I nodded. "Okay. Do you want to sleep for a while? Work will take hours so I just want to take a power nap."
He smiled at me. "You go ahead. I'll catch up with some reading. Will wake you after twelve."
Putting my phone away because I did not want to think about Jasper's text anymore, I snuggled with Cole, inhaling his clean, familiar smell and falling asleep on his chest as he buried his nose in a book.
****
Three weeks went by. Yes. Three long, agonizing weeks where Jasper and I tried our best to avoid each other. It was back to being all polite and distant again. If I was alone in a room, he did not enter and vice versa. I slept in my own bed. Sometimes Cole slept with me and other times, with Jasper. If Cole happened to be at work and Jasper and I were free, either he left the house or I did. No touching. No talking. Nothing. It was as if those two exciting and beautiful days had not even existed between us. Jasper could be very cruel when he chose to be. I knew that from the start so then, why did it still hurt so much?
Cole did not comment on the situation at all. He never asked us any questions. I figured he was relieved we had ended things and he had simply decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Even though it killed me to treat Jasper like he meant nothing, I never resented Cole for it. He gave me so much love and attention, it was hard to be dissatisfied. He even amped up on the sex, adding more kink to our usual lovemaking.
And I always knew Cole was Jasper's heart and soul. Jasper Wells would kill for his lover and he would die for him as well because he always kept his promises and he hadn't made any to me. Only to Cole. I could not resent him for that either. My initial anger had faded, replaced only by heartbreak.
My birthday came and Cole surprised me with new paint supplies and canvases as presents. He then took me shopping and we spent the entire day eating out, cruising through the streets of Milan, going sightseeing and then spending the night at Milano Di Paradise, a luxury hotel where he spoiled me with flowers, chocolate, expensive wine and my favourite of all, pizza. We took a long, sensual bubble bath and had lots of amazing sex.
Cole made sure I enjoyed myself and was happy. But I thought of Jasper alone at the apartment, probably popping open a new bottle of scotch and watching a Batman cartoon and my heart ached at the image so much, I almost sent him a drunk text.
Something was missing from this fairytale but I was the only one who seemed to acknowledge it.
The next morning, I said goodbye to Cole as he left for work straight from the hotel while I checked out late and came home. Without even checking the apartment, I knew it was empty. Jasper's presence was so tangible, I did not have to look to know whether he was around or not. Quietly, I went to my room and dumped my overnight bag on the bed.
I paused when my eyes landed on a small, rectangular box in the middle of the bed with a note attached to it. With trembling hands, I reached for it and opened the note.
It was Jasper's handwriting in bold, slanting strokes.
***
Skye,
Happy Birthday.
I wish I could have made it special for you but I wasn't too worried because I knew Cole would cover all the bases.
I also know we're not supposed to be communicating on a personal level but I wanted to give you something so you wouldn't think I'm a complete asshole. Hope you like it.
Jasper.
***
I did not open the present. Instead, I sat on the bed and cried for a long time, the note crumpling in my clenched fist.
Jasper...
I ached for him. I wished I could hold him and never let go. I wished I could thank him the same way I thanked Cole for doing nice things for me. With loving smiles and passionate kisses. Where was he? He knew Cole's schedule and mine too. He knew I would come home alone and find the present. And he left so we would not meet.
Sniffing quietly, I opened the box and then cried some more when I saw the book. The latest release from one of my favourite YA fantasy authors. Crystal Reynolds. The book was called Blade of 'O'Hara and I had been waiting to buy a hard cover special edition after I had saved up enough.
"Damn it, Jasper," I bit out and punched my pillow. Why couldn't you have just ignored my birthday? Why did you have to show me you still care?
I had to conduct painting lessons for two clients later that day so I got ready and left around noon. Halfway through my lesson with Bianca Martinez, a twenty three year old client, I received a text from Cole.
Is it okay if we go out for drinks tonight to Armaan's? - Cole.
I frowned at the message. We? We as in all three of us or just him and I? The three of us had not been out together since that trip to Olivia's in Finale Ligure. I wasn't up for this but Cole had been so amazing yesterday, I did not want to seem like a party pooper. He talked about his partner, Armaan, sometimes and I deduced the guy was all right. Fun and easygoing. They were on pretty friendly terms now. The guy lived in Pavia with
