Page 23 of Moonlight and Mischief
“Truth,” Cedar says.
Jasper’s jaw ticks, and his gaze lingers on my face in a way that sours my stomach. “Do you have romantic feelings for Marigold?”
“What?” I squeak, whirling on him. “What is the matter with you?”
Cedar quirks half in his mouth in an apologetic smile. “I adore her, she’s like family. But nothing romantic.”
I want to sink into the dirt. My skin is flaming. The whole group shifts their weight uncomfortably. Gaze on the ground, I can’t bring myself to look at either Cedar or Jasper. His answer was casual enough, but everyone here knows what a loaded question that was. The back of my neck prickles.
“Cedar, it’s your turn,” Hazel prompts. I’m grateful we can move on, but my face is still burning.
Clearing his throat, Cedar says, “Slate, truth or dare?”
“Dare,” Slate says with a bold grin.
“Jump into the creek,” Cedar says.
“No problem.” Slate’s off, heading toward a less steep incline until he can reach the riverbed. I don’t bother watching him strip and jump in. Onyx whoops and jogs after him. Hazel stands on the edge, shouting encouragement and Jasper joins her, though he keeps glancing back at me.
Cedar studies me, his dimple showing as he grimaces. “Did my answer bother you?”
“No!” I say way too brightly. “Of course not!”
“Alright,” he says slowly, as if he doesn’t believe me.
“It’s fine,” I say, holding his gaze to support my lie. The longer I stand here, the louder my blood rushes through my ears, until I’m in danger of swaying on my feet. “I’m not feeling great. I’m gonna head home. Can you let them know?” I ask with a wave toward Hazel.
“Bye, Marigold.” Cedar dips his head, his eyes flicking away from me.
Sucking in a breath and slowly exhaling, I turn my feet south, trying to resist breaking into a sprint on my way to Jasper’s cabin.
Jasper. Did he feel some measure of this embarrassment when I said essentially the same thing about him? It seemed like a good thing at the time.
But when Cedar said it, I felt so small, so disregarded. I guess being told you’re like family is only good when the person wants to be close to you in that way.
Of course, Jasper didn’t have a years-long infatuation with me, but if I caused him even a fraction of humiliation, I owe him an apology.
5. Confessions and Cookies
JASPER
My feet skim the steps and only hit the porch once before I’m through the doorway of my cabin. Sensing her in her bedroom, I slow my breath and knock softly on the open door.
Marigold sits cross-legged on her neatly made bed, her fingers tugging at the braid in her hair, unraveling it. Her nails snag on a tangle and she lets out a growl. I ignore what that sound does to my body.
“Hey, hey, don’t take it out on your poor hair,” I tease, crossing the room. Her face lights up in that dazzling smile she wears like armor, though it’s looking dull at this moment like she can’t quitefake it.
Tentatively, I sit behind her and start to untangle the knot. “You don’t have to,” she protests, covering the snarl with her hand.
“Just sit and let me do this,” I say. Her hands drop to her ankles and her shoulders tense, but she obeys. Her hair is lustrous and I revel in running my fingers through it. Gently, I tug apart the braid until it loosens.
“Thanks,” she says hoarsely, almost a whisper.
“Did my question bother you?” I ask, my chest tight.
“It’s not that. I’m being ridiculous.”
“I love it when you’re ridiculous, but you don’t seem ridiculous right now, so what’s upsetting you?”
