Chapter 113

Jasper’s POV

Jasper wished things could be different. All he wanted in the entire world was to cast his responsibilities aside and follow Aria across the continent to Moonglow pack.

For any other woman, he might have done just that. He wasn’t known for being responsible and often gave preference to his whims over all reason. He’d have followed this hypothetical woman for a few months, after which, out of boredom, he would have returned and acted like the whole thing never occurred.

Yet, with Aria, even from the start, things had been different. With her, he found that he couldn’t be as reckless, careless, or selfish as he usually was. It was infuriating, how she made him want to better himself. Worse, since she didn’t even particularly seem to want him in return.

Friendship was what she wanted, which was fine. Jasper liked spending time with her, even if it wasn’t naked and horizontal, though he also hoped for that someday too. Eventually. After he could prove to her that he was the kind of man she could love and trust.

His cousin Lucian had hurt Aria with his negligence. What a fool, he’d had the whole world in his hands, having Aria’s love and affection, and he ignored it.

Jasper could understand why Aria was shy with his own affections now. Maybe it was because of how Lucian had treated her that made Jasper want to do better. Or perhaps it was because she stirred something within him that made him care about her in ways he’d never cared about another soul in his life.

Whatever the reason, he found himself stuck on Aria. And that was exactly why he couldn’t go with her.

Yet.

“I wish I could accompany you,” Jasper said.

He watched her face closely, looking for any sign of disappointment, but she schooled her features well, revealing nothing but a steady and understanding calm.

He wasn’t annoyed by this. The calm gave him the strength to push forward, to stick with his plans rather than caving to the whims that made him want to follow her.

“But,” he continued. “As I am, I know I do not deserve you. Not yet.”

“Jasper,” she started.

Jasper quickly raised his hand, stopping her. “Please, let me finish. If you, uh, try to comfort me now, I might lose my nerve.”

Aria, nodding slightly, closed her mouth into a tight line.

“I want to be the kind of man you deserve,” Jasper continued. “But to do that, I have to stay here, at least for a little while longer. There are some affairs of the pack that I need to handle.”

Aria gave me a curious look. Though she was silent, it spoke volumes.

“I got a job,” Jasper told her.

Her eyes went so wide, that it forced a laugh out of Jasper.

“I know. Unusual, right? This is all your influence.”

True to her silent promise, she didn’t say a word, though Jasper could tell from her shifting, conflicting facial expressions that she really wanted to.

“Because of that, I need to stay here, at least for a little while,” Jasper said. “But when I’ve done enough, when I can make you proud, I will follow you to Moonglow.” It still didn’t feel like enough. “I’m sorry it couldn’t be sooner.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Aria said, breaking her silence at last. Reaching out, she placed her hand on his arm. “You are doing what is right, Jasper.” Her expression turning slightly sad, she added, “You know you don’t need to accompany me at all…”

“I do,” Jasper said, adamant. He wasn’t going to be like Lucian and let Aria slip through his fingers. He was going to better himself, become the kind of man worthy of her, and then glide in and sweep her off of her feet.

It wasn’t a flawless plan and would take far more time than he would like, but he was committed to seeing it through. For Aria.

“You are a good friend,” Aria said, smiling now.

Jasper smiled too.

Aria’s POV

When I returned home that evening, I was surprised to find Cathy, Jasper, and Piper all already there waiting for me. They were dressed in their club wear, ready to go out.

“You guys have plans?” I asked them.

“Yes,” Cathy said, “And you do, too. Get dressed. We’re having a bon voyage party.”

Thirty minutes later, I emerged from my bedroom in my own little blue dress, with my hair crimped and my makeup flashy and stylish.

It must have looked good because Jasper did a double-take.

“Come on,” Cathy said, herding us all to her car.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Across town, we found ourselves at a trendy nightclub and wine bar. While Cathy and I sat down, Piper grabbed Jasper’s hand and dragged him out toward the dancefloor.

“I want to dance!” she announced.

Jasper only put up a small fight, glancing back at me once with puppy eyes, yet he made no motion to break away from Piper, which he certainly had the strength to do.

He might have been trying to be a better person, but he still enjoyed the nightlife. I could see it in his eyes and his smile and the way he fell into the dance so easily. There was nothing wrong with that, I didn’t think.

I wished he understood that I didn’t need him to change. We would always be friends no matter what kind of man he wanted to be.

But… I also knew he wanted to be more than friends. While I had made clear my heart was still, unfortunately, Lucian’s, Jasper had taken that more as a challenge than as a rejection.

I couldn’t lie. I liked the attention. Even if I kept trying to tell him he was wasting his time.

Cathy ordered some wine from the waitress who returned a few minutes later with a bottle of wine and one of water and four glasses. After popping the cork, Cathy filled my glass with water and hers with wine.

“So,” she said, lifting her glass. “Should we make a toast?”

“Should we wait for Jasper and Piper?” I asked.

“We can toast again later,” Cathy said. “This one is to our friendship.”

Looking at her, I could see the sadness start to well in her eyes.

“Friendships are forever,” she said, “Even with distance.”

“You are my best friend, Cathy,” I told her. “That is never going to change.”

“You better call me every day.”

“I will.”

“I want to know the minute anything happens.”

I laughed a little at her insistence. “I will. I promise. And I expect the same from you.”

That eased her rankled nerves somewhat and she smiled. “I promise too.”

We sipped from our glasses to seal the promise.

Then, leaning back on the booth seat, we watched Piper awkwardly dance around Jasper who was trying to keep up with her strange moves. Jasper was well-acquainted with nightlife, but it was clear Piper was not. But her enthusiasm was charming, even if her dance moves made her look like a fish flopping on a boat deck.

“Piper told me about the things Lucian said to you yesterday,” Cathy said. “Odd that I had to hear it from her and not you…”