Chapter 22

Renee’s POV

The next morning I wake up to the blaring sound of the smoke detector going off. I shoot upright in bed and scramble to my feet. Only after I become briefly oriented do I smell something like burnt pancakes.

I relax a little as I head down the stairs, tugging my bathrobe tight against me. Debbie appears from her bedroom, looking groggy with a mess of bedhead. “Mommy, what is that?” she asks rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“I think Jasper is trying to make breakfast,” I tell her. She groans.

“Again?” She whines. I ignore her and descend down the steps. Jasper is great at saving lives, cooking on the other hand-not so much.

The smoke is thick downstairs. I cough as I enter the kitchen. “Morning,” Jasper greets as he fans the smoke detector with an oven pad. Thankfully, the alarm stops.

I look at the ruined pancake that sits like a hockey puck on the stove. “What are you doing?” I ask Jasper.

“Hey, that pancake had it coming,” Jasper jokes as he tries to scrape the char off the pan.

Jasper is staying with us for a little while Debbie recovers. It makes the most sense considering we’re still upholding the dating act. It’s actually been pretty nice having him around in case Debbie needs him.

Margaux is great, but after Debbie’s incident she’s been a little on edge and I think the break will serve her well, not to mention having a doctor around puts my worries for Debbie at ease. Unfortunately, unlike Margaox, Jasper can’t cook.

I go over to the pot of coffee. “That isn’t burnt,” Jasper says and I chuckle.

“Good,” I pour myself a cup and pull out a chair at the kitchen island to sit at. “You know you don’t have to cook,” I tell him, which is my nice way of asking him to stop almost burning my house down. I already can hardly afford Debbie's medical care, let alone a new home.

“You’re letting me stay here, I want to pull my weight,” Jasper say. He’s sweet. I take a sip of my coffee and nearly choke, it’s piping hot. Jasper winces when he sees my face twist in pain.

“Do you want some ice?” He asks.

“Maybe you should stick to what you know best,” I say and push the mug away to cool down. “Besides, you’re literally saving my daughter's life, and helping to keep Eric out of my life. You sleeping on the couch in my dingy house is hardly a thank you,” I say.

Jasper grins. “It’s my pleasure,”

Though Jasper and I kissed, we haven’t talked about it since. I think we both know it was only for show. I check the clock, I have to start getting ready. Jasper gives up on the pancakes as he puts the pan in the sink.

“Go ahead and get ready for work,” He says as if reading my mind. “I’ll get cleaned up here and take Debbie to school. I have a surgery later today, so I’m in no rush.”

I laugh at the irony that Jasper can perform some major medical operation, but a pancake is what causes him trouble. “Thank you, doctor,” I say and hop off my seat. “I’ll see you later tonight,”

Jasper’s lips pull into a lazy grin, “Yes, you will.” He says. Jasper has been picking me up every night from work just to make sure Eric knows that I’m ‘taken’.

Aside from chilling stares from Eric the day has been normal. I even get used to the feeling of Eric’s eyes monitoring my every move. I’m not exactly sure what he’s looking for, as if somehow my actions at work will reveal that Jasper and I aren’t really dating. So, I ignore him.

Eventually, the day wanes to an end and I make my way to the parking lot and wait for my ride. I say goodbye to co-workers heading to their car. I hear my phone ping and I reach into my pocket. It’s from Jasper. It says:

On my way to get you. Debbie and I are jamming out to the radio. She says we should start a band, I agree.

I laugh out loud at the text, until I hear the familiar high-pitch whines of Mia behind me.

I turn around and see her and Eric walking out of the building. Mia is looking straight at him, going on about something that I can’t quite make out while Eric stares straight ahead, looking at nothing. Until he sees me.

Mia follows his gaze and when her eyes land on me, she scowls. I slide my phone into my pocket, hoping Jasper would show up- like now.

“Evening,” Eric greets and I reply with a small smile. Mia doesn’t say anything. “Jasper coming to get you?” Eric asks and I wonder if Jasper wasn’t would he offer to drive me home? Would Mia even allow that?

“Wait, the doctor?” Mia chimes in, suddenly interested.

“Yes,” I admit. I guess there’s no harm in Mia knowing that Jasper and I are supposedly dating. Eric snorts which tells me he still doesn’t believe us.

Just then, Jasper pulls up and Mia’s eyes light up at being able to witness this. Jasper rolls to a stop at the front of the building and I just want to slip in the car and jam out with Jasper and Debbie, but Jasper is stepping out of the car.

“Eric, Mia,” he greets.

“So, you two are dating,” Mia says raising her eyebrows at Jasper. “I knew I was right. I have a sixth sense for these kinds of things, don’t I Eric?” Mia says without waiting for a reply.

“You’re dating?” Debbie shouts with surprise. I cringe. This was not supposed to happen. Before A million thoughts cross my mind. Do I tell her no and risk Eric finding out that I’m lying, or do I lie to my daughter? The words fumble at my mouth. “I want Eric to be my daddy!” Debbie cries.

Now, I’m speechless.

“That will never happen,” Mia snaps, pointing a finger at Debbie who begins to cry.

“Look at what you’ve done now, Mia!” Eric hollers. A few co-workers quickly advert their gaze and quicken their pace to their car. I wish I was one of them and not part of this situation right now.

Normally I’d be yelling right back at Mia for making my daughter cry, but I actually agree with her. I put a comforting hand on Debbie. “We’ll talk about this later,” I tell her gently. I give Jasper an apologetic look and he gives a half smile as though to say kids, they say the darnest things.

“Let’s get back in the car,” Jasper tells Debbie as he crouches down to her level. “We can get back to singing,” Debbie is about to protest, but I give her a stern look and reluctantly she agrees.

“Can I have a word alone with Mia?” I ask Eric. I try to make it sound as though I’m going to reprimand her for yelling at my child.

“Be my guest,” Eric says sounding almost grateful for the break away from her.

I watch until Eric is far enough away, his footsteps fading the further he moves down the parking lot. Even still, I step closer to Mia and keep my voice low. She narrows her eyes at me, fully prepared to take whatever I dish out at her.

“I agree with you,” I start off by saying. Her eyes widen in surprise. “Eric and I will never be together,” I hear myself speak, but I still can’t believe that I’m actually agreeing with Mia.

“Glad you finally see it my wy,” she says crossing her arms. I think about correcting her, but I don’t.

“Maybe you can make it so Eric and I hardly see each other at work,” I say and as the words leave my lips they leave a bitter after taste. Mia smirks.

“It would be my pleasure,” She says.

“So, we have a deal then?” I ask. Mia tilts her chin and sizes me up.

“Sure, Annie. We have a deal,”