Wednesday

Jasper was running late; he'd gotten caught up at the ranch and had left an hour behind schedule. He was speeding down the highway rather than his usual choice of backroads in his haste to get to the restaurant. His cousin was getting married in a few weeks, and her fiance's family was in town for the event.

Just a few miles out of town, he caught sight of a car on the side of the road, the hood popped open, and an extremely short woman was struggling to prop herself up to check out what was causing her problems.

Jasper groaned in mild annoyance; he couldn't just drive past and not offer assistance; what would his mama say if she found out? He shuddered at the thought.

He reluctantly pulled over, hoping Rosie would understand. "What seems to be the problem, little lady?" He called out as he walked toward her hands up to indicate he was no threat.

The action seemed unnecessary as when she turned her head to face him, relief flooded her expression. "Jasper, thank GOD. I have no idea what's wrong with this thing. Think I could hitch a ride to town?"

He was confused, positive he'd never seen this woman in his life, sure that he'd always remember someone as beautiful as her. She stood with one hand on her hip as she tapped quickly on her phone. Her short hair slightly ruffled from trying to fix the car. "My apologies, ma'am, but I can't seem to recall having met you."

"Hahaha, very funny, Jas. Seriously though, we're both super late, and the toe truck is already on its... way..." She looked up to see his apologetic smile and doubled over in laughter.

"Holy shit, you really don't remember me, do you? That's too fucking funny."

"I'm sorry I don't, but if you'd let me buy you a drink, I'd love to catch up." Peter was always trying to get back into the dating game, and this girl was breathtaking standing on the side of the highway in her black dress and high heeled boots.

"Are... are you trying to flirt with me now?" A wicked grin made its way across her face causing his stomach to do summersaults. The look, while a bit nerve-wracking, was incredibly cute. "Tell you what, when you can remember who I am, if you still want to ask me out, I'll go on a date with you."

Oh my, she was cute as a button and liked games. She was on; he'd get that date. "Do I get any hints?"

"Oh no, you have to figure it out on your own. Now help me into your ridiculously oversized truck... like you used to."

"Ma'am," He chuckled as he lifted her up, "I reckon that's a hint of sorts."

"It's whatever you want it to be, cowboy." He waited for her to get comfortable in the vehicle before making his way to the driver's side, starting the truck just as she was putting away her cell.

Jasper tried questioning her the entire ride to the restaurant. She had quickly given him a set of ground rules; he couldn't ask her about her life before age twenty, her family, or how she knew anyone in town. So he asked about her line of work, hobbies, etc. He found out she was a photographer but was trying to get her sketches more widely noticed. He learned that she liked to dance, she loved horror movies, and her favorite food was mint chocolate chip ice cream.

She actively tried giving out as little information as possible most of her responses basic generic information; the joke was on her though. They were headed to the same restaurant; Jasper was sure his sister would at least recognize this girl giving him an easy win, oh how wrong he was. He felt lucky as when they entered the restaurant, the first person to greet them was none other than his little sister Charlotte.

"It's great to see you again!" His ever excited sibling hugged the girl, her eyes darkening as she turned on Jasper. "You're an absolute idiot. How could you not remember her? And after what you did..."

"What exactly did I do?" He pleaded; typically, Charlotte was the first person to bail him out when he got in trouble; he was counting on it this time.

"No, I'm not helping you this time, bro. You deserve it." With a flip of her hair, she left him standing there.

"What did you do?" He leaned down to whisper to the mystery girl. "How does my sister already know about our deal?"

"I may or may not have asked the bride to inform her guests of our little arrangement. Or did you think I'd let you off that easy? You may not remember, but I am a formidable opponent, Mr. Whitlock."

"Game on, little lady." He smirked down at her; it had been far too long since he'd had anyone on his level to compete with. This would be fun.

He was preparing to ask more questions when Emmett came bounding up to the pair picking up the girl into a giant bear hug. He set her down before turning to Jasper. "Thanks for giving this one a ride, man. I keep telling her to replace that old car and get a truck."

"I'll die before anyone catches me driving one of those monstrosities you country boys think are so cool." She'd answered with an eye roll. "By the way, your lift kit makes you look like a douchebag. Besides, that cars got sentimental value." He was a bit offended by her comment; he did love his truck after all. The list went mama and Charlotte, his horses, and his truck. Jasper was a simple man.

"You bought it off a farm for $300 five years ago. What sort of sentimental value could it possibly have child?" Emmett had pressed a valid question; most people's first car in the area were used junk cars purchased from farms. People usually bought something better as soon as they could afford it. Jasper wondered why the girl found hers so special.

"Okay, not a child. I'm twenty-five, so get that straight. You don't know the whole story behind how I got that car, so you can just move right along." Emmett laughed at her and made his way to greet another guest; Alice's eyes seemed to lose focus concerning him just a bit.

"You alright, Ma'am?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, worried that she might fall.

"Yeah, just remembering something." Another mysterious response, this woman was very intriguing. He liked it quite a bit.

The rest of the dinner had been frustrating; he followed her around as people greeted her, hoping someone might slip up and give out her name. She'd greeted quite a few of his friends, and unfortunately, none of them were of any help. In fact, he'd been called an idiot far too many times for his liking. He'd had a glimmer of hope just once when Maria, presumably in her excitement over being recently engaged, had uttered the first syllable of the girl's name.

"So it starts with an A then." He'd smirked after Maria had moved along, thinking he was onto something.

Towards the end of the night, Rosalie had pulled her to the side, giving Jasper one of her, 'I will kill you in your sleep looks.' he regularly received from his cousin. Pulling the girl away to talk in the back of the rental space.

While he was waiting for her to come back, Emmett had passed by; Jasper asked his close friend to let him know who this girl was. He hadn't been expecting Emmett to tell him that he wouldn't give him anything and that he meant no offense by it but hoped he lost. Jasper was left confused and offended.

When the girl returned, it was with great news, she was one of Rosalie's wedding guests rooming at the ranch. He'd have ample time to talk to her and win that date.