Whispered Desires

Chapter 33: The Balcony

KILIAN

I rarely take the time to just stop and take a breath for a moment.

That changed when Jasmine burned her way into my world, sharp tongue and fiery mind showing just how adventurous life can be. She has a way of offering you the best of the world, even when it's at its worst.

The sound of the balcony door closing behind me makes me turn around, and I find Jasmine stepping out, two cups of coffee in her hands. "Here you go." She hands me a mug and I watch how she sprawls herself on the rattan couch next to me.

We spent a few hours with Mila and Hayden before we left the new parents to adjust to their new reality, and by now the sun is already over the horizon, lighting up the world like this night wasn't the craziest I've ever experienced.

Jasmine heaves a sigh, and I watch how she gets comfortable on the sofa. "You changed," I comment, eyeing her new outfit up and down. She's wearing one of my jerseys now, my own number on her chest only paired with some skimpy shorts that could pass as a simple set of underwear.

Throwing her legs over my lap, she studies me with a smile. "You didn't."

I shrug, opening the buttons on my sleeves before I roll them up my arms. Honestly, I was too exhausted to even try and get changed, and with everything going on I was glad to get a moment of silence. "Nope."

I feel Jasmine's eyes on me as I just stare at the large buildings in front of us, the weight of this day coming down on me with a daunting force. People start their day on the busy L.A. streets beneath us, and I watch how they bump into each other, every single one of them living their own life right now.

There's something soothing in watching other people exist, and I wonder why I haven't spent more time on this balcony. I've been living here for a few years now, but I rarely just sat here and watched the world happen in front of my eyes. I guess I'm the last person you'd expect to have deep thoughts or question the way I live my life, but the past months have taken a toll on me I didn't expect.

"I'm still pissed you didn't win that award." Jasmine breaks the silence, a frown on her lips as she brings her cup of coffee to them.

Unable to find the right words, I stay silent. I wouldn't know what to say, I still haven't quite grasped what happened in the last twenty-four hours. I knew chances were slim, considering I didn't even play the entire season. But I was still hoping for it, craving the award I damn well deserve. I know what I achieved and what I sacrificed to get there.

When they said that idiot's name instead of mine, I wanted to scream. I was close to telling them all to go fuck themselves, but I didn't have to. Jasmine did that for me, and even though I'm sure we'll be in the press for that stunt, I'm proud as fuck of my girl.

From the corner of my eye, I notice how she yawns and rubs her eyes, not at all caring about the meticulous make-up she wore yesterday. Not that there was much left of it after the emotional night we had.

"Tired?" I ask, running my hands over her bare legs on my lap.

"Yeah. Nova really greeted the world with a bang, huh?" She chuckles.

"Oh, Nova Jasmine definitely proved she's worthy of her name."

A wide grin spreads on my girlfriend's lips, and I can't help but mirror the expression. I know how much it means to her that this girl carries her name now, and I already know she'll be an amazing Godmother to Mila's and Hayden's daughter.

"If there's any child worthy of my name, it's her." She states. "Even if she looked like an alien."

I can't help but laugh at her comment, the memory of Nova in Mila's arms still etched in my brain. "I swear I was scared of that wrinkly child for just a second," I quip, and Jasmine laughs right with me.