LITMIR.BIZ

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and Jasper accepted.

      Whistling, he continued toward The Brewside. But before he entered the coffeehouse he decided to take a moment. So he changed course and headed toward the water, Mr. Morris’s parting words ringing through his head.

      I used to hear stories about you. Heard you were quite the little party kid back in the day. Happy to see you’ve grown out of it.

      Well, he had been a lover of parties and the original good-time boy. But he’d also been just that—a boy. A kid. A teenager who’d been told from birth that his older brother would take over the family business. Sure, he’d been expected to work for Dumont Incorporated but he’d never been groomed to be in charge.

      After all, he was the “second” son, after Cam. Overlooked and undervalued at every turn. His mother had always said he was the most good-natured child she’d ever seen. Jasper liked to think he’d held on to that his whole life. He enjoyed seeing the glass as half-full, excelled at finding the positive. He’d never harbored jealousy toward his big brother. In fact, he’d worshipped Cam. Still, being the younger child had hurt. So he’d lived it up in high school. Why wouldn’t he? He knew he’d get into a good college thanks to his parents’ connections. Likewise, he knew he’d be employed after college.

      But as Mr. Morris said, he’d grown out of it. He’d been forced out of it, really.

      Thanks to Carissa.

      At the mere thought of her name, Jasper halted. Standing on the dock, he looked out at the bay, gripping the railing hard.

      When was the last time he’d allowed himself to think about Carissa Blackwell? He shook his head.

      Oh please. You think about her all the damn time.

      Of course he did. She’d been the single most beautiful female he’d ever laid eyes on. She’d also been his first love. And with one cutting remark after graduation, she’d changed the course of his life.

      Like most of the kids from his graduating class, they’d all known one another since birth. Bayside was a small town. About 90 percent of the classmates he walked with to “Pomp and Circumstance” at eighteen had been in his nursery school class, too. Carissa was no exception.

      They’d continued to run in the same crowd throughout high school. They had both been popular. They were both involved in sports—he in baseball and she in cheerleading. Their parents had been friends and enjoyed the same kind of lavish lifestyles. They’d even lived on the same street.

      But they hadn’t crossed that line of romance until the summer before senior year.

      Jasper turned and gazed toward the beach. It had happened over there. Down on the sand after one of the town’s big festivals. A bunch of kids had built a bonfire. They’d both been hanging out, having some beers. Carissa used to drink wine coolers, he thought with a laugh.

      Jasper started walking toward that spot on the beach. He’d always thought she was gorgeous. Who hadn’t? She was like the quintessential California girl come to the East Coast with her long legs, golden skin, perfect pink lips and full blond hair that fell halfway down her back. Plus, she had those really intriguing gray eyes. To this day, he’d never seen eyes quite like hers.

      That night she’d been wearing sexy jean shorts and a little red tank top. They’d shared a glance, then a head nod. Next thing he knew he was sitting next to her on a log sharing her s’more. Didn’t take long for them to move their party of two farther down the beach where they’d shared one hell of a make-out session.

      Just like that, they’d become hot and heavy and completely inseparable during senior year. Until about a month after graduation. Carissa had been accepted to Northwestern and he was going to UPenn, just like his father. He could never think of Carissa without his mind going to that last fateful conversation.

      “Jasper, you aren’t serious about anything.”

      “What are you talking about? I’m serious about you.”

      She shook her head. “That’s not enough. You party all the time with your friends.”

      “So what? And anyway, they’re your friends, too.”

      “I know. But I’m just saying that there’s more to life than keg parties in the woods and making out in someone’s basement.”

      “I think we did a little more than make out.”

      She pointed at him. “See, you can’t even be serious now. Just like my dad,” she said under her breath.

      “I know you’re upset because your parents want to move away from Bayside...”

      “That doesn’t bother me. I want them to move away, actually.”

      “Why?”

      “Never mind, that’s not the point.” She flung her long hair over her shoulder.

      “Okaaaayyyy.” He would never understand girls. “Then, what is the point?”

      “You are relying on your parents’ money and connections to get you through life. You have no ambition and no drive. Do you think I want to be with someone like that? I don’t.” She looked at the ground.

      He felt like someone had slapped him across the face. “What are you saying?”

      “I don’t want to ever come back to Bayside. I’m so done with this town. I want someone who has goals and like, initiative and stuff,” She bit her lip. Even as she insulted him, there was sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jasper. You just don’t.”

      With that, she’d walked away with his heart.

      He’d tried to call her but she’d never answered. Her parents said she went to a prefreshman-year program at Northwestern. She’d wanted to get a jump on classes. Then her parents had moved away later in the year and she didn’t have a reason to return to Bayside anymore. He never saw her again.

      It was Jasper’s nature to find a bright side. But in truth, Carissa’s words stung. Not only did she break up with him, but she insulted his very character.

      It had taken some time. A lot of time. But eventually, the memory of Carissa’s words had kicked his butt into gear. She wanted someone with ambition and that’s what he’d decided to give her. Even if they weren’t actually together.

      His father’s name may have gotten him into college, but he worked his butt off once he got there. He joined a fraternity but when it was time for midterms or finals, he’d camp out at the library to make sure he kept his GPA up, finally graduating with honors. He never told his parents about applying to grad schools so they couldn’t influence the process.

      He’d come a long way from the irresponsible, somewhat reckless, carefree kid who was always the life of the party. Some people had called him foolish, but in Jasper’s mind he’d always been underestimated.

      At some point, though, all the hard work stopped being just for her. He’d become obsessed with doing the very best he could and in the process he’d become the head of Dumont Incorporated. If Carissa were here maybe he’d thank her. Especially after his victory tonight. But the odds of ever seeing Carissa Blackwell in Bayside again were slim to none.

      His phone made a little ding alerting him to a text message. He looked down to see his brother’s name. How’d it go with Morris?

      Jasper began texting back but something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a woman standing at the same location where he’d been before his little walk down memory lane. Fingers still poised over the keypad on his phone, he didn’t have time to text Cam back before his brother added, Either way, come over tonight. Let’s hang out and watch the game.

      Again, he began typing a reply but the woman reached her arms above her head and stretched. She was really beautiful. He peered closer and got a chill up the back of his neck.

      She looked familiar. Too familiar. Jasper gripped his cell harder and began walking

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