Page 92 of Discretion

“It’s stunning,” she said, running her fingers along the edge of the box. Nestled on the velvet was a delicate gold necklace with a dragonfly pendant dotted with natural purple diamonds. “It reminds me of your grandmother’s brooch.”

“Exactly,” I said. I’d considered having the brooch made into a pendant, but it was too big. Besides, it would’ve been obvious who had given it to Halle. And I was trying to respect her wishes to be discreet. “I had this made with the stones from one of her necklaces.”

“Jasper,” she gasped. “You…what?”

“I know my gran would’ve loved you and Kai. She’s the one who always told me that beautiful things are meant to be enjoyed. Wear your favorite outfit. Use your fine china. Life is too short not to.”

“Still…” Halle peered up at me. “These stones have to have great sentimental value.”

They did. All of Gran’s jewelry did, and she’d left the most important pieces to me. Her dragonfly brooch. The purple diamond necklace. Her engagement ring.

“That’s why I selected them. That, and I know how much you love the color purple. The stones are natural purple diamonds.”

She ran her finger over the pendant, her expression full of awe. “I didn’t even know purple diamonds existed.”

“They’re very rare,” I said. “Like the color used to be in art.”

She smiled. “You remembered.”

“Of course I did,” I said. Every conversation, every smile, every look from her was emblazoned on my heart. Including a conversation we’d had last summer about her love for the color purple and its use throughout art in history. And all thereasons it was rare. I’d found it fascinating. But that was probably because she completely lit up when she was talking about it.

“They’re beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.” I brushed a curl behind her ear.I love you.

I knew it was too soon to tell her. I didn’t want to scare her off, but I couldn’t help it. I loved her.

“Do you want to try it on?” I asked instead.

She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth then nodded. I twirled my finger in the air, and she spun so she was facing the windows once more.

I removed the necklace from the box, then waited for her to pull her ponytail aside. I draped the necklace over her collarbone, feeling like a man starved. I’d been dying to touch her all day, and the occasional graze or linked fingers hadn’t been enough. Far from it.

As I worked the clasp, I watched her reflection in the windows. “Many people believe that if you’re lucky enough to have a dragonfly land on you, the universe is sending good fortune your way. But if that’s the case, then I suppose I should be the one wearing the dragonfly, because I feel nothing but good fortune when I’m with you.”

Her hand fluttered over the necklace, and when she turned to face me, I admired how the pendant looked against her skin. Like it was made for her.

“Even when we aren’t together,” I continued, “I want you to know that I’m thinking about you. Always.”

“Jasper. I—” She inhaled slowly, and I swiped away a tear before it could make its way down her cheek. “I love it. Thank you.”

I smiled, brushing my lips against hers. “I’m glad.”Because I love you.

She linked our fingers, tugging me along with her towardher bedroom. I followed behind, double-checking that Kai’s door was closed, the hint of his night-light shining beneath.

When we got to her room, she closed the door and locked it. I arched one eyebrow, intrigued. Turned on.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Kai as happy as he was today,” she said, closing the distance between us, sliding her hands over my chest. “Thank you for making his birthday feel special.”

“Thank you for letting me be a part of it.” I kept my hands fisted at my sides.

Between the locked door and the way Halle was looking at me, I was pretty sure I knew where this was going, but I didn’t want her to take that next step until she was ready. I never wanted Halle to feel like she owed me something or that our relationship was somehow transactional.

She frowned down at my hands. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want you to think that I arranged today or gave you the necklace because I expect something in return.”

She laughed. “Thanks for clarifying, but I know that’s not why you did it. And, just so we’re clear, that’s not why I want to have sex with you.”