Jasmine Once the soup came, the conversation turned to lighter topics. “So, what professional baseball team would you like to play for?” Jasmine asked, blowing across her Lobster Bisque and then swallowed it. It was delicious and one of her favorite soups. “The St. Louis Cardinals,” he answered right away, then took a sip of his soup. Her head snapped up. “Seriously?” He nodded, smiling. “Yeah, why?” She shrugged. “I thought you might say the Miami Marlins. Why St. Louis?” He let out a deep breath. “Because their fans are like no other I’ve seen. The Cardinals could be completely losing a game, but the fans will still cheer them on.” He talked about the players as Jasmine listened, intrigued. She knew she wanted to become a physical therapist to help people. But being a sports therapist might be good, too. She would still be helping people. Before this moment, she hadn’t ever really thought about it. But then again, Zain was causing her to think about a lot of things lately. S
Jasmine The next few weeks flew by with Jasmine working with Zain in Uncle Miguel’s food truck, surfing while we weren’t working, and getting everything ready to go to college and Las Vegas. But right now, Jasmine was thinking more of Las Vegas than going off to college. Zain was leaving the next day to get everything ready for her, and she had planned to meet him there the next day. She just hoped nothing happened to derail their plans. At the end of their shift, Zain wiped his hands on a hand towel. “Jasmine, my mother, and family are having a farewell party for me tonight before I leave for college, and I want you to come.” “Of course she’ll be there!” Miguel chirped, smiling as he shot a glance over at Jasmine. “I just hope you two can find a way to work this out. You know, it would be a whole lot simpler if you were going to the same college—” “Uncle Miguel,” Zain cut him off. “Everything’s going to work out.” He let out a deep breath, biting his lower lip. “If Jasmine come
Jasmine My father’s face turned every shade of red and finally settled on pink as his temper cooled. “What are you doing here, anyway?” Jasmine pulled her arm away from him and glanced over at her mother. “Mom, I thought it was over between you two! That you were starting your life over again—” “I am.” Her mother finally found her voice as she rose to her feet, glaring at her soon-to-be ex-husband. “Your father came to spend time with you before you leave for college.” “Well, not tonight. I have plans with Zain and his family. He’s leaving tomorrow.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “Besides, tomorrow’s my last day here, and I was going to spend it with Mom.” “No, tonight you’re going out with Holly and me—” “What?” I cut him off. “Please tell me your mistress isn’t Holly Barrett!” I rolled my eyes. “Dad, she’s a spoiled rich girl who’s just out for your money and a good time—” Before she knew it, he slapped her across the face, shaking Jasmine to her core as pain rushed through h
ZainCarmen hit him on the back of the head. “What are you doing, Zain, bringing her here?” she stage-whispered when Jasmine was safely inside and out of earshot. “You know you’re leaving tomorrow, and you have your career to think about—”“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten.” He let out a deep breath. “Jasmine doesn’t want me to give up my dreams—”“Well, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Carmen huffed, cutting him off. “Just don’t forget your promise to Poppy—”“For the second time, I haven’t forgotten.” Zain shook his head. “Now, do you mind if I get a beer before you continue lecturing me?” He headed toward the house with Sylvia on his hip but stood her on her feet on the front porch. “I just hope you know what you’re doing,” Carmen’s voice trailed off behind him as he walked inside.“So do I,” he mumbled under his breath as he headed through the house and out the back door. After nearly decking her father, he needed a beer to calm his nerves.He walked outside, and Raphael was al
Jasmine The music blared as I sat across from Carmen, making talking nearly impossible. “How do you feel about him?” Carmen asked. “Really.” Even though it wasn’t any of her business, Jasmine didn’t mind answering. “I love him. He’s my first and only love.” Carmen nodded. “Just make sure he doesn’t give up on his dreams.” For a moment, I wondered if they were really his dreams or his father’s. But I quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing how much Zain loved baseball. “That’s not my intention.” “Good!” A broad smile spread across her lips. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” But Jasmine’s smile faded as she thought about having to leave him soon. “What’s wrong?” Carmen leaned back and rubbed her enormous stomach, which looked more like a beach ball. Jasmine bit her lower lip. “I just hope when we both go off to college that it’s not the last time we see each other.” Carmen leaned forward and held her hand. “It won’t be. If Zain is who you want, then fight for him.” “How?” Jasm
JasmineZain looked down at his niece and smiled. “Well, Munchkin! What would you like to eat?”Juan had been in the process of fixing her plate when he decided it was time for his wife to go to the hospital.“Where did Mommy and Daddy go?” she asked, looking up at her uncle as concern filled her eyes. Zain scooped her up and set her on his lap. “Well, you’re mommy and daddy went to greet your new little brother, Sebastian, into the world.”“Can I go?” she blinked back tears.Zain kissed the top of her head. “In a little while. But right now, you need to eat.”Watching Zain with his niece was adorable. He’d make a great father one day. Jasmine rose to her feet. “I’ll start putting everything away.” She lifted a huge bowl of potato salad, but Zain stopped her.“Jasmine, why don’t you sit here with Sylvie and Raphael, and I’ll put everything away?”“My name is Sylvia,” she growled. “Okay. That’s enough, Munchkin. You know that’s my nickname for you.” Zain stood and lifted the potato s
ZainZain arrived at the hospital early the next day, eager to see his sister and new little nephew. His clothes were packed, and he was ready to go, having planned to go straight to the airport to meet Jasmine when he left the hospital.At Jasmine’s insistence, he reluctantly let her go back to her condo the night before. He just hoped nothing had happened to her before she met him, and that her father hadn’t come back.If he touched her, he was going to kill him. Damn the consequences. But no matter how eager he was to see Jasmine and see for himself that she was okay, nothing was going to stop him from being there for his sister now. He was just glad that he was there when she had the baby.When he walked in, the hospital antiseptic smell was overwhelming, more so than he’d remembered from occasional trips to the emergency room when he was a child from playing baseball or some other sport. The bright lights lit up the hallway as he stepped out of the elevator and made his way to h
Zain After Zain left the room, he headed downstairs and slid into a cab that was waiting for him. “To the airport, please.” “You got it, bub,” the driver replied, chomping down on a thick cigar between his teeth. Zain stared out the window at the palm trees swaying in the breeze as they passed, thinking of his family and Jasmine. Then again, he considered Jasmine to be a part of his family now, too. Although he knew his sister and mother would be alright without him, he couldn’t help but worry. But when they pulled into the drive leading to the airport, his heart pounded as he thought of Jasmine, pushing everything else from his mind. He just hoped she didn’t leave him standing in the airport waiting for her, alone. He checked his phone and there was still no messages from her. But when the cab driver pulled to a stop, he quickly pushed the thought aside as he paid the paid him. “Thanks, man,” the driver said as he took the money. Zain nodded as he slid out of the cab and checked