“No, you couldn’t have. It’s freezing.” Jasper spoke exactly like someone who assumed it was his personal responsibility to take care of everyone around him. I’d been watching him these past few weeks, and the boy who’d liked to help his parents with chores had grown into the adult who never said no and was always there with an offer to help whether it was his family or Kellan or me. As much as I liked being in that circle, I also found myself wanting to take care of him too.

“Well, I appreciate it. Maybe there’s something I can do for you?”

“We’ll see.” Jasper’s tone was decidedly flirty, and while I hadn’t meant it as a sexy thing, I wasn’t turning down those ideas either.

“You’re right about freezing.” I tried to adjust his heater, which was only marginally more functional than his stereo. “I’m ready for some sun.”

“Me too. Of course, the sun and I have a love-hate relationship.” Jasper laughed as he stopped for a red light. Saturday night traffic was predictably bad, but I didn’t mind the extra time with him.

“I remember some of your terrible sunburns growing up.”

“Yup. But I’m so ready for warmth.”

“Oh, I can keep you warm.” I was still testing this whole flirting-back thing, but I liked how it made my chest expand, like I needed extra room to contain these light feelings.

“Of that I have no doubt. Thanks to you, I had rather…heated dreams last night.”

“Hey, you’re the one searching out sexy drawings, not me.” I lived for his texts lately, both the ones with and without images. They weren’t quite sexting, but they weren’t all G-rated either. I liked the flirting and also the little snippets of his life, like him mentioning being tired from classes and work.

“We need to keep you properly inspired.” Jasper waggled his eyebrows at me right before turning into a neighborhood of stately older homes near the campus.

“You are. I’m totally inspired.” I shifted in the seat, needing to move away from the flirting if we were almost to our destination. “And in other art news, I finished the drawing for Chase and his dad. Think they’ll be there this week? Wait. Am I invited to cosplay? Didn’t mean to presume.”

“Neptune is always welcome. You too.” Jasper’s voice was far warmer than the air in his car. “And I’ll call tomorrow and find out if he’s been discharged yet. If he has, my mom has an address for them. We sent cookies and some Odyssey cards for Chase at Christmas.”

“Your family is always so nice.” I wanted to be more like that too. Thoughtful. The kind of person who thought before they acted.