Chapter 22
Too Good to be True
I
am zipping around
my room because my final dress fitting ran overtime, thanks to Dominique
fluffing around with my hemline. Now I am running late, and V will have my head
if I miss a second of the final wedding rehearsal and dinner she has planned.
Tomorrow is her wedding, and I do not want to anger her in anyway because I've
seen her angry, and it's not a pretty sight.
The doorbell chimes and I wonder who that could be. V left after the
dress rehearsal to meet Lucas, and Jasper has a shift at the shelter before the
rehearsal.
Grabbing my cardigan while slipping on my sandals, I descend down
the stairs, and commend myself for not falling down them, and breaking my neck.
I look at my reflection in the hallway mirror and smile. I look like
me again. A flustered me, but nevertheless, it's me.
I open the door, and the person before me sends me into a panic.
“Harper?” I ask, clearly confused. “What are you doing here?”
He clears his throat uncomfortably. “To take you to the rehearsal
dinner.”
“Oh.” Fuck, I add silently.
I totally forgot I had told him about the dinner. But now that I
think back, I remember telling him to clear his calendar, as this was a night
he was not to miss. No excuses.
Under the current circumstances, I am surprised he is here.
“You don't have to come. I don't expect you to...um, escort me. I
mean, we're not together anymore,” I say in hopes he gets the hint.
“Oh,” he says, lowering his eyes. “If you don't want me there, I
understand. I just thought we were going to stay friends. Friends do these
kinds of things together. You know, like that time in Singapore when I helped
you through your rough patch.”
Damn him for bringing that up and making me feel guilty. How can I
say no now?
“Of course, you're right. Let’s go because we're running late.”
Locking the door, I nearly fall down the stairs when I see his ride.
“Where's Roberto,” I ask, looking at the impressive grey BMW
convertible parked in front of my stairs.
Harper shrugs. “It really was pretentious of me demanding we have a
driver, wasn’t it?”
I turn to look at him, mouth agape. Harper is admitting he’s
pretentious.
I've heard it all!
Letting out a small giggle, I reply, “You said it, not me.”
He smiles and opens the door for me, taking my cardigan and bag, and
placing them in the trunk.
He slips inside and smirks. “So, you said you were late. You better
hold on then.”
I let out a yelp as he zips into traffic at a speed that would rival
the man of steel.
*****
Stupidly, when I handed my bag to Harper, I didn’t realized what he
was going to do with it. Because it has been sitting in the trunk, I have been
unable to text Jasper to warn him I am arriving with Harper.
I feel a knot forming in my stomach as we drive up the windy
driveway of The Mayfair.
Harper comes over to open my door, while I am trying to figure out
how to use these European door locks.
“Thanks,” I mumble as I step out of my prison.
He reaches down to hold my hand, and I quickly scoot away from him.
Harper senses my discomfort and frowns. “Sorry. Old habits die
hard.”
“It's fine.”
It most certainly is not fine because if this shit continues, Jasper
will blow a gasket.
But I shrug it off, not wanting to cause a scene.” Come on let's go
before V sends a search party.”
We hurry up the driveway and when I enter The Mayfair, my eyes bulge
out of my head. It is simply stunning. I look above me as there is a huge
spiral staircase winding up to God knows where. I lower my eyes, and I can see
my reflection staring back at me in awe from the polished floorboards. As I
turn in circles to examine the room, I notice there are elaborate European
inspired paintings of Roman Goddesses, beautifying the gold walls. The feel
inside is classic glam, and it is perfect.
As I am marvelling at the magnificence of it all, V pulls me into a
tight hug. “You're here, thank God. We're needed outside, so snap to it.”
I let out a laugh.” Okay, lead the way,” and move my hands in front
of me in a sweeping motion.
Harper moves with us, but V slaps down her hand on the staircase
banister, using her arm as a barrier so he can’t proceed any further.
“Wedding party only,” she says, emphasising the word only.
Harper expresses a smile which doesn’t reach his eyes. “Okay, I’ll
just wander around this beautiful building.”
V glares at him. “Don't touch anything.”
Harper looks furious and I can sense an argument, so I drag her off
before she combusts.
We are headed to the garden when she shrieks, “Please do not tell me
you are back together with him because God help me, I will drown you in that
lake!”
I haven't had a chance to explain the situation to V, as she has
more important things to deal with than my dramas. I did text her telling her
it was over, which she was overjoyed about. Now she looks far from
overjoyed.
“No, of course not. He just turned up on my doorstep, all puppy dog
eyes and I couldn't turn him away,” I reply quietly, because I am unsure where
Jasper is, and I don’t want him to overhear me.
Of course V doesn’t care who is in audible range as she yells, “Why
the hell not?”
I feel foolish as I admit, “Because I feel guilty.”
She looks at me with a puzzled look. “Pfft Ava, he didn't care when
he did it to you.”
“I know, but I owe him,” I reply uncomfortably.
V scrunches up her face confused. Of course she is confused as I
have not filled her in on my life- the soap opera.
“After this wedding, you and I need to talk,” she says while
throwing me an incredulous look over her shoulder.
I nod quickly, because I couldn't agree more.
We see the boys standing with Mark, and I get all giddy when I see
Jasper. He has his hands bunched into his jeans pockets, and his hair is
sticking up at odd angles.
He turns when he hears us approaching, and instead of greeting me
with a smile, he looks like I've just clubbed a baby seal to death. I know he's
seen Harper, and judging by the way he is working his jaw, he is furious at me.
I slowly approach him and stand by his side, afraid of what he is
going to say.
And of course he says nothing.
“Hi,” I mumble, wanting to break the ice.
“Why is he here?” he sneers under his breath.
Well hello to you too!
Mark is giving directions to everyone, so I quickly whisper, not
wanting to disrupt his instructions.
“He just turned up on my doorstep. I couldn't turn him away. I'm
sorry. I’ll explain it all, I promise. It's a long story.”
Jasper shakes his head furiously.
He turns to look at me with his big blue angry eyes. “Well, lucky I
have all night then.”
****
The rehearsal went okay, considering Jasper was ignoring me for most
of it. Now, I have to sit at a dinner table with my maybe boyfriend, and ex
fiancée.
Wow, what a tart.
I am so apprehensive I have locked myself in this beautiful bathroom
for the past twenty minutes. But I need to bite the bullet and get this over
with.
Splashing some cold water onto my face, I look into the mirror and
whisper, “It's now or never.”
Descending the steep stairs, I ensure I am holding tightly onto the
railing, although falling down them wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Having a
concussion would stop me from having to deal with the battle of my exes.
I enter the elaborate dining room where V’s reception is to take
place. I am in love with this place; I just wish I could enjoy it more so.
Approaching the table, Harper stands and I notice Jasper White
knuckling the tablecloth. There are about twenty people sitting at the table,
and I can feel their eyes on me when I falter when Harper stands.
Great, it’s started already.
Harper pulls out my chair, and I sit down cringing.
I timidly peer up at Jasper who is sitting across from me, glaring
daggers at Harper. Harper seems totally oblivious as he begins discussing the
menu with me. Thankfully Lucas slaps Jasper on the back, whispering something
to him which makes him smile. Well, it’s more of a snicker, but I’ll settle for
that over the poop face he has been wearing all night.
Looking at the beautiful brass clock above the stage, I realize I've
only been here for two minutes, and I'm already counting down the minutes until
it’s over.
I start fiddling with my cutlery because I can feel Jasper‘s eyes on
me, watching me closely. I writhe in my seat, not sure how to respond with him
looking at me in such an intense way.
Thankfully Lucas’ dad stands up, his glass raised, and he is calling
a toast.
We all give him our full attention.
“Thank you to everyone for being here to help celebrate this special
occasion. When we first met V, we knew that Lucas had met his match.”
We all let out a small laugh because he is so totally right.
“We are so happy they have found one another, because they were made
for each other. Love like theirs, it is something you only read about. And this
commitment they are making, as man and wife, will only cement their love
forever.”
Peering over at Jasper, who is looking at me closely, I give him a
small smile, which he thankfully returns.
“So on behalf of Julienne, Lucas and V, we thank you for being here
to help celebrate their union. To Lucas and V,” he says, raising his champagne
glass.
“To Lucas and V,” we all repeat, saluting the happy couple.
V has tears in her eyes, and I subtly wipe at mine which are
starting to tear up.
Once the chatting resumes and dinner is served, I look openly over
the table to stare at Jasper. He looks to be in better spirits as he is
chatting away with his band members. He automatically senses me ogling him, and
he turns my way, giving me a dimpled smile.
“Get a room,” V scoffs when she sees us staring at one another. But
I can tell she is overjoyed that we are being civilized to one another.
I chuckle and must admit, I too am happy with the way things are
progressing between us.
Someone who most definitely does not feel the same is Harper. As I
look over at him, he has the stiffest upper lip and if the wind was to change,
he would be stuck with a God awful face. He looks to be on the verge of tears,
and I feel terrible. I have been ignoring him, and quite frankly, forgotten he
was here. But this happens often when Jasper is around because nothing else
matters.
To try and cheer him up, I bump him with my shoulder playfully. “Is
your chicken any good?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
He nods. “It’s lovely. Want to try some?”
“You bet,” I smile warmly at him, feeling a little better knowing
that he is at least enjoying one part of the evening.
He cuts a piece and places it in front of my mouth, waiting for me
to open up.
I stare at his outstretched hand, as he is holding his fork out for
me to try his food.
Me and my big mouth!
Not wanting to make a scene, I quickly accept and cover my mouth
while chewing quickly.
“It's good,” I mumble, finishing it off, and I’m surprised I haven’t
gagged on it.
Harper smiles and continues on like he didn't just feed me in front
of Jasper. I can feel the hatred pouring off of Jasper, and when I look at him,
I instantly regret it. I can’t blame him for the slight murderous glare in his
eyes, but its actions which leave me breathless. He is leaning back in his
chair, his hands interlaced behind his head, watching me candidly. A slither of
his firm stomach is exposed, and his dark snail trail is taunting me with its
perfection.
He knows I am all but salivating all over myself, because as he
leans further back in his chair, his t-shirt rides higher up his tummy,
exposing more toned flesh. Lucas’ grandparents are going to have to turn away,
because I am about to do unspeakable things to their grandson’s best friend.
“Did you want some wine?” Harper asks, snapping me out of my
daydream to hurdle over the table and into Jasper’s lap.
Turning to look at him, I notice he has a bottle of Riesling in his
hands, poised over my glass.
“Thanks,” I reply as he picks up my flute, filling it to the brim.