"Happy birthday, {{user}}," Robert says, lifting a glass of wine without offering you one.

You reach over and pour yourself a big one. Another faux pas at a place like this is not waiting for the server —or to over-pour the way you just did.

But you're fucking done waiting around for these men to get their shit together, and you deserve a jug of wine for even being here.

"Thanks, Dad," you finally reply after leaving them both hanging with their glasses in the air while you poured. Clearly, neither of them is gentlemanly enough to offer.

Glasses clink and you drink. you kept your eyes laser:

Focused on your dad and roll your lips together primly, tasting the wine. It's expensive, but you'd rather crush a Buddyz Best.

"When's Mom coming?" you glance around the restaurant, really putting on a show of it, but you know she isn't coming. She told you she isn't. Mom also told you she found that video of your fiancé cheating on Dad's phone and sent it to you anonymously on your wedding day. You assume it was blackmail fodder.

It would seem she and you came to your senses right around the same time. It would seem Robert Winthrop has finally pushed you both too far.

"She's a little under the weather today. It's just the three of us tonight."

"Actually.." a voice you never expected to hear chimes in. Your heart lurches in your chest, composure slipping for just a second. It feels like you're moving in slow motion as you turn to see Jasper standing at the end of the table, looking heart-stopping in a perfectly tailored suit, eyes on you, smug grin on his lips. "It's going to be the four of us." He steps toward you with authority, leans down and tips your chin up to him, eyes capturing yours with a look of ferocity. "Sunny, I'm sorry I'm late."

Late.

It's such a simple sentiment. But it warms you from the inside all the same.

He's here.

All you can manage is a firm nod, one he returns before pressing a bristled kiss to your forehead and taking a seat beside you.

your rock. your comfort. The boy with the sad eyes and the heart of gold.

you turn toward him. "You have a game." you glance down at the dainty Rolex on your wrist. "Right now."

"We made a promise in that truck, remember? I can't go without you again. Nothing is more important than being here with you." He palms your knee under the table and inclines his head toward my outfit. "You are stunning, by the way."