From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 45

A parking lot, one particular spot.

Ethan Carter took Olivia Bennett’s bouquet from her, tucked the flowers gently into the trunk, then circled around to open the passenger door with a flourish, shielding Olivia as she slid into the seat.

Jasper Lane, who’d been jogging after them, caught the whole scene from a distance.

He stopped short, a little out of breath, realizing there was no way to catch up now. Instead, he whipped out his phone and snapped a couple of quick photos.

As the black sedan glided out of the parking lot, Jasper stared at the images on his screen, a sly grin creeping across his face.

Finally, some real dirt. All that chasing was about to pay off.

Tonight, he thought, he’d be the one to send shockwaves through the Carter family’s perfect little world.

…

A crescent moon hung like a silver hook above the treetops, stars scattered across the velvet sky, lending a bit of life to the sleepy night.

At the Carter estate, the house glowed with warm light, peace and quiet settling over the grand old place.

Adelina Lane slipped quietly out of Lily George’s room, checked her watch, and had just sat down to nibble a slice of apple when Jasper Lane burst in from the yard.

His cheeks were flushed, eyes shining with excitement, a huge grin plastered on his face.

“Adelina!” he called, voice echoing through the foyer.

She poured him a glass of water, watching as he greedily gulped it down. She laughed, shaking her head. “What’s the rush? You running from a pack of wolves or something?”

Jasper, gasping, emptied the glass in no time, earning a playful smack on the arm from Adelina. “Slow down, kiddo.”

He didn’t seem to mind at all, just set the glass down and grinned wider.

“Oh, come on, Adelina,” Jasper pleaded, bouncing on his toes. He’d been practically bursting with this secret the whole way home.

Adelina relented, eyeing him with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Alright, fine. Tell me.”

“No, no—guess!” Jasper begged, nearly dancing with anticipation.

She sighed. “Alright, you got a girlfriend?”

“Nope.”

“Boyfriend, then?”

Jasper choked a little. “What? No!” He stared at Adelina, who looked utterly unfazed, as if she’d have been fine with either answer.

He realized, with some despair, that if he didn’t spill soon, she’d steer the conversation wildly off course. He fixed her with a look, his eyes pleading, desperate to reveal his bombshell.