Page 73 of Craving Paradise
“Oh, look at that, my father is calling me over. I must go. Thanks for the dance. I’ll see you around.”
Jasper’s brows pull together in confusion as I untangle myself from his grip and do a Cinderella, disappearing out of there.
21
JASPER
Jasper:Hey, what happened to you last night?
We were dancing happily, and the next thing, poof, she was gone, and I never saw Lauren for the rest of the night. She’s left my message on read all day. Have I done something wrong?
“What’s that phone done to you?” Freya asks, joining me in the living room.
“Huh?”
“You’re staring at your phone with a scowl on your face. I just asked what it had done to you?” Freya repeats her question.
“If a girl has read your message but hasn’t replied, what would that mean?”
Her bursting out laughing was not the answer I was expecting.
“Oh, you were being serious,” she asks, pulling back her snickering. “Wait, has that never happened to you before?”
“No.” I shake my head.
Freya snickers again but catches herself and pulls it back in. “It could mean many things depending on the context.”
Mulling over what happened last night, I don’t see in what kind of context Lauren would leave my message on read. I contemplate whether to tell Freya about Lauren.
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Lauren, would it?” she asks as if reading my mind.
My head swings around toward her in surprise that she guessed my problem so easily. “How did you know?”
“The Jasper I know has never danced with a woman in his life. That’s too intimate … I think I’ve heard him say before. It’s something that old couples do,” Freya remarks with a smile.
“I thought it was the easiest way to get to know her away from all you ladies who like to tell everyone how much of a cad I am.”
“We’re only teasing.” She notices my silence. “I didn’t realize it bothered you.” I remain silent. “You like her.”
“Um … no, I don’t,” I bite back quickly.
“Oh my god, yes, you do.” Freya gasps.
“It’s not like that, Freya. I can see it written on your face. You’re going to play matchmaker or some other bullshit. The times I’ve spoken to her, she seems nice.”
“Nice? I’ve never heard you say that about a girl before unless you have no sexual attraction to her, which I know isn’t the case because Lauren is stunning. I have a crush on that girl. Her entire family are freaking supermodels. So, I know it’s not that,” she states confidently.
“She seems fun to hang out with.”
“Lauren’s so much fun. She’s a hoot.” Freya pauses, her eyes widen, and a huge smile forms on her face.
What on earth has crossed her mind?
“Now I get it. She’s the female version of you. Doesn’t do commitment. Is the life and soul of the party. Has the looks. Is rich. And deep down under all those layers, you both are good people.”
“You think I’m that self-absorbed I’d like someone who is the female version of me?”
“It’s not self-absorbed per se. It’s that you guys have a commonality of personality with each other.”