Burden

*~Chapter Forty-three~*

Since it's Sunday and Scott was coming over to take the girls out, I woke up early to get them ready. Today was a big deal for them—some kind of fairy-themed event in the city that would last all day. Scott somehow won the tickets in one of those ridiculous raffles he always seems to enter, and the girls couldn't stop talking about it all week.

 I was in the middle of doing their makeup and helping them into their costumes. Lucy insisted on being a glittery pink fairy, while Melissa demanded something "cooler," opting for dark blues and silver. Between the sparkles, wings, and tiny flower crowns, the two of them looked like they'd just stepped out of a storybook.

Scott was running late, as usual, but the girls didn't seem to care. They were practically bouncing with excitement, running back and forth between their room and the hallway to check if he'd arrived yet.

"Is that him?" and Melissa would run to the window to check. Even though the chaos was borderline exhausting, their joy was infectious. It was impossible not to smile watching them twirl around in their costumes, chattering about all the magical things they'd see that day.

"It is! Let's go grab your stuff!" I call out to the girls. Lucy and Melissa squeal, darting toward their room to grab their bags.

Turning back around, I jump slightly when I realize Jasper is standing right there, leaning against the doorframe with a mug in hand. How long had he been there? He's watching me with that familiar, unreadable expression that always throws me off.

"You just enjoy scaring me, don't you?" I say, placing a hand over my chest as if that'll calm my racing heart.

"I enjoy looking at you," he replies smoothly, his voice dripping with nonchalance but with just enough weight to make my stomach flip.

Flustered, I roll my eyes and turn back to finishing Melissa's costume adjustments, hoping he doesn't notice the way my hands falter. "Oh, shut your mouth," I snap, but the heat in my cheeks betrays me.

I can hear the soft chuckle he lets out behind me, but I refuse to turn around and give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered. Instead, I focus on the girls' wings, pretending I didn't just feel my stomach do somersaults at his stupid comment. 

As soon as the girls are out the door, their excited chatter fading as Scott drives off, I flop onto the couch with a sigh. Finally, a quiet house.

But before I can even reach for my phone, Jasper walks into the living room, hands shoved into his pockets. He stops in front of me, tilting his head slightly. "Since the girls are gone, and you've earned a break..." He pauses, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Would you like to go out today, Mae?"

I blink up at him, caught off guard. "Go out? Like... together?"

He rolls his eyes at my hesitation, but there's a playful edge to it. "No, I meant you go out alone while I sit here in silence," he deadpans before softening his tone. "Yes, together. You've been running around all week. Take a break with me."

I sit up straighter, studying him for a moment. It's rare for him to suggest something like this out of the blue, and honestly, it's tempting. "What did you have in mind?" I ask, trying not to sound too eager.

"Whatever you want," he shrugs, his smirk widening. "Lunch, a walk, or maybe just dragging you to a quiet café so you'll stop glaring at me for breathing too loudly."

I can't help but laugh at that. "Fine," I say, getting up and brushing off my jeans. "But if you pick somewhere boring, I'm not letting you live it down."

"Deal," he says, his grin turning a little more genuine. "Now go get ready. I'll wait."

I quickly walk to my room, already mentally planning my outfit. I slip into the dress I'd been eyeing for weeks and keep my makeup simple but sharp enough to feel put together. With one last glance in the mirror, I grab my bag and head back out.