Chapter 49
We arrive at the restaurant to find the whole place empty, as requested. Inside there is music playing, and dozens of roses and candles have been placed around the space, making it look magical. It’s more than what I expected. It’s perfect.
Next to me, the guys look around, shocked that I put this together for us. It hurts a little that they are so surprised because it proves that I don’t put enough effort into them, especially Jasper. He deserves things like this all the time because he goes above and beyond for me daily. I really need to be a better person for him.
“Wow, are you going to propose to us? Because I might say yes,” Harper jokes, walking in to get a better look at the room as the waitress comes over to us.
The moment Harper sees her, he runs his eyes over her causing her to blush. He knows how girls react to him, and it makes him so cocky that I can't believe his head hasn’t already exploded with ego.
That’s just how different Harper and Jasper are. Jasper doesn’t need to make anything known for women to offer him their panties. He remains calm and lets his sexuality ooze off of him. Harper puts it all on the table, letting you know from the start all the filthy things he would like to do with you. As big a flirt as he is, the one thing he won’t do is promise you love to get you in bed. Most women don’t need to hear that anyway. Harper’s smile is enough to convince anyone to fall into bed with him. I managed to fall for both of them.
The woman seats us, and the guys order wine while I order Sprite in a wine glass so I don’t feel left out. I miss wine more than anything. I miss how horny wine made me as well. This baby has me wet as fuck one week and dry as the Sahara the next. I can't wait to have my regular sex drive back.
“Eden, this is great. You didn’t have to.” Jasper leans in, brushing my hair back.
“I wanted to. So much has happened that we've barely had a chance to breathe. We all deserve a fancy dinner, but you two deserve it more for always being here for me. I’ve been incredibly selfish lately, and there’s no excuse for how unappreciative I’ve been. I’m used to always having you at my disposal. It’s been that way for a long time.” I start to feel tears pool in my eyes at the realization that it’s really been a long time that I've had them in my life.
When I met them, I felt so small and unimportant. I hated my life, but they became a beacon of happiness.
“We appreciate this a lot, sweet Eden.” Harper reaches us, cupping the back of my neck to kiss my temple.
Jasper leans in, and when he kisses me, my whole body tingles. I can never get enough of him.
“Thank you, baby,” Jasper says when he pulls back.
“You’re welcome.” I smile, feeling full of love.
That evening, we eat expensive three-course meals, laugh, talk, and bond with each other in a way we haven’t in a long time. It would be nice to freeze time in this very moment, but that isn't how life works. Happiness also means having to make changes according to how your life is going. If you’re finding you're unhappy, you have to look at your environment first. I was unhappy, and when I looked around me, I was the one who needed to change. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’ll always do whatever it takes to ensure that the people I love know how much I love them.
As we’re eating dessert and I’m having a food orgasm from the dark chocolate mousse, Jasper’s cell phone rings. When he answers, his face darkens, letting me know something is wrong.
“What happened?” I put my spoon down.
“We have to go. Someone broke into our house and three of the neighbors' houses. The cops are all over the fucking place.” He doesn’t even wait for us to process before he goes off to find the waitress and pay the bill, even though I’m supposed to pay.
Harper looks at me, and we immediately scoot out of the booth. I need a little extra help, so Harper slides the table over so I can get out quickly without bumping my belly against it.
The car ride is so quiet, but when I try to turn the radio up a bit to drown out the silence, he smacks it, muting the radio altogether.
“Eden, not now.”
“Sorry,” I whisper, feeling the heat rolling off of him as his rage builds the closer we get to the house.
We pull onto the street. Cop lights are flashing in front of multiple houses. My stomach turns a little, feeling bad that people had to experience something like this. It’s a complete invasion of privacy, and it’s hard to feel comfortable in your home after a stranger goes through your things. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight.
As soon as the car is in park, Jasper hops out.
“Don’t let her come inside until I say so, Harp.”
“Got it,” he agrees, getting out before opening my door for me. My stomach is turning with nerves, hoping things aren’t too messed up. I also hope nothing valuable has been taken. Overall, I’m glad we’re safe.
Soon a cop comes over to tell us that it was a multiple-person job seeing as they hit so many houses in the same time frame. A couple of people had jewelry and money taken, but no one was hurt.
“Did anyone see anything?” I ask, running my hand over my belly as the baby moves around a bit…or maybe I just have gas from the food. Who knows.
“A few people have turned over camera footage, but from the looks of it, the perps were wearing masks and dark clothes. They were probably casing the area for a while.”
“Shit. I guess we need to get a camera too.” Harper runs his fingers through his hair in frustration.
As we’re still talking, Jasper comes out of the house, his anger still showing on his face, but not as much as before.
“We’re good. Nothing was taking, but my office was trashed. I guess they thought they would find something.” He shrugs as the cop pulls him aside to get a statement.
Harper takes me inside, and I immediately go upstairs to get out of these clothes. I hate that this has ruined the entire evening. I wanted the guys to have a perfect night, but this is how it’s gone. Just great.
When I’m in comfortable clothes, I go down to help clean Jasper’s office. Downstairs, I find the guys in the kitchen, still dressed with whiskey glasses in hand.
“Hi.” I smile.
“Hey, baby. We cleaned the office already, so you don’t have to worry about it,” Jasper mumbles, sucking on a piece of ice.
“Oh, okay.” I take a deep breath, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’m sorry our date was ruined.”
Both guys gawk at me for a moment as if I’ve said something outrageous.
“What? What did I say?”
“Eden, our date was the best. Nothing ruined it.” Harper shakes his head.
Hearing that makes me feel so much better.
“You really liked it?” I look at both of them.
“Of course, baby. You put a lot of effort into it. The food was amazing. You’re amazing.” Jasper kisses my neck.
“I’m glad. It just sucks that someone broke in here. I wonder what they wanted.”
“I don’t know, but if they come back, I’m going to give them more than they're looking for.” Jasper throws the rest of his drink back before heading to the living room.
Harper and I follow, flopping onto the couch with me in between the two of them. We watch a few TV shows and movies, but none of us makes an effort to go to bed. I can barely hold my eyes open, but Jasper is wide awake, and Harper is on his phone playing games.
“So, raise your hand if you’re too nervous about going to bed and want to sleep on the couch.” I raise my hand.
“Oh, thank God. I’m glad someone said it,” Harper laughs as his hand flies up. We look at Jasper, who is staring at the TV.
“I’m not nervous. I’m just here to protect the two of you.” Jasper cuts his eyes at us before letting the corner of his mouth turn up.
Later that night, when Jasper thinks that Harper and I are asleep, he paces around the house a few times. I watch him walk by three times before I pretend to stir.
“Jasper,” I call for him, and he appears without missing a beat.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Are you going to lie down?”
He gives me a sad look before forcing a smile.
“In a minute. Go back to sleep.”
Instead of doing that, I get up, shuffling over to him. I wrap my arms around him, pulling him to me. His cologne still smells strong even though he’s changed clothes. Jasper rubs my back, letting our bodies sway for a few moments.
“I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you, Eden.” His low voice sounds pained at the endless what-ifs going through his mind.
“I’m here. I’m okay. Nothing bad happened. That’s all that matters.”
Eventually, I get him to lie down, and within minutes, he’s asleep. Finally, his mind can rest.