“It’s good for me to keep in shape.” He flexed his arm muscles and Jasmine and Kate laughed. “If I had been left to my own devices I would lie around watching TV all day. Why don’t you ladies come to my house? We can grill some burgers and you can meet Tony,” Matt suggested. He laughed at Jasmine’s unsure look at the mention of his brother. “I’ll protect you if he tries to bite you.”
“You’d better.” Jasmine laughed and agreed. Her first friends in this town. Life was looking up.
* * * *
Drake was making his usual rounds before going home. He was tempted to stop in and see Jasmine. For the last two weeks he had purposely avoided bumping into her. He needed a chance to step back and decide if he wanted a serious relationship or not. Jasmine was a sweet woman and he did not want to hurt her. His sister Eva already met her and announced she loved Jasmine. Drake had been surprised Eva had not been put off by Jasmine’s piercings or tattoos. Eva was such a fashionista and didn’t like being adventurous with her looks. Personally he thought it fit Jasmine’s personality perfectly. He confided in his sister he was attracted to Jasmine but not sure what he wanted.
“Then leave her be, Drake, and stick with your hoochies,” Eva had told him seriously. Her black hair was cut in a short, elegant style. “She is not only really nice and genuine, but she moved here to get away from an ex-boyfriend. She didn’t go into details but he hurt her deeply and even though she broke it off, he was a jerk to her afterwards too.”
“You found this out in the fifteen minutes you met with her?” Drake teased his sister. She always hated the women he dated and was not shy about letting him know it.
“We sat and talked in the back room, which she made into an office. At first I was taken aback by the thing over her eyebrow. Ouch. But after talking for a few minutes, it just fit her. I loved her tattoo. It was so sweet and it had meaning.”
After hearing about her bad experience he was tempted to seek out Jasmine and ask if she was okay but he didn’t. Eva was right. He had no business messing with her emotions. He even went out on a date with Nancy Lewis, who he’d dated and slept with months before. She expected nothing but a good time. Only he had left her at her doorstep with a kiss to her cheek. She had not been too happy about it but he wasn’t interested in a quick round of meaningless sex.
He drove by the store, hoping to just catch a glimpse of the dark haired beauty. He drove by Second Hand Treasures and he did see Jasmine. She looked as charming as ever in a green short skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was held back with a white headband. She was sitting outside on a bench laughing at something Matt Smith was saying. She leaned against him and Matt put his arms around her shoulder.
Jealousy was an ugly emotion. Matt had become Drake’s good friend over the years but at this moment he wanted to punch him in the face and warn him away from his woman. The thought cemented to him that he seriously wanted Jasmine in his life. Was it too late? Had he waited too long? He thought about Jasmine all into the night.
Chapter 7
Jasmine was busy trying to fix one of the windows. Kate had gone to have lunch with her friend Louise. Jasmine offered to watch the store. She had brought a salad to eat in the back room. She was happy to see her aunt socializing again. Just the other day she had gone to play Bingo with the neighbors. Now if only Jasmine’s own social life would pick up. She had been in town for almost a month now and the store was the only place she had gone besides a few restaurants with Kate and sometimes Matt. He was nice and friendly but there was no spark there, just friendship.
Jasmine was trying to hold up a gold curtain rod and hammer a nail in at the same time. It was not going well.
“Darn it,” she muttered, dropping the hammer. It landed with a loud crash, barely missing her foot. She let out a few curses.
“Hey now. Such language,” a voice said behind her. Jasmine shrieked and turned her head to look behind her. Drake stood there watching her with amusement. He bent and picked up the hammer. “What are you trying to do, young lady?”
“Hang up these curtains.” She sighed. “I need four hands, at least.”
“Let me help you,” he offered, He placed the nails up for her and helped her hang the curtain rod.
“Thanks.” She smiled at him. She noticed he was wearing jeans and a gray T-shirt. “Off duty today?”
He nodded. “I was going to rent a bike at the park and hit the trails. I stopped by to see if you wanted to go with me. I ran into Kate at the Hacienda. She is on her way back here but she encouraged me to get you to say yes. She says you work six days a week.”
Jasmine’s pulse picked up speed. Was he asking her as a friend? Probably. Alana had mentioned he was on a date the other night when they met to look over some pictures. It had bothered Jasmine, but she didn’t let it show. “That sounds like fun. I have been wanting to see more of the town.”
She looked down at her denim shorts and white tank top. She was wearing a pair of white canvas shoes. Usually she wore a dress, unless she knew she would be doing physical work, like today.
“You look great, Jazzie,” he assured her. “It’s hot outside.”
Jasmine playfully slapped his arm. “I hate that name. Dale gave it to me when I was five and it stuck.”
Kate walked in the door with a smile. Her eyes had lost that dull sad look and it warmed Jasmine’s heart. “Here I am.”
“I feel bad leaving you alone.” Jasmine frowned.
“Nonsense, dear. Go and have fun. I am closing early and walking down to Louise’s store. We’re meeting at Linda’s and having girl time.”
Jasmine smiled happily and hugged Kate. “How is it that your social life is so exciting and mine stinks?”
Kate laughed. “I do feel so much better. Keeping busy is the key, and that is all thanks to your hard work. Everyone loves your design skills. Everywhere we go we get compliments,”
Kate looked at Drake. “Make sure she has some fun, Drake. She has been working so hard lately. Matt wanted to take her to a movie but she chose to meet a client instead.”
“I promise.” Drake grabbed Jasmine by the hand. “I have my orders, Jazzie.”