Page 77 of The Edge Of Us

I looked down-and there they were.

Astrid ran to me instantly. "Mommy!"

I knelt, catching her in my arms, pressing kisses into her hair. "Hey, baby. You look so pretty."

Kyle followed with a grin. "Can we see the lipstick stuff?"

"Of course," I said gently, ushering them to the small product corner.

Allen trailed behind them, standing too close. Watching.

"So... this is where the magic happens," he said to Jasper, as if they were old friends.

Jasper gave a tight smile. "Sure is."

Allen bent down beside Astrid, helping her open a tester cap. "This one's pretty. Like you, princess."

I looked away.

Jasper didn't.

I felt the shift in the air when Allen lingered near me again, brushing a hand on Astrid's back, staying close even when he didn't need to.

"You really pulled it off," he said to me. "Corinne... I mean it. This brand-this whole thing-it's incredible."

"Thanks," I replied, voice flat.

"I remember when you first dreamed this up," he added. "In our first apartment. You were so excited you didn't sleep for two nights."

I turned to face him. "And then you watched it fall apart."

He had the nerve to look hurt.

Jasper noticed. He stayed silent, but he stepped in, handing Astrid a tiny Luxe Beauty tote bag. "You want to help your mommy hand these out to the models?"

She nodded excitedly, and I smiled at him-genuinely.

Allen's eyes narrowed.

"She really likes him," he said under his breath.

"She likes people who make her feel safe," I replied. "And loved."

The day went on, but Allen stayed. Watching. Lingering. Finding excuses to circle near me, to comment on lipstick colors, to remind me of shared memories that no longer felt sweet.

And through it all, Jasper remained steady-present. He didn't challenge Allen openly. He didn't need to.

He simply made sure that my attention returned to him.

When the cameras stopped flashing and the last models left, I leaned back against the wall, exhausted.

Jasper approached, holding a bottle of water.

"You did it," he said.

"So did you."

He leaned closer, brushing a hair from my cheek. "Ignore him. He's just a ghost."

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