Page 26 of Moonlight and Mischief
Chuckling, I go back to my cobb salad, loaded with smokey bacon, eggs, and sharp cheese. The only way a salad is acceptable. We are carnivores after all.
“So, are we not going to talk about your huge crush?” she asks pointedly. I choke on my bite and the lettuce sticks to my throat. It takes a few coughs to clear my airway.
“What do you mean?”
“Marigold,” she says, “as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been hung up on Cedar. Hearing what he said yesterday must have sucked.”
“Oh, yeah.” I take a drink, needing time to think. “Honestly, I think I was kinda over it. I was more upset with Jasper being pushy than what Cedar said.”
“Oh.” Her eyebrows rise incredulously.
Shrugging, I set my fork down. “It was a teenage infatuation. I’m not sure when it faded. I didn’t even really realize. But I guess I grew out of it.”
“So it’s nothing to do with the fact you keep going over to Jasper’s cabin every night?”
I almost spit out my drink. How did she know? My impulse is to deny it, but Hazel is too perceptive for that to work. “I can explain.”
“Oh, yeah?” she asks, a smug smile crossing her features. She loves having one-up on me, which is fair after all the times I teased her about Slate before they got together.
My fork scrapes my plate as I push a sliver of hard-boiled egg through the remaining lettuce.
“You know how I was frustrated staying with my grandma. It was getting worse.” She nods sympathetically. “I finally reached my breaking point, so I asked if I could stay in the second bedroom in Jasper’s cabin.”
“Why didn’t you come stay with us?” Hazel asks, not guilting me, but in a sweet way.
“You and Slate need your space. You’re still newly mated.”
“We would have loved to have you,” she argues.
Rubbing my eyes, I finally admit, “You guys are all over each other all the time. I can’t imagine how you are behind closed doors. I certainly don’t want to be in your guest room for several weeks. I love you, but I have my limits.”
Her cheeks flush and she bursts out laughing. “We’re not that bad!”
My stare turns deadpan. “I’m pretty sure he was feeling you up the other night around the campfire.”
“No!” she denies, though her blush tells me I’m not far from the truth. “You turned this around on me, but we were talking about you and Jasper.” So much for the conversation moving on. “You’re not over Cedar because Jasper is becoming a thing for you?”
“We’re roommates. Totally platonic,” I say, keeping my tone even.
Hazel scoffs. “I wonder if he sees it that way.”
“He does.” Scowling, I stab a huge piece of chicken and stuff it into my mouth to avoid answering whatever ridiculous question she comes up with next.
Her gaze connects with mine as she leans forward and drops her voice. “Marigold, remember, I know Jasper.” She pauses, suddenly serious. “He’s been denied the love he needs his entire life. And you are basically a fountain of encouragement and affection. If you’re not interested in him like that, then you need to be careful.”
Swallowing, I frown at her. “I’ve been keeping a normal distance. Not being touchy-feely, like we talked about.”
“It’s more than that. You guys are spending a lot of time alone together now. Even if you’re not all overeach other, having all that time to talk, I’m sure you guys are getting closer.” She rakes her nails through her hair. “If you’re not firm with your boundaries, I have no doubt he’ll fall head over heels for you.”
Shaking my head, I think about how comforting and sweet he’s been. “He might be my best friend. But that’s it.” Hazel’s mouth opens in mock horror. “Other than you! My other best friend. He’s been so kind and supportive. And respectful.”
“I know how great he is. But that doesn’t change the situation. I’m not worried you guys are mistreating each other. I’m worried you’re crossing lines you don’t want to cross,” she says.
“I think you’re overthinking this. It’s been months, and we’re clearly only friends. A few extra hours together aren’t going to change anything.”
“So you’re not going to rebound with him?” she asks.
“There’s nothing to rebound over!” I say, annoyance creeping in. With a breath, I let it go. “Okay, well what should I do? Because I’m trying to be a good friend. But if you worry he’s catching feelings, I’m not sure what to do. I’d rather not confront him about it. That would be mortifying, especially if you’re wrong.”
