Page 15 of Reclaimed Roots

There was no snark there, no hidden barb. But the impersonal politeness stung worse than any insult.

I stepped forward, nerves replaced with bubbling frustration. "Jasper, can we just—can we talk? Like really talk?"

He straightened slowly, his expression guarded. "About what?"

"About..." I waved a hand, encompassing the orchard, the years between us, the yawning chasm of all we'd left unsaid. "About everything. How we left things. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry, I was just?—"

"Natalie. It's fine. It was a long time ago. We were kids."

But it wasn't fine, I could see it in the tension of his jaw, the shadow in his eyes. The wounds I had inflicted were still there, still raw.

"I never meant to hurt you." My whispered words floated between us, and my vision blurred. "I never wanted that."

Something flickered in his expression, a crack in the armor. "I know. But you did."

Three words, simple and devastating.But you did.

They landed like a physical blow, nearly knocking me back a step. Because he was right. I hurt him deeply. Apologies couldn't change that.

"I'm sorry." The words were woefully inadequate, but what else was there to say? "So, you and Sammy, huh?"

Jasper's harsh laugh cut through the air. "What? You didn't think you're still the only person I've fucked, did you?"

I winced at the crude language, so at odds with the gentle boy I once knew. But then, I wasn't the girl I once was either.

I groped for something to say, suddenly desperate to escape this conversation, this suffocating tension. "I—I should go."

I turned to leave, an uncomfortable mix of shame and guilt making my skin tingle. But Jasper's voice stopped me. "Natalie, wait."

I glanced back, worried he was ready to sling another verbal weapon. But he ran a hand through his hair. My heart clenched. I could still read his body language like an open book.

"Look," he said, "I appreciate the apology. And I'm sorry too. For acting like a dick. For how I reacted at the funeral. I was caught off guard, seeing you again. It opened a lot of old wounds."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He took a breath, like he was steeling himself for something.

"I don't know how to do this. How to be around you, talk to you like nothing happened. Like we're just old friends catching up."

"I don't either," I admitted. "But I'd like to try. If... if you're willing."

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching mine. "I'll try," he said at last. "But I need some time, Natalie. Time to adjust to you being back, to figure out how I feel about everything."

It wasn't forgiveness, but it was a start. It was more than I expected and more than I deserved. I'd take his tentative olive branch and hold it close.

"Okay." I nodded half a dozen times until I was sure Ilooked like the bobble head bouncing on the dash of his truck. "Of course I can give you time. As much as you need."

"Thank you," he said quietly. There was relief in his eyes and something warmer, more familiar. A glimpse of the twelve-year-old boy who used to look at me like I hung the moon.

I offered a wobbly smile. "I should probably get back. Mom's waiting."

He nodded, stepping back. "Yeah, I've got to get this stuff unloaded. I'll see you around, I guess."

"Sure. See you around," I echoed.

I turned and walked away, retracing my steps through the town. But this time, my heart felt lighter. I had blown my chances with Jasper, but maybe I could lay the ghost of our relationship to rest before I went back to the city. It was the right thing to do. The healthy thing to do. Hoping for anything else would be madness. My career, my future, and my life were in Chicago. I had left Sable Point behind a long time ago.

Still, as I made my way back to Main Street, I felt a rush of affection for the place that I hadn't felt for years. I thought of Dad, of the pride he always had in this town. Of the legacy he left behind. I wanted to honor that. I couldn't stay here, but I should stick around long enough to make sure his clients were in safe hands. Even if it meant I had to stay a little longer than I planned.

Chapter Eight

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