Jasper spanks my bottom. “No can do, babygirl. We can’t be rude to our friends.”
I sigh. I know he’s right, but the temptation is strong to blow everything off and consummate our new status from fake to real relationship.
He squeezes my ass. “Soon, babygirl.”
“Soon,” I agree with a nod.
* * *
The door flies open as soonas Jasper knocks, and Darlene pulls me into a hug.
“I’m so happy you’re here!” she says excitedly. “It’s our first dinner party!”
“She’s been going crazy over making this dinner,” Colt says, leading the way to the dining area.
“You actually cooked?” I ask wearily. I remember the last dinner Darlene cooked. Our shared apartment stunk like burnt pasta for a week. She could burn water if left unattended in the kitchen.
“Hey! I’ll have you know, I’m a fantastic cook these days.”
Colt covers his laughter with a cough. She smacks his chest. “Shut up, jerk. You eat my food all the time.”
“Let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m adventurous,” he says with a loving smile.
“See! And that’s coming from someone who loves you,” I say.
“Pfft. So do you. Now sit down and prepare to be amazed.”
Jasper pulls out my chair then takes the seat next to me. His hand instantly finds my thigh under the table and rests there. The claiming touch sends a thrill through me, and my core clenches. Just having his hand innocently on my leg is driving me crazy. Honestly, I’m surprised I don’t just spontaneously combust right here at my best friend’s table.
Jasper and Colt fall into a comfortable conversation, leaving Darlene and me to chat.
“How’s the team doing?” she asks.
“Great. They are working hard and are going to be champions for sure.”
“And what about…” her eyes flick to Jasper then back to me. She wiggles her eyebrows just in case I didn’t get where her very obvious question was leading.
“Good,” I hedge.
“Just good?”
A quick look his direction tells me that he’s thoroughly involved with his conversation and not paying us a bit of attention at the moment.
“Things are very good,” I say, emphasizing the “very” while keeping my voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s so exciting. I’m so happy for you.”
Guilt niggles at me because she thinks we’ve been dating for weeks when really, it’s been fake up until today. But then, was any of it really fake on my side though? It sure hasn’t felt fake since those first days. Maybe the guilt is completely misplaced.
Our conversation turns to easier topics as we eat. Dinner is surprisingly good. So long as none of us end up with food poisoning, I’d say Darlene’s cooking is leaps and bounds better than when we were college roommates.
We all chat for a while longer, enjoying each other’s company. The whole time, Jasper’s hand is on my thigh, his thumb rubbing a maddening pattern and keeping me distractedly on edge. By the time we leave, I’m ready to jump him in the car. Thank God my place is close.
“Did you have fun?” he asks.
“It was nice hanging out with them. But I’m very glad to be going home.”
He chuckles. “Me too, babygirl.”