass.

I nervously swipe my hair behind my ear and stand next to them, working to ignore the glances Jasper sends my way. “All right, what’s next?” I say loudly.

“Lions,” JJ shouts.

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