JPOV

"Why do you have to go where he wants?" Char said while I put on my jacket. I didn't want to wear a suit. I was fine going in my jeans and a t-shirt but Ethan wanted to meet to at an upscale restaurant downtown with a pretty strict dress code. Although I had to admit, I didn't look too bad in the charcoal gray suit with my white dress shirt. I had opted out of a tie and if the restaurant had a problem with that, then Ethan could pout all he wanted, but we would be talking in the parking lot.

"It's where he chose," I told her.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "He just has to find the most expensive place to do this."

"Exactly." I laughed. I liked that I have finding it easy to laugh or smile genuinely since I came to the decision to leave Ethan and the love I had for him in the past.

"Think you should go with a tie?"

I gave my sister-in-law a look and she giggled. "I ain't going to church," I drawled. "If the dress code in that place doesn't like this, then they can…"

"Okay!" She laughed. "I know you're probably gonna say you and Ethan can have your talk in the parking lot."

I nodded. "That's exactly what I was going to say."

Char giggled and shook her head at me. She had just woken up from her nap after the draining talk we had earlier. If Peter knew I had lost it in a sad way with Char while she was in this delicate position, he would lose it and kick my ass for stressing her out which then in return would make her mad at him for kicking my ass and I didn't want the problem so I was doing all I could to keep her smiling since she woken up.

She had barged into the bathroom while I was in the shower, frightening me. But she waved off my shock at her sudden appearance as nerves and told me it was no big deal since she had seen me naked before. I rolled my eyes and relaxed a bit and got to talking to her, eventually telling her about the call I made to Ethan and meeting up with him to warn him to keep his distances from Edward.

"Fuck yeah!" Char shouted happily when I was through. I turned the water off and she threw a towel at me, telling to cover that thing up and stop trying to scare her before leaving me laughing my butt off in the bathroom while I dried off.

Char had never been the shy one. Peter and I had known her since we were all younger. We were good friends until Peter turned eighteen and Char turned sixteen and he stopped seeing her as the rude little runt that always followed us around. Instead he saw her as a beautiful girl he just had to have in his life. To me, Char was and always would be the little sister I always wanted.

She ran her hands over the shoulders of my suit, bringing me back to the present, while she prepped me for lunch with Ethan. "Remember, don't fall for his tricks or pouts, this is about stepping forward. Moving on with your life. Hopefully with Edward." She added with a girlish giggle.

"You're really rooting for Edward, aren't you?"

"Of course!" she said excitedly. "Can you imagine having Edward fucking Cullen as family? The guy is the epitome of hot. He is what hot should be!"

"So this isn't as much about my happiness as it is about you and Edward becoming family and buddies, is it?" I smiled.

She smacked my arm. "Don't try it, Whitlock!"

I laughed and jumped away when she tried to hit me again.

"You know your happiness matters to me. But this is also about Becky Smalls from back home, you remember her, right? She thought I was a little boy because my breasts weren't as huge as her watermelons back then. Do you know she thinks I have Peter trapped in a loveless marriage. If only she knew how loving your brother can be. I mean look at me!" She rubbed her swollen stomach.

"Please don't tell me things like that." I pretended to want to vomit and Char rolled her eyes at me. I was just hanging around for a few more minutes before I left for the late lunch with Ethan.

"Anyways!" Char said, ignoring my protest about not wanting to know about her and my brother's bedroom business. "Can you imagine how crazy it would drive her to know I knew a very, very sexy God of a model named Edward Cullen whom she is lusting over?"

"Char, I'm your best friend and I know Peter probably doesn't even remember Becky. But I'm curious. How do you know how she knows about Edward?"

Char shrugged with a mischievous look on her face. "We aren't from under a rock, Jasper. It's just a small town outside of Houston. They have the internet."

Her speech told me one thing. I sighed as I closed my eyes and rubbed my temple. "Char, did you hack her social media?"

"Just for a few things," she said like it was no big deal. I opened my eyes, giving her an incredulous look which she chose to ignore. "Anyways, she has tons of pictures of Edward. At first, it worried me and I wanted to think she was his stalker so I could use my taser on her ass, but she's too dumb to stalk him."

"Sweet Jesus, Char!"

She waved me off dismissively and continued, "Oh my God, Jasper, some of her comments on Instagram and Facebook about how sexy he is and what she would do to him and how she didn't care if he was gay, and how it was because he had never had a real woman like her, made me want to throw up a little. I think I did throw up. Anyway most of her stuff is just embarrassingly funny."

I didn't say anything for a while. I just gave her a long, hard look. I wanted her to realize she was wrong for doing what she did; which could be a hard task, because Char was too stubborn to admit when she was wrong, but I had to give it a shot.

"What?" she asked, pretending like she didn't know what the look was about. "On come on, Jasper! She was a bitch to me and I'm pregnant and irritated and I want to go on this date with you to see Ethan so I can punch him in the nose and I know you'll say no so I'm stuck here, bloated, hungry and want to kick some ass but I can't. Just allow me to use my skills for a little fun. So rest well knowing that I'll kick Becky "Watermelon Tits" Smalls' ass if she ever comes within an inch of Edward. Pregnant or not, Watermelon Tits is going down." She babbled and then giggled like a mad person.

We left my bedroom and headed for the kitchen with Char still babbling about Becky and commenting on some of the messages she had memorized from Becky's posts. I'd admit, they were funny, but I warned Char. She should stay away from Becky's posts and focus on Edward and the work we were doing for him. She promised she would. But I knew it would be hard. Once Char dug her claws into something it was hard to get her to let go. I considered letting Peter know so he could talk to her. Maybe.

I knew how hurt she was by Becky back then. Becky used to tease Char every chance she got. She would tell Char a lot of hurtful things and they had cut my sister-in-law deep. Becky's favor tie thing to tease Char about back then was her slow progress as a girl and because, she, Becky, matured at an early age so she saw it fit to throw it in the faces of girls like Char. They was even more tension between them because, if my memory served me right, Becky had a crush on Peter, who wouldn't give her the time of day. He used to tell me she was annoying and he found it easier to want to hide from her than face her. And since things were very different with Char, as she was our friend, Becky became vengeful and used Char's boyish body against her. But as Char grew up, she filled out and my brother took notice and the rest was history and would remain so if I could get Char to stop hacking Becky Smalls social media accounts.

"Aren't you supposed to be leaving?" Char said, her face stuffed with food. She had made herself some sandwiches and was currently jamming half of one down her throat.

"Yeah." I smiled. "Will you be okay?"

"Will you?" she countered with a cocked brow.

I smiled before answering. "I think I will be."

The drive to the restaurant was easy. I thought a lot about what I would say and even how Ethan would try to counter it. I knew him well enough to know what to expect. I wasn't going into this meeting under any delusion of his love for me. There wasn't enough of it then and I was certain there won't be any of it there now. I had spent my past telling myself lies. It was time to face the truth.

I pulled up in front of the restaurant and got out of my Audi. I had decided to take my car instead of my truck. I could say I don't know why I did, but I knew why I did it. Ethan responded to money and sophistication. So right now, I wasn't a bodyguard, I was a businessman. From the suit I was wearing, to the way I carried myself, I would be going into this ready for whatever dirty trick he was going to play.

I gave my name and was guided to my table. I shook my head and smiled as I sat in a secluded part of the restaurant. It had a very intimate feel to it. Ethan wasn't even here yet and he was already hard at work on his tricks. It felt good to be aware of everything now. Not being under his spell was allowing me to see things very clearly. I should have woken up and given up on my feelings for him long ago.

I perused the menu and then checked my phone for messages. I had it on vibrate and if anything happened I would be out of here without hesitation. Just because Edward didn't want me in his house, didn't mean I would be slacking off. I had never done that while on a job. Even when we went to my house for those two days, I still on the job. His safety came first. There was still a threat out there. Someone, possibly deranged, was stalking him and it could lead to bad things happening if we weren't careful.

Aside from our personal matter, as I sat here, I worried about leaving him alone. I admittedly got used be close to him, and I should have considered the ramification of my actions when I gave into my lust with him, but I refused to take it back. We could only go forward from here.

I felt a kiss on my cheek and jumped away, looking up into the smiling face of my ex-husband as he gave me a lustful gaze. "Don't you look good," he said as he took a seat across from me. He called a waitress over and promptly ordered us drinks. A martini for himself and a Whiskey sour for me.

I wouldn't be drinking anything.

We said nothing until the drinks arrived. He kept his eyes on me, openly admiring me and I let him. I wanted feel good, having him look at me this way, but I felt nothing. There was a hint of sadness. Yeah, I was a little sad because I now saw how shallow he really was. I was just a handsome guy and a fine suit who he was hoping to screw when lunch was over. That was it. Not the man he once loved or shared a past with. I felt like I was alone just like I did in our marriage if I were being truthful to myself.

Look at how he was acting now. Like I was a piece of meat. I really thought this guy loved me? That he was devoted to me? What was I thinking?

"You always looked amazing in a suit, Jasper." He smirked then took a sip of his martini and licked his lips in a teasing way.

"You look great too," I said with a halfhearted smile. "You always looked good in whatever you wore."

He blushed at my praise. "And what about without? How did I look naked?" He leaned forward, keeping his eyes locked on mine as he licked his lips while using his fingertip to play with the rim of his glass.

I chuckled. "Like I said, you always looked good. It doesn't what you are or aren't wearing. I was in love. I only saw the good."

He scoffed and backed off. "Is that why you called me here? I thought this lunch was going to be fun. At least we could have a happy ending."

"Lunch isn't over yet, is it?" I retorted and got a wide smile.

As if.

I called the waitress who had served us the drinks over and told her we were ready to order.

"I must say, I like this take charge attitude," Ethan commented.

I smirked and watched him take a deep breath. "Just you wait. There's more to come."

Our lunch passed with Ethan talking a lot about himself. He always did love attention, but I was the one who asked. Deep down inside I always wanted to know what his life was like after he left me. And from what I have gathered, I was the one who was heartbroken over our parting. Ethan didn't go through sleepless nights or days where he didn't want to eat or breathe like I did. While I had been in agony, he was out in the world, living it up with new guys, just having fun.

Once, he stopped his boasting to ask, "Doesn't it hurt to hear that I was living well after we parted?"

I could have lied, but that would be the old Jasper; the one who thought Ethan loved him. "Yes. It does hurt. But I oddly feel better knowing that you were living well while I was in pain. It shows me who loved who more."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "It's always about love with you," he said exasperatedly. "Don't you just want to have fun? Not be tied down to one person for the rest of your life? Isn't that boring?" He went silent for a moment then he added, "You wanted the fairy tale so I pretended." The way he said it, with a shrug of his shoulder and then continued to eat as if he hadn't just ripped my heart out, killed me.

"You pretended?" I scoffed, wanting him to explain.

He rolled his eyes again and looked up at me with an annoyed look. "Yes, Jasper," he replied as if he was speaking to a five year old. "You wanted the whole fairy tale crap so I gave it to you."

I laughed in disbelief. What an asshole! "So you marrying me was what?"

I could guess the answer but I wanted him to say it. Peter was always making a point of it, but I needed to hear from the horse's mouth. I wanted Ethan to admit that he only wanted me around at that time so I could provide for him financially since I had the ability to. And my seeing it as love, I needed the truth so I could realize what a moron I had been.

He seemed a little taken aback by my question so I smiled. It felt good to put him on edge. "Well, that was…" he started with a nervous chuckle.

"A money thing?" I finished for him.

He sighed in relief and laughed shakily. "Jasper, what is this about?"

"it's about knowing the truth and finally coming to terms with it," I explained with a smile then I grew serious as I continued, "It's also about you keeping a personal distance from my client. I'm working to keep Edward Cullen safe."

Ethan smiled broadly as if he thought he had an edge over me. "I work with his father and from what I hear, maybe this stalker thing is a figment of his imagination."

I sat back with a smirk before shaking my head at him. I didn't engage in what you would call office gossip and I wasn't about to divulge any information that could threaten my client's life. "I don't know what you're referring to. All I know is I'm here to do a job and sometimes it requires cooperation from Edward's colleagues and peers. I will ensure my client's safety above all else."

Ethan grew serious as well. "Why are you telling me this?" he said with anger in his tone.

"Why are you being so defensive?"

He laughed. "Am I a suspect, baby?" He batted his eyelashes at me and again I congratulate myself for feeling nothing at the gesture. In the past, I would have probably swooned a bit, because I would be thinking about how he loved me.

"Did I say you were?"

He stopped his little flirts sat back as well. "Why are we having this lunch?"

"To close a chapter on my life and to also warn you to stay away from Edward," I said without hesitation and it felt good to. "Stop getting in his way." I further warned him. "Stop going out of your way to upset him."

He looked incredulous. "I did that?"

"Don't play coy either," I said bluntly.

We sat in silence for a while. I let Ethan analyze me. I knew what he was looking for while he stared me down and I wasn't hiding.

"You want him," he stated.

I chuckled. "Doesn't everyone? Isn't that the appeal to him? Edward is a very attractive man. Suave, handsome, with an incredible body. Who wouldn't notice him? I'm a man, aren't I? I'm alive, aren't I?"

In his eyes, I could see disbelief. He didn't expect me to answer him the way I did. Good. I wanted him to know that someone who knew him well would be around to stop his foolishness.

He looked defeated because I wouldn't be the toy he once knew in this situation. But Ethan could be very defiant.

"Say what you will, Jasper," he said with a cheeky grin. "You want that boy more than you're admitting. Are you going to fall head over heels for him too? Good luck. Edward's a playboy. He'll use you up and spit you out like…"

"Like you," I finished for him as I called the waitress over the bill. "I came to this lunch to make sure you understand your place in my life and in Edward's affairs. It's none of your business." I glared at him.

"You'll always want me more than anyone else and you know that," he seethed. I was getting under his skin but I wasn't about to sit around discuss anything else with him. As of today, he would be nothing but my past.

"I won't. And I can make myself forget you because the way I loved you, you never loved me. The way I treated you, you never treated me that way. I understand love and devotion to a fault. You glorify fun and betrayal. You only do what suits you. So how can I be the honest, caring man that I am, while going around and fooling myself into believing you would ever come back to me or even love me because you never did. You only used me."

"Jasper…" he tried.

I cut him off, getting up from my seat to lean over the table and him in an intimidating way. "I don't need to know what you're about to say. Keep it to yourself. And as for Edward, do not interrupt a set like what you did in Monterrey. When you screw with my client, you're screwing with me and nothing gets between me and my money." I found myself pulling back while Ethan cleared his throat and tried not to look nervous. I knew I came across as dangerous to him but I didn't care as long as I got my point across.

I ended lunch, paid and left a tip for the waitress and walked out of that restaurant in relief.

Finally, this chapter of my life was closed.

The drive back home was done with ease. But when I got something else was waiting to upset me. I saw Peter's truck in the driveway. I got out of my car and shrugged off my jacket, throwing it over my arm and walking to my front door. When I got inside, I spotted Edward first. He looked at my suit in question and then he looked away from me.

"What's going on?" I asked. Char was working from the couch while telling Peter to pass her things. "What's going on?" I asked again.

"Edward got a call more than once from the stalker and he failed to tell us," Peter said without looking up.

I looked at Edward. I was pissed. "Did you get a call this morning?"

"Yes," he said in an almost too quiet tone.

"And you made a fuss for me to leave?" I went around him and got in his face. "You're not leaving here."

"What?"

I didn't answer him. "Peter, call his house. Get his things, get his dog. He's staying here until I get this guy."

"You can't do that!" Edward said, getting into my face.

"Watch me."