Chapter Nine
“Have you seen the scorching hot chick who works here?”
“Which one?”
“There’s more than one?” The fencing contractor licked his lips. “Green eyes, hair to tangle your fingers in, so she can’t get away. Man, I’d like to tap that!”
Jasper looked at him, incredulity marring his usually friendly features.
Only one way to put a stop to that kind of talk.
“That’s my girlfriend, you dick.”
“Well, you’re a lucky bastard, aren’t you?” The contractor didn’t miss a beat as he continued, “Sorry, mate, I didn’t know.”
“I’d appreciate it if you kept your plans to ‘tap that’ to yourself.”
“Sure, sure. Will do.” He scurried off across the carpark and joined his workmates. After saying a few words, they all turned to look at Jasper as they guffawed and slapped the worker on the shoulder.
Irritated, Jasper returned to his car. He wouldn’t give those guys the satisfaction of witnessing her throwing him out of the office. Even though he hadn’t seen her or spoken to her for two days, his make-up visit to Mimi would have to wait.
***
“Can you go, instead of me?” Mimi pleaded as confusion flooded Alyssa’s eyes. “I have so much to do here.”
“Like what? The fencing guys leave in a few minutes and I already did all the filing and answered all the emails. Ruben says you promised Jasper you’d be at every single shoot.”
“I did, but that was before…” she let her words drift away.
“Before what?”
Before he kissed me and made me lose my senses. Before his hands and mouth enthralled me with their touch. Before I took a long, slow ride of deliciousness on his—
“Mimi, before what?”
“Nothing. I just wanted some time out, but you’re right: I did promise, although I have no idea why. Cate knows what she’s doing; I just stand around and hand her things.”
“Well, I want to go. I’ve been promised tight abs and muscled bottoms. I don’t want to miss that.”
“Cate might not let you stay in the room. It’s essential people only when she takes the shots.”
“Yeah, except for you. Anyway, I’ll be the most essential person she’s ever had. She’ll let me stay. Trust me, we go back almost as long as you two.”
***
There was no need for a pep talk in the mirror before Cate started shooting, this time. Mimi had no interest in what the other men had to offer, and Jasper had no reason to be there. Which was why her irritation skyrocketed when she saw him slip through the door five minutes later.
Alyssa had followed through on her promise and was holding Cate’s camera lenses like the good servant she professed to be. If there was any job that was essential, it was that one. Being indispensable ensured she would be staying for the entire session.
Ruben was in the middle of his photos when Jasper pulled Mimi gently to the side, signalling to her not to say a word. He opened the door to the makeup room and pushed her through.
As soon as the door closed behind him, she hissed at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Really? You’ve done a pretty good job of not talking to me this week.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to call, but I behaved pretty badly. I thought I’d give you some time to cool down.” He watched her face, worried she’d storm out before he could finish. “I was at your office today, but the fencing contractors got in my way.”
“What do you mean? They promised not to block access to the site.”
He scratched the back of his head. “That’s not what I mean—it doesn’t matter. I just want to talk to you and clear the air.”
“So, talk.”
“I’m sorry for what happened the other night.”
“You’re sorry we had sex?”
“No! Of course not. I’m sorry about the morning after. I shouldn’t have run out and I shouldn’t have taken offence. I want to continue with our dates.”
“Seriously? Why?”
He reached for her hand, but she snatched it away. “How can you ask me why? I thought you enjoyed yourself.”
“I did.” God, so much! “I did. I’ve realised since then that I’m not cut out for casual sex, though. I don’t want to have the other dates, sleep together a few times, and then go our own merry ways. I have a responsible position at the community centre and I don’t want parents thinking I’m not putting their kids first. I want a real and lasting relationship, Jasper. I don’t want to be avoiding you in the supermarket for the next two years because we’re both embarrassed.” She paused, wondering if she could tell him what was at the core of her refusal. Whatever, she didn’t owe him anything but the truth. “I don’t want to be one of your conquests.”
“I don’t want that, either.”
“Great, we agree, then. Let’s be friends and forget about the rest.” She turned away, so he couldn’t see her face.
“Phew.” He blew out his breath behind her. “This conversation has not gone how I planned. I was all set to apologise and tell you I think you’re the one I’ve been waiting for, and now you want to be friends. Is that really what you want?”
“I think it’s the best way forward after what happened. I don’t want to go through that again.”
Can’t go through that again.
***
Jasper quickly excused himself once they were back in the studio. Mimi watched him leave with a mixture of concern and despair. It killed her to friend-zone him, but it was best for both of them. The last thing she wanted was a broken heart weeks from now when their fifth date rolled around and he changed his mind and moved on to someone else. She’d watched him plough through women for too long now to believe it could be any different for her. He seemed upset, though, which she hadn’t expected.
The photo shoot continued all afternoon. Alyssa left to have a late lunch with Ruben and Mimi was left to hold the camera lenses. She focussed on the photographs and all the things they still had to do to sort out the calendar.
The printer would start the layout two weeks from now. Saturday was all planned out, and after that, they just needed to choose the best shots and the order they wanted them in. Cate would do the touch-ups and forward them to the printer.
Alyssa had created some beautiful promotional flyers and the printer had promised to produce two thousand of them at no extra cost. The calendars were expected to be ready in a month and selling could start straight away. With the fencing now in place around the hall, the repairs could begin, and they’d been promised a finish date in plenty of time to plan for Christmas. They could juggle the money as it came in and pay it out for repairs.
Everything was coming together nicely—everything except the ache in Mimi’s heart for Jasper.
***
Well, you royally screwed that up, didn’t you?
Jasper sat in his car for over an hour after he left the studio. He went back and forth with himself, convinced she’d change her mind if he just explained better. Finally, he resigned himself to respect her wishes and be without her. He thumped the steering wheel in frustration more than once.
Ruben and Alyssa leaving together did not improve his mood. He watched as they laughed and chatted and then disappeared around the corner in the direction of the main shops. Ruben was the only one who knew how he felt about Mimi; he was never going to hear the end of it once his friend realised they were done.
You can’t change her mind. You just have to get on with things.
He snorted to himself as he started the car and pulled out onto the street.
Getting on with things sounded so easy, but losing Mimi was not going to be easy on him.