“Let’s go eat, Kai,” Craig said, turning our son toward the kitchen. Then to me, he said, “Join us when you’re ready, Hal.”
Kai’s shoulders slumped. “But what about my money?”
“Come on, mate.” Craig clamped his hands on Kai’s shoulders and steered him away. “Lunchtime. Your mom will sort it out.”
“Hal?” Jasper mouthed.
I shook my head.Not now.
I stepped into the hall, letting the door close behind me. I pinched the bridge of my nose, a headache forming.
“I’m sorry,” Jasper said. “I didn’t realize paying Kai would cause an issue. I should’ve talked to you about it first.”
“I get why you wanted to offer it to him, but I don’t want your relationship with Kai to be based on a foundation of money or expensive gifts.”Like Craig.“Besides, are you going to pay him every time he dog-sits?”
“I should,” Jasper said. “Don’t you think it’s important for him to value his time? To be compensated for providing a useful service?”
What Jasper said made sense, but still…
The door to my suite opened, and Ethan stepped out. I smiled politely and thanked him before he rolled his cart down the hall toward the service elevators.
“We really shouldn’t—” I said at the same time Jasper said, “This isn’t the place?—”
We laughed.
He made sure the coast was clear then leaned in, careful to keep his voice low. “Can I see you later?”
“I wish, but...” I frowned, thinking of all the things I needed to do to get ready for the week ahead. Let alone the fact that, “I need to spend some time with Kai.”
“I understand,” Jasper said. “I’d never want to encroach on your time with Kai. Maybe after he goes to bed?”
I laughed, wanting so badly to touch him. “Craig’s staying with us, and?—”
Jasper jerked his head back. “Your ex is staying at your place?”
“Just for a few nights. I booked him a room here, but we thought it was more important for Kai to be comfortable while I was out of town.”
“But you’re back now,” Jasper said.
“And Craig’s only here for one more night. He’s staying on the extra bed in Kai’s room.”
Jasper shook his head, his displeasure clear. I understoodwhere he was coming from. I wouldn’t be pleased about the situation if our roles were reversed.
“I’m not happy about it either,” I said. “But I want what’s best for Kai. I moved him away from his dad, and Craig made the effort to be here. I want to give them time together.”
Jasper frowned, and Rosie wiggled in his arms, letting out a yip.
“I should get going,” I said. “Before someone…”
“Right.” Jasper straightened as if suddenly remembering where we were. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded, feeling there was so much left unsaid. “See you…tomorrow.”
I hated that we had to stand here and pretend we were nothing more than colleagues. I hated that I couldn’t invite him into my apartment and ask him to join Kai and me for lunch. At the very least, I wanted to hug him, kiss him goodbye. And I couldn’t do any of that.
It hadn’t hit me until that moment how much I wanted to have that with Jasper. Sure, sometimes it was fun to sneak around. But there were situations—like now—when I just wanted to spend time with him. And I didn’t want to have to come up with a cover story. But I also wasn’t ready to blow up my entire world and everything I’d worked so hard to achieve.
I sighed, shoulders curving inward. “This sucks.”
