Jasper Vale (The Edens)

You are cordially invited . . .

The wedding invitation in my hand might as well have been a knife. The sheet of textured ecru paper sliced straight through my heart.

“Fuck.” I tossed it on the kitchen counter beside the stack of mail that had been delivered today.

Ironic that the first day I received mail at the A-frame as its official owner was the same day that invitation arrived.

My mail had been forwarded from my place in Vegas to Montana for weeks. Whether I’d bought this cabin or not, that card still would have found its way into my mailbox. Still, it felt like a bad omen.

Why would they send me an invitation? Why couldn’t everyone just leave me alone?

I left the kitchen, walking through the house—my house—to the slider that opened to the deck. The babble of the nearby creek played quietly in the background. The breeze rustled the pine and fir trees, making their trunks sway. The air nipped at my arms, cool despite the sun streaming through the sky. Last night’s dew had mostly disappeared but there were still a few damp, shady spots that gave the air an earthy, rich aroma.

In the past month, the snow had melted in the mountain valleys, replaced with shoots of green sprouting from the forest floor. Spring was coming, and though I’d been warned that we’d likely have at least one more snowstorm, I could feel the energy of a new season.

Winter had been vicious. But this? This I could live with for a while. For however long it took for Eloise and me to get this annulment.

The wheels of the legal process were grinding at a glacial pace. At this rate, I’d be here through summer.

It had been a month since I’d spoken to Eloise. One month since I’d fucked her against the couch in her living room. One month since that woman had twisted me into a goddamn knot.

One month since I’d seen my wife.

Turns out, she didn’t need to pretend not to know me. I’d avoided her spectacularly.

Her attorney had contacted mine, and as I remembered from the first round of this bullshit, legally ending a marriage was more time consuming than it should have been. We’d gotten married in less than an hour. Yet a month later, Eloise was still legally my wife.

Had she told her family, like she’d promised? No.

If she had, Foster would have confronted me about it. But as far as I could tell, beyond Eloise and me, not a soul in Quincy had a clue.

Still, I’d kept my mouth shut, just like Eloise had asked. I hadn’t told Foster even though it was getting harder and harder to face him with every passing day. The putrid, crawling guilt churned my insides.

This secret was eating me alive.

Maybe if it had been any other woman, a stranger, keeping this quiet wouldn’t have burned so fiercely. But Foster and Talia were engaged now. Eloise was his soon-to-be sister-in-law. This betrayal extended to his family.

And fuck, he was going to be pissed.

Another irony. Of all the people in this world, having Foster as my brother was a dream. Except when this came out, it would likely ruin our friendship.

Maybe I’d get lucky and he’d understand.

Unlikely, but a man could hope.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. It could have been a hundred different people. But that uneasy feeling came back with a vengeance. The bad omen. And sure enough, when I dug out my phone, a familiar name was on the screen.

Sam must have known I would have received the card by now.

My heart began racing. With it came that familiar disquiet I couldn’t seem to overcome no matter how many years passed. “Hello.”

“Hi.” Once upon a time, I’d lived for that hi. “Did you get my wedding invitation?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “And what?”

“Are you coming?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s fucked up.” Of all the people in the world, I was the last one who should go to that wedding.

“It is fucked up. But isn’t that who we are? Isn’t that who we’ve been since we were kids?”

I wanted to argue. “Maybe.”

“Good. Then you’ll come.”

“I’m not coming.”

“Why not? Did you develop a dislike for Italy? Or are you afraid to see me again?”

Yes. “No,” I lied.

“Prove it.”

It had been years since I’d seen Sam. There’d been a time when our relationship had been the only good in my life. From the day we’d bonded over mutual disdain for our asshat parents, we’d filled a void in each other’s lives. We’d leaned on one another.

For so long, it had just been us. Together.

Until it had all fallen apart.

Was I scared to face Sam again? Maybe. Mostly, I was afraid of what I’d see in myself. I was afraid I’d find the man I’d been once, lingering beneath the surface. That years of distance, years of trying to be better, hadn’t really done a goddamn thing.

That no matter what, when I looked in the mirror, an unworthy man would be staring back.

Yeah, I was afraid to see Sam again.

“I have to go.” I ended the call, then I turned away from the view, stalking inside.

Foster and I were meeting at Eden Coffee this afternoon to catch up. Since his fight last month, he’d taken a break from training so I hadn’t spent every day with him like usual. When he’d texted this morning to see if I wanted coffee, I’d almost declined.

His lack of training had been my salvation. If I didn’t have to face him, then it was easier to keep Eloise a secret. But if I stayed away too long, he’d suspect something. So I walked through the house, swiping my keys from the counter and paused to take one last look at that invitation.

You are cordially invited . . .

That card had been sent to rub this wedding in my face, hadn’t it? Sent so I’d have to say no. Sam had to know that I wouldn’t go, not in a million years.

Unless . . .

What if I did?

What if I went to this wedding? What if I showed up, just to spite the past? What if I had changed?

Would I be able to finally let go? Finally get that freedom I’d been chasing for years?

“What if I went?” I picked up the invitation and ran a finger along the handwritten calligraphy.

Was I seriously entertaining this idea? Yeah. Damn it, maybe I should go. If nothing else, it would at least give me satisfaction to see everyone’s faces as I waltzed into the reception. To prove to myself I was over the past.

That I could face my parents and Sam, then walk away again.

And if I came with a date . . .

A wife, maybe?

“What am I even thinking?” I tossed the invitation on the counter and headed for the door.

I wouldn’t—couldn’t—do that to Eloise, even if one look at her would send Sam into a tailspin. Besides, it wasn’t like Eloise would want to go. Why would she? I was her soon-to-be-forgotten ex-husband. Which meant my only option was to check the With Regrets box on the RSVP card.

My molars ground together.

You win, Sam.

I wanted to go. But yeah, I was afraid. Especially to go alone.

Hurrying outside, getting far away from that invite before I did something reckless like accept, I climbed into my SUV, then drove into Quincy, doing my best to shake that phone call.

Main Street was busy, like it typically was on Saturdays. A cluster of teens walked toward the theater. A woman pushed a baby stroller toward the local toy store next door to the kitchen goods shop. Two men, each with salt and pepper hair, emerged from The Eloise Inn.

I didn’t let myself glance through the front windows as I passed the hotel. Was she working today?

It hadn’t been as hard as I’d expected to stay away from my wife. Turns out, I was scared to be in the same room as Eloise Eden. I didn’t trust myself around her. She was too tempting. Too irresistible. And I clearly had no control.

If I got addicted to sex with her, the taste of her tongue and the feel of her lips, that amazing perfume, it would only make it harder to walk away.

And though I might have bought a house, that didn’t mean much. I’d be leaving Quincy soon enough.

Just not today.

I parked in an empty space on Main. Foster’s truck was in front of Eden Coffee.

The name Eden was splashed all over this town. In my time here, I’d learned that the Edens were Quincy’s founding family and had lived here for generations. Basically, small-town royalty.

I’d mistakenly married their princess.

My stomach knotted as I headed for Lyla’s café. Eden Coffee was stenciled in gold letters on the front door. Today’s special was written in white, swirly script on a chalkboard sandwich sign in the center of the sidewalk. Through the black-paned windows, I spotted Foster at a table.

The bell above the door tinkled as I walked inside.

He looked up from his phone, jerked his chin and grinned. “Hey.”

“Hi.” I drew in a breath, smelling coffee and cinnamon. “I’m grabbing a coffee. Want a refill?”

“Nah.” He picked up his half-full mug. “I’m good.”

I walked to the counter where Lyla was waiting with a warm smile. “Hey, Lyla.”

“Hi, Jasper. What can I get for you?”

“Just a coffee. Black.”

“You got it.” She smiled wider, then moved to a large coffee pot, plucking a ceramic mug from the nearby shelf. “Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

“Been busy.” Avoiding my wife.

Lyla filled my cup, then brought it over. “Anything else?”

“No, thanks.”

“Sure, um, I was wondering . . .” Lyla hesitated, like she wasn’t sure what to say. But before she could finish, the door’s bell jingled, stealing her attention.

A couple walked toward the counter, so I slipped away to let her take their order.

I took the chair opposite Foster’s. The gurgle and hiss of the espresso machine sounded from the counter.

“How’s it going?” Maybe if we kept the conversation about him, he wouldn’t ask too many questions about me.

“Good. Damn good.”

“How’s Talia?”

“Also good.” He smiled. It was the happiest I’d ever seen my friend look. “She took Kadence to the ranch today to ride horses.”

“Sounds like fun.” I lifted my steaming mug, carefully taking a sip.

Foster leaned in a bit closer, then jerked his chin toward Lyla. “Talia would kick my ass if she knew I was saying this, but I thought you should know. I think Lyla’s got a thing for you. Don’t be surprised if she asks you out.”

My hand shook, so hard that a scorching dollop of coffee sloshed into my mouth. I winced, setting the mug down as my tongue burned. Well, fuck.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” I risked a glance toward Lyla. “She’s just friendly. I’m a customer.”

“Think it’s more than that but . . . just letting you know.” Foster held up a hand. “I’ve had enough secrets to last my lifetime. I’m all about having everything out in the open these days.”

Son of a bitch. The guilt was as bitter as my coffee.

What was Eloise waiting for? Why hadn’t she told them? Maybe she’d never planned to share the truth. Maybe she’d promised with no intention of following through.

I took a sip, not caring when it scalded my tongue. Then I glanced to Lyla again.

She was sweet. Pretty. She was Talia’s twin and the sisters were close. But when I looked at her, there was no uptick to my pulse. No crippling desire to taste her mouth.

There was only one Eden I couldn’t get off my mind.

And her name was on the hotel.

“It wouldn’t bother me,” Foster said. “You, dating Talia’s sister.”

And if I’d married one? Would that bother him? I swallowed down the questions with another searing mouthful of coffee.

This wasn’t going to end well, was it? Every time I delayed the truth was another day Foster would have to resent me.

He’d spent years living a lie before he’d moved to Montana to win back Talia. Maybe he’d understand my reasoning for keeping this marriage a secret. Or maybe he’d hate me even more for hiding the truth.

If Lyla did have a crush, it would only make things worse. Damn it. That was an added complication I didn’t need.

She’d been at the club in Vegas with Eloise. I’d noticed her staring a few times but hadn’t thought anything of it. Mostly because I’d had my eye on Eloise in that sultry black tube top and sexy-as-fuck jeans.

Yes, Lyla was pretty.

But she wasn’t Eloise.

The coffee shop door opened again and boots pounded across the floor.

“Daddy!” Kadence raced through the shop, her chestnut braid swinging across her shoulders.

Talia came in behind her, smiling as she followed.

Foster hopped out of his chair in time to catch Kaddie as she flew into his arms. “How was it?”

“So much fun.” She giggled as he tickled her side. “Can we go again, Talia?”

“Of course.” Talia nodded.

“Tomorrow?” Kaddie asked.

“Um, sure?” Talia laughed. “As long as it’s not raining.”

The rain, I’d take. Too many years living in the desert. I craved a wet, rainy spring.

“Want a snack?” Foster asked, setting his daughter down, nudging her toward the counter where Lyla was waiting. Then he bent to give Talia a kiss. “Good?”

“Really good. It was fun.” She smiled at Foster, the two exchanging a few quiet words before she greeted me. “Hey, Jasper.”

I raised my hand. “Hey, Doc.”

“Foster told me you’re going to stick around for a while.”

“Yeah, a little bit.”

“He can’t live without me,” Foster teased.

I gave a quiet, nervous laugh as I shook my head.

They thought I was staying to keep training with Foster. I’d let them believe I’d bought the A-frame because I was growing attached to Montana.

In truth, buying the cabin had been easier than moving. That would come soon enough.

While Eloise and I sorted through the legal bullshit of an annulment, it would be easier if we were in the same town. So three weeks ago, I’d called the owners of the A-frame to extend my vacation rental. Except they’d informed me they were going to sell it this spring. They wanted to capitalize on the peak market time.

I liked the A-frame. I liked its solitude. Its cozy nature.

So I’d bought it myself. In cash.

When this marriage was annulled, I’d be the one to sell it. Maybe even make a slight profit if the timing was right.

Though it all depended on the courts.

Eloise was set on getting an annulment. She wanted a judge to say this marriage had never existed in the first place. But the grounds for an annulment were limited. According to the latest update from my attorney, he was skeptical that we’d be granted one. Meaning we’d have to go through with a divorce.

Either way, when this thing with Eloise was done, I’d leave Quincy. I’d bid farewell to Montana, hopefully long before another insufferable winter.

My place in Vegas was still an option. Maybe I’d head back toward the East Coast. I wouldn’t live in Maryland again, but I had a house in North Carolina. I could spend a few months in the Outer Banks figuring out my next move.

Or maybe I’d leave the country all together. I also had an apartment in Edinburgh, and if I wanted rain, Scotland wouldn’t disappoint.

“I’m going to say hi to Lyla and get some water,” Talia told Foster, patting his abs before heading to the counter.

Foster took a seat but his eyes stayed locked on his woman.

Talia smiled as Lyla slid a to-go cup to Kadence, the top nearly overflowing with whipped cream. Then as Kaddie returned to our table, Talia leaned in closer to talk to her twin.

Lyla had been about to ask me something earlier. As she spoke to Talia, her eyes flicked my direction, and with that quick glance, the flush of her cheeks, my stomach plummeted.

She did have a crush, didn’t she? How had I missed it? Did Eloise know?

“You all right?” Foster asked.

“Yeah.” I shifted my attention, watching Kadence as she sipped her hot cocoa. “Great.”

Maybe Lyla had mistaken my frequent visits to the coffee shop as interest. Lyla was a fantastic pastry chef. I liked her croissants. They reminded me of the ones our chef had made when I was a kid. But romantically? No.

Besides, I was already married.

The door’s bell chimed again, and a familiar face came inside. Vivienne, Kadence’s mother, walked to our table. Like me, she was new to Montana.

After her divorce from Foster, she’d been engaged to a guy in Vegas, but they’d recently split, so she’d moved here to be close to Kadence.

For years, Vivienne and Foster had been best friends. Their marriage had been a farce but they’d done their best for Kadence. Except last month, before the championship event, Vivienne and Foster had gotten into a huge fight.

Ever since, he’d been cold and distant, Foster’s grudge taking on a life of its own. I hoped like hell he wouldn’t hold one against me too.

God, I hated this. I hated the secret. I hated lying.

It wasn’t right. The longer this continued, the worse it would get. A month would be hard enough to explain. But two? Three?

One look at Foster and Vivienne, the two of them barely making eye contact, and I knew we couldn’t continue on this road. Not if I wanted to keep Foster’s friendship.

Fuck me. Eloise was going to be livid.

Vivienne and Foster traded details about Kadence’s schedule while Talia grabbed a lid for Kaddie’s hot chocolate. Then, after a tense goodbye, Vivi took her daughter’s hand and left the coffee shop.

“Are you going to be pissed at her forever?” Would he hate me someday too?

“No.” Foster dragged a hand through his hair. “Time to let it go, isn’t it?”

Talia took the empty seat beside him, holding out her hand.

Lyla wasn’t behind the counter. She must have ducked into the kitchen for something. Which meant if I wanted a captive audience with Foster and Talia, this was my chance.

I’d warned Eloise.

Her time was up.

I couldn’t keep this a secret any longer.

“Since you’re both here. I, um, need to talk to you about something.” Damn it to hell. This was going to be painful. I sat straighter, trying to find the right words. “I, uh, well . . . I fucked up.”

Not the right words. Shit.

“What happened?” Foster asked. He tensed. So did Talia.

“I sort of . . . I, um . . . fuck.” I rubbed my jaw, swallowing hard. Then I closed my eyes and blurted, “I married your sister.”

“What?” Talia’s jaw dropped. “You married Lyla?”

Lyla. Of course she’d think this was Lyla. Because she had a crush on me. While Eloise pretended I was a goddamn stranger.

“Uh, not exactly,” I muttered.

Another jingle sounded from the door, and then there she was. The source of my misery.

“Oh, uh, hi.” Eloise came to stand by Talia’s side. The color rose in her cheeks. Her eyes darted everywhere but at me.

How could she ignore me? I couldn’t tear my damn eyes away.

And that, well . . . that fucking pissed me off. If she called me sir, I was going to lose my ever-loving mind.

“Hi,” Talia said. “Jasper just told us that—”

“Oh my God, you told them?” Eloise shrieked. “How could you tell them? We agreed to keep this a secret until it was annulled!”

No, we’d agreed she was going to tell them.

“Wait.” Foster leaned forward, pointing between the two of us. “You two got married?”

I was about to explain, but Eloise kept on talking.

“Now everyone is going to find out. Gah! Damn it. I’m never drinking again.” She spun around, jogging for the door.

I shot out of my chair and chased. “Eloise, wait.”

She didn’t.

She just kept on running.

Again.

So I chased her down the sidewalks of Quincy.

Again.