Stormy Nights (Red Hook 3) - Page 26

Jasmine spent every moment Drake had off of work with him. She preferred having dinner at his place instead of going out. They cooked together and it was just another thing that brought them closer. The last month had been incredible and she felt closer to him than ever. Besides making love they spent a lot of time talking too. She loved discovering new sides of him. She felt more confident in the relationship. She knew she was in love with him but she hadn’t confessed her love out loud yet. Some days she thought she saw love in his eyes but he never said it either. Maybe they were both afraid.

“So what’s been going on?” Jasmine asked as she sat

down at the table. They met at the seafood restaurant her aunt recommended. Jasmine ordered a glass of ice water.

“Nothing but work,” Holly admitted, looking a little glum. Her hair was pinned up and she wore blue scrubs.

“No Matt?” Alicia teased her.

Holly frowned but her cheeks turned pink at the mention of his name. It was obvious she was just as enamored as Matt seemed to be. “My schedule has been crazy lately. We went to a movie one night and had dinner at the Hacienda another night. I like him a lot but we never seem to have the same days off.”

“He is crazy about you, Holly. I told him if he told me how beautiful your curls were one more time, I would duct tape his mouth. And I meant it,” Jasmine said.

Holly blushed. “I like him too. Adam says he doesn’t trust Matt but I don’t understand why. I know at first he looks so scary but now I like his size. I feel so safe with him. We’re taking things slow and getting to know one other. He wants me to meet his brother Tony.”

“Tony is really quiet but don’t let it put you off. That is just him.” Jasmine warned her after sipping on the water. It was another hot Texas day and Jasmine couldn’t wait for autumn.

Jasmine looked at Alicia who had been so quiet lately. Jasmine had a feeling it had to do with a guy. “How are you, Alicia? You okay? You seemed preoccupied.”

Alicia played with the fork, barely touching her salad. “I have been, sorry girls. I’m trying to work some stuff out in my head.”

“We’re here if you just want to vent.” Holly squeezed her hand and Jasmine took the other one. “Me too, Alicia. You and Holly are my first true friends. I’m here. Whatever you need, whenever. Bad Girls Club.”

“I’ll get my belly button pierced if you smile again.” Holly teased.

Alicia sniffed and giggled. “Thanks. You two mean a lot to me too. It’s too hard to talk about it right now. Give me time. On top of that my dad has been having some health issues so I worry about that too. Alana’s blood pressure is sky high. When it rains, it pours.”

“So what’s going on between you and Deputy Don Juan?” Alicia asked in a teasing voice.

Jasmine laughed. “We’re doing great. We’re both busy but we try to see each other at least three times a week. I am falling hard, girls, and it scares the shit out of me.”

“And Nancy?” Holly frowned, thinking of the troublemaker.

“It’s strange but I haven’t seen her around lately. I can’t believe she’d give up so easily,” Jasmine answered. She was glad but also felt like she was waiting for Nancy to pop out of a dark corner any minute.

“Drake was livid and told her off good. Well, that’s what I heard Ray tell my dad,” Alicia said. “Maybe she’s hiding until he cools off. Drake doesn’t get mad often but when he does watch out.”

“Hopefully she moved on.” Jasmine sighed, digging into her food.

They moved the conversation onto more casual things like work and shopping.

“I’ll see you two at the Fourth of July barbeque tomorrow. Work is calling my name,” Holly said, looking at her watch. She stood up and waved to them as she left.

“Is Drake taking you?” Alicia asked Jasmine.

Jasmine nodded. “Aunt Kate is coming too. I am excited. I love fireworks but the man I lived with in Fort Worth hated them so I never went to see them. I feel like a little kid again.”

“Why didn’t you go alone or with friends?”

Jasmine didn’t see judgment in her friend’s eyes just curiosity. That’s what she liked about Alicia. She was so open and non-judgmental. “He wouldn’t let me.”

“Did he abuse you?”

Jasmine shook her head. “Not physically, but verbally he would make me feel so guilty for wanting to do something without him that I would give in and stay home. I was weak. I guess that’s why I was so hesitant about getting involved with Drake. I feel so much more for Drake already. Drake isn’t like that, though. He encouraged me to join you all for our girl lunches. I am the one who gets worried. What if I became that weak-willed girl all over again? Ignoring my desires and thoughts just to please a man?”

“Did you love this man?” Alicia sipped on her tea and waited for Jasmine to answer. Jasmine had to think about it.

“I convinced myself I did, but it was more because I was afraid to be all alone. My mom died from cancer. My only relative lived far away. I was scared.” Jasmine only just realized it at this moment. Grant had been like a security blanket. It had never been about love.

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