Chapter Ten
Two weeks passed quickly and Mimi found herself in the pub on the corner, celebrating the selection of the final photographs for the calendar. Everyone who’d posed had been invited, and she’d spent a fun evening laughing at the men each attempting to outdo each other with their stories. Cate and Alyssa rounded out the bunch, and more than once, Cate had to be rescued from the clutches of her soon-to-be-famous photographic subjects.
Jasper said a quick hello and then spent the whole night on the other side of the bar. He joined in the festivities and the laughter, and Mimi was glad to see he seemed happy. A tiny sliver of hurt pierced her heart; she’d kind of hoped he’d have more trouble moving on, but it was definitely better this way.
She’d hit it off with Shawn that first day at the hall and soon found herself in a booth chatting to him. He described the fire they’d attended earlier in the day and the way smoke had billowed from the windows above their heads. Apparently, Jasper had stopped them all from going inside when they’d arrived, and the windows above them had finally blown out, showering the carpark in glass. If they’d ignored Jasper, they could have been seriously injured.
The last thing she wanted to talk about was Jasper, but Shawn couldn’t seem to shut up about him. He’d had a few beers and was determined to tell anyone who would listen what a great guy his leader was.
I know how great he is. I have first-hand knowledge of how great he is… in bed.
No, she couldn’t have those thoughts now—not when they’d been getting along so well. Jasper had offered to run a sport workshop each weekend for the kids who were waiting to use the hall. He’d sourced a donation of balls and other gear from a local store and had kept a group of twenty children busy the last two weekends. He’d been nothing but polite to her and had even joked with Alyssa about next year’s calendar being a ladies-only affair. He was his usual cocky self, as far as she could tell.
“Did he fess up, yet?”
“Oh, this sounds juicy.” She nudged Shawn and encouraged him to continue. “Has who confessed, and what exactly would they be confessing to?”
“How long it’s been.”
“How long for what?”
“Since he got lucky!” He laughed and took a drink of his beer. “Rumour has it it’s been two years.”
“Who are you talking about, Shawn?” She laughed as he swayed in his seat.
“Jasper, of course. Haven’t you been listening to me? I’ve just spent the last ten minutes telling you we can’t work out why he’s all droopy and sad.”
“Sorry, I thought you were telling me what a hero he was today.”
“I was, but then I changed topic. Anyway, like I said, it’s been a long drought.”
“Two years? You must be more drunk than you look. There’s no way he’s gone more than a month, tops.” The words stuck in her throat and she picked up her own drink and zeroed in on Jasper chatting across the room. “Look, even now there’s a woman hanging off his arm.”
“Well, that’s what he’d like you to think. He’ll humour her and might even make it look like they’re leaving together. Nothing will come of it, though. He’s holding out for the real deal, he says. We thought maybe he found her a few weeks ago, but he hasn’t said a word about it—very out of character.” He chugged the rest of his beer and slid out of the booth. “You want another?”
“No, I’m great. Thanks.”
I thought he would spread it far and wide that we slept together. Now he’s told his workmates he’s holding out for a real relationship?
She watched him deftly dispose of the blonde, and before Mimi could look away, he’d glanced in her direction and caught her eye. He smiled and she returned the gesture.
Why, oh why didn’t I believe him when he said he’d been waiting for me?
Shawn returned with another drink, but she’d had enough of his rambling, so she said her goodbyes and slid out, ready to call it a night. She stood and turned smack-bang into Jasper’s chest.
“Oh, sorry.” A few drops of his beer spilled on her shirt and he apologised again.
“No problem. I’m going home, anyway.”
“So soon? Didn’t you organise this party?”
“I did, and I think you’re all doing a great job of enjoying yourselves. I have an early start tomorrow, so I better get going.”
“Did you walk here? Can I walk you home?”
“I did walk, but really, I’m fine.”
“Please?” His eyes pleaded with her as he put his beer onto the table. She realised she hadn’t seen him take a second one all night and this one was still half-full. “I’d like to know you’re safely home.”
She smiled and rolled her eyes. “I’ve been getting myself home for years all by myself, but if you insist.” She waved to Alyssa and Cate as Jasper led the way to the door.
The outside air was cool, and she pulled her jacket around her and tucked her hands in her pockets. They walked quietly down the street until Jasper spoke. “I’ve missed you.”
She smiled down at the ground. “Same.”
“You should have lunch with me sometime—or we could grab dinner, go to the footy. Whatever you like.”
“Jasper, we already agreed. You’re not getting the other three dates.” She smiled at him. Trust him to be so full of confidence that he would try again.
“Not dates—just friends. Friends do things like that. We’re not quite friends again, yet, but we could be, if you give it a chance.” They’d reached her front gate, and all of a sudden, she knew she didn’t want him to come to her door. There were too many memories attached to that space in her home; both dates they’d been on had ended with kissing near that door. “I’d rather be a friend than not see you again.”
“Okay. We’re practically partners in crime with the calendar—we couldn’t have gotten this far so quickly without you.”
“Don’t forget you wouldn’t have even had this idea if it weren’t for me.” He grinned, and it was obvious he knew she and Alyssa had lied about having the idea before they saw him that day in the office.
“True. You and your fireman uniform were the catalyst.”
“Ha! I knew it!”
“God, you’ll be unbearable, now. Poor Ruben won’t know what to do with you.” He laughed loudly and a dog started barking three houses away. He quieted down, but she was pleased to see the worry slip from his eyes. For all his laughter and confidence, he seemed more serious than she remembered.
“Anyway, you go inside. Let me know when you’re free for catching up.”
She closed the gate behind her and heard his footsteps start up the street. She’d have to try harder to make it seem like she was over him. Being friends was part of that, and she’d specifically said she didn’t want to avoid him whenever they were out. Next time there was some reason to need help, she wouldn’t hesitate to contact him. That would show him that she was completely over him, even if it wasn’t remotely true.