Jasper Vale (The Edens) by Devney Perry

Author:Devney Perry [Perry, Devney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ELOISE

Mateo leaned against the reception counter at the hotel, looking like he was about to broach the subject I’d managed to dodge for over a month.

My marriage.

“So . . .” he said.

“We still have three guests coming in tonight.” I clicked the mouse, waking up the computer. “Hopefully they’ll get here soon. I’d love to check them in before I go home tonight. There’s been a lot of changes to the reservation software since the last time you worked the desk.”

As promised, Mateo had spent the past month helping me at the hotel. He’d mostly been covering shifts in housekeeping. There’d been a few maintenance projects I’d asked him to tackle too, but this was the first time I’d needed him as a desk clerk.

My regular night desk clerk had called in sick this morning, and I’d planned to cover myself. But I’d been here since seven, and when Mateo had come in this afternoon, he’d volunteered to work tonight.

“I can figure out the software,” he said.

“Okay.” I looked to the doors, praying a guest would walk inside so the two of us weren’t alone. So we didn’t have to talk about Jasper.

“What’s Jasper going to do now that Foster is retiring?” Mateo asked.

I shrugged. “He’s not sure yet.” Or maybe he had a plan. Mateo’s guess was as good as mine.

It had been a week since Foster’s retirement had been announced, and if Jasper was sure of his next steps, he hadn’t shared them with me. Why would he? We only had a couple more weeks to go until the wedding, then I’d no longer be his fake wife.

I was trying my very best not to let that chafe.

Just like I was trying my very best to not think about what July would bring.

Divorce.

Dread had become a constant companion these past couple of weeks. It was as unwelcome as it was troubling. Wasn’t I supposed to be looking forward to this divorce? To having my normal life back? To righting the wrong I’d made in Las Vegas?

This marriage had to end. Jasper and I weren’t in love. This wasn’t some fairy tale. Yet the idea of watching him leave made my heart sink.

“How’s it going with Jasper?” Mateo asked. “Be honest.”

“Good.” Not great, but good.

Good enough.

When Jasper and I were at the A-frame, when the rest of the world was a blur beyond the bedroom, it was easy. But the other twenty hours of every day were a bit more difficult.

Prying anything but orgasms out of that man was impossible.

I still didn’t know anything about his family. He never asked about mine. I had no clue what had happened with his ex-wife and why this wedding was so important.

Was I just a tool to spite her? Or did he still love her? When the officiant asked if anyone objected to the marriage, would Jasper raise his hand?

Either way, I doubted I’d like any of the answers to those questions. My curiosity was crippling, but I refused to ask.

Mateo glanced around the lobby, making sure we were alone.

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