Before I even know what’s happening, I head out the door. Without a coat, I cross the street, and make my way to the alley entrance of Sugar Rush.
One kiss.
That’s all I need.
One little kiss to tide me over until later tonight.
When we’ll be alone, and I can show her with my body how I’m falling for her.
And maybe soon, have the balls to actually be able to tell her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lyndee
“So, are you excited about this weekend?” Dana asks, sitting at the table across from me.
I offer a quick grin, thinking about the getaway Jasper has planned for us. We’re leaving in two days, after I close the bakery and his evening chef comes in for the night. He surprised me with this trip on Sunday, after making sure my brother would be okay by himself for the night. I know he will be, but I can’t help but feel guilty. Dustin has been home by himself several times since I started seeing Jasper, but I’m usually just across town. Not an hour away.
“I am.” I’m beaming from ear to ear, starting to get really excited about the bed and breakfast he booked for us. “And you two have plans Saturday night, right?”
Dustin and Dana have been spending a lot of time together. She comes over a few evenings a week and watches movies with him but has yet to spend the night. I’d be okay with it but am not really sure how to tell them that. I mean, I want him to have friends and is free to date if he wants. The fact he picked Dana, who is super sweet and encouraging for him, is the icing on the proverbial cake.
“We do. He’s insisting on making me dinner. I hope that’s okay,” she says, taking a sip of her tea.
“Of course it is. It’s his place as much as it is mine. You’re welcome anytime,” I reassure her, watching as she smiles the moment my brother comes through the door.
It’s an unusually warm late January day, so Dustin insisted on walking the deposit down the block to get outside for a few minutes.
Using his walker, he heads our way, a tight look on his face. “Hey.”
“Hi,” Dana blurts out, jumping up and giving him a kiss on the cheek. I watch as the tension ebbs from his face, but only a little.
“Something wrong?” I ask, warming my hands on my own mug of tea.
“Oh, uh…I don’t know,” he says uncomfortably, glancing around. It’s nearing our two o’clock closing time, and even though we’re usually busy up until we close, it’s been unusually quiet today.
Dustin sits down and sets a newspaper on the table. There’s a slight shake to his hand as he pushes it my way. “I was at the bank and the ladies behind the counter were reading something in the paper. When they turned to help me, one gave me a super guilty look and shoved the paper behind her back. It gave me a weird feeling, so I stopped at the corner market and grabbed one.”
I glance down, unsure what I’m seeing. The front-page article is about a food drive at the local high school, but something tells me that’s not why he purchased a copy. I flip through the pages until I hit page five, and something jumps out at me. It’s my name.
I scan the article, unsure what I’m reading. The words are…wrong. So wrong, I have to stop and read it again. The second time doesn’t help.
I don’t understand what’s going on here.
“What is this?” I whisper, my throat thick with emotion.
Dustin gives me a look of pity. “It appears to be a letter to the editor.”
“It has Jasper’s name on the bottom.” He doesn’t have to confirm my statement because it’s right there, in black and white. “Jasper wrote this?” I ask, my eyes clouded with unshed tears.
“It would appear so,” Dustin replies slowly.
“Why?” I mutter, the question barely audible.
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m not sure. You’re going to have to ask him that.”
I reread the article for a third time, trying to wrap my head around what is going on. Why would he write these horrible lies? Slept with a health inspector? Was fired? Unsanitary kitchen? What in the hell?
I jump up, my chair clattering to the floor behind me, but I don’t step to pick it up. “Listen, it’s almost two. Why don’t you two head out and enjoy the afternoon,” I suggest, moving behind the counter and scrubbing at the already-clean space.
“I think I’m going to stay,” Dustin says to Dana, standing up and shuffling to where I stand.
“No,” I insist, tossing the cloth on the countertop. “Really, I think I want to be alone for a little while. You two go and enjoy this nice day. Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to drop again, so you might as well take advantage of it, right?” I ask, giving them a big, fake smile.
He sighs. “I don’t like it.”
“Please, Dust. I need to be alone right now.” I blink several times, trying to keep the tears at bay. I refuse to let them fall right now. Not in front of my brother and Dana.
“Okay, but you’ll call us if you need us?”
I nod and give him a hug. “I will, promise. I’m going to prep tomorrow’s dough, and maybe try out that new cookie recipe I’ve been working on. You two go. I’ll see you later tonight. Or not. Go out and have fun. Enjoy your time together,” I say, practically pushing them out the door.
“We’ll see you later,” he insists, waiting for Dana to step out first before he follows using his walker.
Once he’s down the sidewalk, I close and lock the door, only to stop and stare at the building across the street. I’m so conflicted, so confused about what is happening. One minute he’s inviting me to a weekend getaway, and now he’s printing lies about me in the local paper? For what?
My mind swims with questions and no answers, but that’s not what hurts the most. That’s my heart. The ache has become so intense, it’s hard to breathe.
I flip off the lights and head to the kitchen, to the one place where everything seems right. My heart hammers in my chest as I add ingredients into the mixer, preparing my first batch of fresh banana bread for tomorrow. Flipping the lever, the machine starts to do its thing, but I don’t see it.
I can’t.
The tears start to fall.
I close my eyes, the pain of betrayal like an ice pick to the chest.
What am I going to do?
Why did he do this?
And why does the thought of losing him forever hurt more than the potential damage to my reputation?
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jasper
“Order up!” I bellow, pushing the plates toward my assistant. It’s just after seven, and we’re still hopping. The dining room is packed, even for a Thursday night. Usually, I’d have the evening off and would be with Lyndee, but since Ross is working for me Saturday, I’m taking tonight for him.
“Uh, Jasper, a word, please?” Jameson announces, approaching the grill.
“Not now. I’m busy,” I reply, throwing three more patties on the grill for the next order. “Where are the fries? We’re almost out of fresh cut fries!”
“Now.”
There’s something in his tone, in that one word. I glance up and find his angry eyes glaring at me.