Page 58 of Craving Paradise
“Fine. And if we need last-minute help with anything, you will help?” she asks, pushing her luck, knowing I’d happily do anything to stop her from being annoyed with me.
“I promise.” I cross my fingers over my heart.
“Fine, you can stay then. Oh, this is a nice bottle of champagne, thanks, brother,” she says happily as if she’s doing me the biggest of favors.
This is my home. It seems I’m not the master of my domain while the girls are staying here.
“Can you send up Freya? This is her favorite champagne, too.”
I would never have guessed.
The doorbell rings as I’m about to leave my sister’s room.
“Do you mind getting that? I need to get ready. It’s going to take me hours.”
“Of course, your majesty,” I grumble as I stomp down the stairs of my home to get the door for my house guest. “Freya, she asked for you,” I call out to my cousin as I pass the kitchen.
She gives me a thumbs up and rushes upstairs.
I head toward the front door, open it, and am surprised to see Ines and Lauren standing on my doorstep. What the hell is she doing here? At my home? I’m too dumbfounded to speak for a couple of moments as I see her standing there looking as equally surprised as I am.
“Jasper, it’s so good to see you again,” Ines greets me as she walks into my house.
“Great to see you again too.” I politely kiss her cheek. “Ali told me you’ve been bringing down the house at Minx.”
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity Alistair has given me. The faith he has in my work is so supportive.”
“Well, keep up the good work.” I then turn my attention again to Lauren. “Lauren, Ines’ sister, right? Lovely to meet you again,” I kiss her cheek. Damn her, she smells like coconuts as I inhale her scent.
“Yes, nice to see you again too,” she answers stiffly.
“Autumn’s upstairs in her room. She’s expecting you.” I step away from the door and let them into my home.
They both head toward the stairs until I call out to Lauren. “Would you mind helping me grab some bottles of champagne? Autumn’s being demanding, and I promised I would be her bartender tonight.”
“Sure,” she says, handing her bag to her sister who heads up the stairs.
I turn, walk into the kitchen, and Lauren follows me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I thought this was Autumn’s place.”
“They live with me at the moment as her place is being remodeled.”
Lauren nods in understanding. “I’m sorry, if I had known this was your place, I wouldn’t have said yes to getting ready here.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
Silence falls between us.
“The one month is up tonight. Did you know that?”
Lauren’s eyes widen, and her brows rise high on her forehead. “I didn’t realize.”
That stings a little seeing as I had been counting down the days. I reach out and cup her face. “It’s been hard not talking to you.”
“Jasper,” she says my name in warning.