Drake agreed. “You’re right. I’ll tell him to chill out and let her work her problems out on her own.”
They made it to the line. Noah and Alana stood in front of them. Alana turned and greeted them. She was wearing a pale yellow dress that stretched over her round stomach. Her hair was loose and she looked pretty.
“Hey, you two. I’m not sure the bar will close with my huge belly but this is my favorite ride.”
Jasmine laughed. “It will, you’ll see.”
Noah hugged his wife tightly. “We can kiss right here. We don’t need to make it to the top. I love kissing you anywhere.”
“Our first kiss was up there so many years ago,” Alana explained with a dreamy smile. “Next summer I’ll be a mom and will be hanging out in the kid’s circle. This is my last chance to kiss my man at the top of the world.”
Noah chuckled and disagreed. “We have Uncle Drake, Uncle Adam, and Uncle Ray and—”
“Okay, this baby has lots of relatives.” Alana laughed and rubbed her stomach softly. She leaned on her husband but looked at Drake. “So have you two quit fighting?”
Drake looked at Jasmine. Jasmine nodded. “Nancy is still being a pain though. She tried to say something to me yesterday but Tony growled and scared her away.”
Drake looked concerned. Alana waved her hand in the air. “Good for Tony. I know Nancy’s type. If she can’t get what she wants, then everyone has to be miserable. She lost Drake’s interest and probably wants him back now that his interest has moved away from her.”
The line moved on and they each got in the car. Jasmine heard Alana cheer when there was room over her baby bump. Jasmine giggled.
Drake pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I did warn Nancy to back off. I’m sorry she is still bothering you. I have never seen her act so crazy before.”
“It’s not your fault, Drake. Let’s not talk about her.”
Jasmine pointed out the moon and the stars. They were so bright against the black sky. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t compare to you,” he whispered in her ear.
Jasmine snuggled next to him and blinked back some tears. He was sweet. She wasn’t that pretty and some people were put off by her appearance. “Should I lose the earring?”
“I like it,” Drake insisted. “It fits you. I like you the way you are. Don’t change.”
“Nancy said you were embarrassed to be seen with me and that’s why you preferred her,” Jasmine said, her doubts falling away slowly.
Drake snorted. “She’s a damn liar and just wants to cause trouble. She likes all eyes on her and you are beautiful and sweet. I bet a lot of guys notice you and Nancy would hate that.”
Jasmine saw his sincerity and relaxed against him. “Thank you, Drake.”
She turned to him and kissed him. Drake deepened the kiss and it was so intimate. Yes, she felt lust around him, how could she not? He was so sexy. But there was more. Tenderness, intimacy, affection. Soon they were lost in each other and she forgot about where she was.
Jasmine felt dizzy when it was over. A feeling she was coming to associate with his kisses. She looked down and saw Alana and her husband kissing in the car below, absorbed in each other. Jasmine looked at Drake. She caressed his cheek and felt the stubble on his cheek. “This isn’t our first kiss but I think I will remember this when I am ninety and thinking back on my best days.”
Drake looked emotional and buried his face in her neck. “Me too,” he whispered.
They walked around the fair with Matt and Holly. Alicia and Ray had disappeared. Noah insisted it was time Alana got off her feet and rested. He bribed her with a caramel apple if she would just sit down. Alana gave in reluctantly.
Jasmine had so much fun. Drake won her a huge tiger and she squealed hugging the animal tightly. “I love him.”
“I’m jealous of the tiger,” Drake joked until Jasmine hugged him too.
Matt looked at Holly’s zebra and nodded with understanding. Holly gave him a shy smile and reached out to hold Matt’s hand.
It was a great night and the best part was Nancy was absent tonight.
Chapter 15
Jasmine met Holly and Alicia for lunch one afternoon. They had made it a habit to meet once a week, no matter what. The fair was over and life had settled down into a routine that Jasmine loved. She spent her days working with her aunt at the store. It had become a popular place and Kate was talking about hiring someone part time. She was getting out more with her friends and working six days a week didn’t hold much appeal for either of them.