Roses Are Red (J)

I’ve never been more nervous for anything in my life, but we’d prepared for this. After months of agonizing details—location, guest list, even flower choices—I was left standing awkwardly as we waited for her to be ready. So many people were present for this, and I couldn’t help but look at my side at the empty chair between my father and sister. We had both decided not to invite my mother, but damn if it didn’t burn to know why.

The music starts and I can’t help but smile. It’s our song, the one we made all those months ago. Flowers prelude her arrival, highlighting the notes as she appears—an angel in the flesh.

“You. . .” the song says.

Her eyes are bursting with joy, beaming the golden light of the bright and the beautiful.

“You are the one that I love.”

She is bursting with energy. I can see it in the way her fingers drum against the roses in her hand. I can’t wait to take those hands into mine.

“You are the one who completes me—”

I didn’t waste a second in pulling her up to the altar. My heart was full; bursting with the knowledge that this woman?

She was my girl.

“I need to see you smile.”

I reached behind her ear, brushing lightly against her skin. The giggle that followed was better sound than any song could produce.

“Jasper!” She leaned back from me. “You—”

“Jasper?”

I jumped as my girlfriend—not fiance—spoke.

She narrowed those golden beauties at me. “What were you thinking about.”

Our hypothetical wedding. I couldn’t say that, though.

“How sexy you look in jewelry.”

The first hurdle I’d faced was what to buy her. I had a savings account, but damn if I couldn’t afford anything satisfying at the places I’d gone to. This didn’t have to be a wedding ring anyway—we still had a long way to go before the actual ceremony—so why not get creative?

“Oh? Is my Sunshine buying me a gift?” She smirked. “Maybe I should get you something, too.”

I sighed. “Your presence is the best gift of all.”

“That’s so cheesy.”

“So was breakfast.”

I could get a necklace, but Grace was the type to keep it in a box. I wanted something she could wear daily, which also ruled out bracelets. What was something she used every day? Her phone? No, a chain was both undergoing it and extremely ineffective. It had to be worn somewhere people could see it.

“Well, if you’re good, I’m going out to talk to the police.” She frowned. “Have you seen my hair tie?”

With my phone number up for grabs, law enforcement could now put together a list of suspects. I’d given Grace the names of everyone in my contacts, and they’d called this morning requesting one of us to come to the station. I told her I could handle it since she took care of the first part, but she brushed me off.

“If they’ve got something on the bitch who did this, I want first dibs on her.”

God save the fool who pissed my girlfriend off.

“Found it!”

I chuckled. “Have fun, Sky.”

This was perfect. If I planned everything now, she’d be none the wiser when she got back. I had some connections for custom jewelry at better prices, so that wasn’t an issue. Inspiration had kicked down the doors, so all I had to do now was find a time. I opened my phone for a calendar and got badgered with messages again.

U suck. —So did your spelling.

I’d be better 4 her. —Would you?

I’m sorry you have to go through this. —Well, that was nice, at least.

It never ceased to annoy me that anyone would go to such length, and for what? Some fucking clout? This was awfully dedicated to be a ‘five minutes of fame’ thing. But I’d racked my head day and night to think of who would bother?

“This is a cut-throat industry. Some people will do anything to stay in it.”

Past Fabi had a point. Was there anyone from Gracie’s work with my number? Her manager had it, but he’d been drowning in media bullshit so Grace didn’t have to worry about it, especially now. No, it didn’t make sense for any of them to do it. All that would give them is more work, and they were all busy enough as it is.

Especially F—

Shit, I got off-topic! I had to get it together or this proposal would never be planned. I looked at the calendar with a frown. Since Grace had officially taken time off—for both of our healths—she wasn’t needed for many events. The only thing on the docket was the Music Gala in a week. That was cutting it close, but it couldn’t hurt to try.

What if she wanted something small? No, I knew how much she loved flaunting me. On our last dinner date, she’d introduced me as ‘my exquisite boyfriend’ to everyone, including the fans who’d approached her for an autograph. We hadn’t done that in a while. And what about a gift? When was the last time I gave my girlfriend something for the fun of it? I really had my work cut out for me, but I knew it would be worth it in the end.

“Do you, Sir Jasper Pastier—”

Was I rushing into things?

“Jasper,” I hear myself saying. “Just Jasper.”

“Do you, Jasper, take Grace Skybain as your lawfully wedded wife?”

No, I’d never been more sure of anything in my life.

“I do.”

He turns to the star of my life. “And do you, Grace Skybain, take Jasper as your lawfully wedded husband?”

I just hoped she felt the same way.

“I—”

Ring!

Why was my wedding ringing?

It’s your phone, dumbass.

Was it another asshole out for a fight? I didn’t mind hashing out another round—it was a great stress reliever. Maybe it was my jewel contact. This was a little fast, but Drew had never been one for fluff. Yet the caller ID showed ‘Starfire’ and I couldn’t help but smile. It was the result of one of our late-night conversations. I always called her a passionate soul, and what represented that more than fire? The star was an easy match.

“Did you miss me that much, Starfire?”

“J-Jasper?”

My smile vanished. What the hell had happened to make my Sky’s voice waver like that? Fuck, had someone followed her to the station? I tried to remember if her location was on. I had to help her, no matter what. But this didn’t sound like fear.

Why was my Sky sad?

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Do you need me to come get you?”

“No, no, it’s not that.” I wished I could kiss her tears away through the phone. “We found out who. . . Who doxxed you.”

This was good news, wasn’t it? Now that we had a culprit, we could work on getting justice. But how could I say that when she was clearly distraught over the results? Perhaps talking about it would help her feel better?

“Who was it?”

“It’s—” She hiccupped.

Come on, brave girl. Let it out.

“It’s Fabi.”

Shit.

Her best friend in and out of work, the woman who always made time for us. She’d called us her favorite people to work with, like we were special. To know that all meant nothing to her sucked, but it had to burn for Grace. I couldn’t imagine the pain she must be feeling.

“I’m on my way.”