Page 41 of Discretion

“Does that mean I get to stay up past my bedtime? Can I stay up until midnight?” He was practically buzzing.

“I don’t know. And no.” I laughed. “Is your bed made?” I asked again.

Since we were working on establishing routines, we had a rule that it had to be made before bedtime. I didn’t care if he made it in the morning before pre-K or as part of his evening chores. I just wanted him to practice making his bed every day. Eventually, I’d work on making it a morning chore. But for now, I was happy if it was done.

“No,” he said, followed by giggles. “Will you come help me?”

“Kai, bud, we talked about this. In the evening, you’re responsible for your bed, putting away your clean laundry, and one ‘notice and do.’”

“I know. I just…” Was he grunting? “Can you come here for a sec?”

“Sure.” I set down my purse and headed back down the hall to his room. “What’s up?”

He stood in front of his bed, beaming. The quilt was pulled up, the pillows were fluffed and in the right places. And he looked so cute and proud.

“Tricked you!” He grinned.

“You sure did.” I smiled and ruffled his copper curls, so like my own, completely okay with this turn of events. “Good job.”

“Thanks, Mummy. I used Jasper’s tricks.”

I wondered what else I could get Jasper to “trick” Kai into doing. Eating more vegetables? Brushing his teeth for the whole two minutes without being asked?

“Ready?” Kai asked, placing his hand in mine.

“Yep,” I exhaled.

I couldn’t wait to see the new art in Jasper’s penthouse. I was both anxious and excited for him to see my selections. I’d put a lot of effort into choosing art that spoke to me for him, and I hoped he’d love them.

We rode the private elevator up to Jasper’s floor. I stared at my reflection in the mirrored doors. I’d changed out of my work clothes and into a pair of linen shorts, a matching tank with a square neckline, and slide-on sandals. Nothing too fancy. I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard.

Right. So that’s why you refreshed your hair and makeup?

I rolled my eyes at myself in the mirror. My makeup was minimal, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that I’d gone to any additional effort with my appearance because I knew I’d be spending time with Jasper.

It annoyed me that I didn’t just say yes to going out with Dimitri when he’d asked. It annoyed me that I couldn’t look at another man without comparing him to Jasper. It annoyed me that…

The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. I took a deep, steadying breath.Get it together.

I was tired, that was all. It had been a busy week, and I’d spent more nights than I cared to admit thinking about Jasper and whether I should accept the temporary promotion.

I’d be crazy not to; Zara had said as much. And I’d told myself that I’d never let a man dictate my choices, but Jasper was definitely a big factor in my decision. There was a difference between working in the same office as him and workingcloselywith him.

We’d gotten along fine when we’d gone art shopping, which was reassuring. Well, at least when he hadn’t been openly hostile toward Dimitri. When Jasper hadn’t cornered me and admitted he was jealous.

Apart from that, it had gone well. When Jasper and I were alone, things had been cordial, friendly even. But that was one interaction on one day. Not months of conversations and decisions and…

My phone buzzed; I had a new text message from Alexis.She’d been sending me questions about houses, but we’d also talked about her favorite places around LA and the challenges of being a working mom. It was nice, and it felt like I’d made my first new friend in LA.

Kai skipped down the hall to Jasper’s door.

“Kai,” I whispered.

“Hm?” he asked, turning back.

“What kind of behavior are you going to be on today at Jasper’s?”

He straightened. “Best behavior.”