Page 44 of Discretion

“Yeah. Why not?”

“Seems like a mouthful when I need to call her.” He shifted, ever-so-subtly adjusting himself. Had that… HadImade him hard?

“Did you have any names you were considering?” I asked, still pondering that as I loved on this sweet little dog. She was too cute for words. And keeping my attention on her was safer than watching her owner.

“How about Pom-Pom?” Kai said.

“That has potential,” Jasper said, while I went over to the sink to wash my hands.

I shot him a look as if to say, “Really?”

“Why not?” he asked.

I lifted a shoulder, marveling at the way we could have an entire conversation with only a handful of words. Craig and I had never been that in sync, even after all the years we’d been a couple. In fact, it seemed like the longer we’d been together, the more disconnected we’d become.

While Kai played happily with Jasper’s new pet and suggested names for the puppy like Rosemary and Tuxedo, Jasper stood with his back against the counter, arms and legscrossed before him. He looked so relaxed, and part of me was tempted to muss his hair. Make him look as out of sorts as I felt every time I was in his presence. Every time I had to pretend I felt nothing for him.

Jasper glanced at his phone then said, “Dimitri’s team is on their way up.”

His words snapped me out of my daze. “Kai. Are you good here while I help Jasper?”

“I’m great!” he practically squealed.

I laughed. “Okay. Come get us if you need us.”

As Jasper and I headed for the front door, he said, “Thanks again for doing this.”

“Are you kidding? It was a dream come true. Getting to shop for art with an unlimited budget,” I sighed.

But it was more than that. It was the fact that Jasper had given me free rein. He hadn’t micromanaged or second-guessed me. He’d trusted me.

Though, now that the delivery crew was actually here, carrying the wrapped pieces to their designated homes, my nerves were bubbling up. What if Jasper hated them? I rolled my lips between my teeth, directing the crew where each piece was supposed to go.

As each one was unveiled, I watched Jasper’s reaction closely. When he saw the first piece, his eyes widened, and he leaned forward. He said nothing, following me to the next piece and the next. There were five pieces in total, and by the time he’d seen four of them, sweat was dripping down my back. I had no idea what he was thinking. Did he love them? Hate them?

He was so detail-oriented, and he put so much care into everything he did, that part of me was still surprised he’d wanted my help.

The last piece was one of my favorites. I held my breath, anxiously awaiting his reaction.

“Is that…” He stepped back and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “A dragonfly wing?”

I nodded. “Isn’t it beautiful? So delicate and sculptural. I can’t believe the level of detail the artist captured.”

He smiled. “My gran used to wear the most beautiful dragonfly brooch.”

I watched him. “I know. It was in the image of her on the website. And her portrait in the lobby.”

“I—” He turned to me. “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s right. She always told me that dragonflies symbolized transformation and new beginnings. But now it feels like…” He sniffed. “Like she’s saying hello.”

I smiled. “That’s lovely.”

“These are incredible. Thank you.” His expression was full of such intensity that it nearly stole my breath.

My body lit up at his praise, and the effect could’ve powered the entire building. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I love them.” But when he said the words, he was looking at me. It felt as if he was saying the words about me.

I dipped my head, unable to meet Jasper’s eyes. The moment felt both too intense and too delicate. As if one wrong word would ruin everything and send our fragile relationship over the edge.