Page 73 of The Edge Of Us

And Jasper.

Just a few feet away, hands in his pockets, looking at me like I was something worth showing up for.

The ache in my chest didn't hurt anymore.

Maybe it was healing.

Maybe it was hope.

Either way, it was mine.

And for today, that was more than enough.

Chapter 42

Corine

The soft buzz of laughter still lingered in the backyard, the air sweet with vanilla cake and faint hints of roses from my mother’s perfume. Astrid was asleep in her stroller now, head tilted slightly, cheeks smudged with frosting. Kyle was inside with Tate and Sylvia, probably raiding the goodie bags.

I sat on the porch steps, toes pressing into the grass below, the fabric of my dress wrinkling beneath me. My mind wandered, sifting through everything like sand—light, heavy, and unrelenting.

"You look like you need a rescue," Jasper said, his voice pulling me out gently.

I looked up, shielding my eyes from the sinking sun. He was holding two glasses of lemonade. One already half gone.

"Only if you're offering," I replied, sliding over so he could sit beside me.

He handed me the drink. "Always."

For a few seconds, we just sat there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the party wind down. The fairy lights shimmered above us, little orbs of gold swaying gently in the breeze.

"Thank you for coming," I said softly.

He glanced at me. "You thought I wouldn’t."

I sighed. "Honestly? I didn’t know. You said you were busy."

"I lied," he said, sipping his lemonade with a small smile. "Didn’t want to seem too eager."

"You are terrible at playing it cool."

"And you’re terrible at pretending you’re okay."

I winced. That one hit.

He nudged me gently. "You don’t have to be. Not with me."

I turned toward him, searching his face. There was nothing but sincerity there. No expectations. Just warmth.

"I’m trying," I whispered. "Some days I wake up and feel like I can breathe again. And then others—"

"It crashes down. I know."

My hand trembled slightly as I set the lemonade aside. "It still hurts. Not the same way, but... Allen was my whole life. We built everything together. The family. The plans. The gallery. I watched it all collapse."

"And you stood back up. That’s the part he didn’t expect."

"I don’t even know if I’m standing. Half the time, I’m just... floating."

---