Page 7 of Reclaimed Roots

"I know," he said. "I just hate what we had to do to get the money."

My fingers twitched, itching to grab my phone and pull upthe orchard's financial statements.Dad would've known exactly how to structure this, how to make the numbers dance.The ache of loss behind my ribs threatened to overwhelm me.

"We didn't have a choice," Jasper growled. "The old system was failing. One more dry season and we'd have lost half the southeast quadrant."

I bit my lip. The southeast quadrant—that was where the heritage trees were, the ones Jay's grandfather planted. Those trees were the heart of Ever Eden. No wonder Jasper pushed through such an expensive upgrade.

"Don't tell Mom," Elliot said. "She'll lose it."

Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. I recognized the movement. His stressed mannerisms hadn't changed. "She's going to find out eventually. Better it comes from you."

I pushed through the heavy door. The ancient hinges protested with a long creak that made both brothers snap their heads toward me. Jasper's eyes locked onto mine, and that cold detachment from earlier had shifted to a blazing intensity scorching across the space between us. The heat of his gaze made my skin buzz.

I hurried past them, weaving between clusters of black-clad mourners. The hallway felt endless, packed with too many sympathetic faces and outstretched hands wanting to pat my shoulder or pull me into suffocating hugs.Where is Mom? I couldn't handle one more 'sorry for your loss' right now.

"Natalie." Jasper's deep, commanding voice rang out behind me.

My steps faltered.Keep walking. Don't turn around. Don't let him see how much it still affects me when he says my name like that.

But my body wouldn't cooperate. It knew what it wanted, and it was done listening to my stupid brain. My muscles tensed, and I froze in place. The sound of his footsteps grew closer and closer until I could feel the heat radiating off him just inches away.

I spotted Mom standing near the stone fireplace. Liam hovered beside her while Emma and Jay flanked them like protective sentries.

The sight of my mother snapped me back to reality, and I hurried across the room, putting distance between me and Jasper's pursuing footsteps. Emma's face brightened at my approach. She opened her arms and engulfed me in a warm hug that smelled of cinnamon and fresh-baked apples. It reminded me of countless childhood afternoons spent perched on her kitchen counter, sneaking bits of cinnamoned apples while she pretended not to notice.

"Hi, sweet girl," she murmured against my hair. "We've missed you so much."

The lump in my throat swelled. Jay stepped forward next, wrapping me in strong arms that felt so much like Dad's that tears sprang to my eyes. His familiar Old Spice cologne mingled with engine grease and earth—the smell of safety, of home.

"Your father was one of the good ones." Jay's gruff voice rumbled against my temple.

Jasper had given up his pursuit, taking up a spot in thecorner of the room with a brooding Elliot and a grinning Chase. His eyes were still on me, though.

I let Liam put his arm around me, the fabric of his suit scratching against my cheek.So different from the soft, worn flannel that used to warm my skin on chilly nights.His scent was a blend of sandalwood and something musky. Expensive but somehow artificial. He smelled like the city.

"You holding up okay?" His voice held genuine concern as he squeezed my shoulder.

"I'm fine," I lied, plastering on another fake smile. I wondered how long I could keep this up before my face cracked.

His arm settled more firmly around me. The gesture was meant to comfort, but his touch felt like a straitjacket.

Jasper's gaze burned into me from across the room, setting my nerve endings crackling with awareness.Stop looking at him. Stop remembering how his calloused hands felt sliding under your shirt, how his lips tasted like apple cider and temptation.

"Would you like something to drink?" Liam asked.

I shook my head, pressing closer into his side, resisting the magnetic pull from Jasper's corner. Liam's heart beat steady and predictable under my ear—nothing like the wild thunder that used to pound through Jasper's chest when I'd curl against him.

What am I doing?The thought hit like a physical blow.I'm standing at my father's wake, comparing my current boyfriend to my ex.

A fresh wave of grief and guilt crashed over me. Myfingers dug into Liam's suit coat, seeking an anchor, but I was distracted by the rough texture and how wrong it felt against my skin.

"How's city life treating you both?" Emma's warm tone held genuine interest, but there was something else beneath it.

Liam launched into a long speech about our Chicago life. His hand cut through the air, sketching invisible blueprints of the luxury condo he'd already picked out for us. His description was polished and glossy, like he was delivering a sales pitch. An insane part of my brain was waiting for him to hand out brochures and produce a meticulously detailed PowerPoint.

"The building has amazing amenities—private gym, rooftop garden. And the location is perfect, just three blocks from Nat's office." He talked about my future like it was set in stone, each word another brick in a wall I never agreed to build. "We're thinking of moving in together this summer after our leases are up, aren't we, babe?"

My smile felt frozen, muscles straining to maintain the polite expression as Liam rambled about square footage and crown molding. My hand drifted to the hem of my black dress, worrying the soft fabric between thumb and forefinger. Emma's knowing gaze tracked the movement. She'd seen me do this a thousand times, usually right before I'd confessed to sneaking in through the second-story window to sleep in Jasper's bed.

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