After picking up a packed lunch at a restaurant that Luke had recommended, they walked hand in hand around Waterfront Park, basking in the beauty of their surroundings. Jasmine had really liked Luke and could see why he and Wesley were good friends. Both were fiercely loyal to the people they considered friends, and from the look on Luke's face she could tell he had appreciated the books Wesley had delivered to him.
"Do you know how to operate a sailboat, Jasmine?"
Wesley's question interrupted her thoughts and she glanced up at him. "No. If you were depending on me being your backup then you're out of luck."
Wesley grinned. "No, I was just wondering how anyone who has lived in Savannah for as long as you have hadn't been interested enough to find out. I can't imagine not going out on the water at least once a week. That's the beauty of living in Savannah, even during the winter months, you can enjoy the river."
Jasmine nodded. "Do you own a boat?"
"Yes, I have a sailboat, as well as a cabin cruiser that Jake and I own together."
Sharing lunch with Wesley on the Charleston Harbor was a wonderful experience, Jasmine thought as she watched him expertly handle the sailboat. At one point after having a conversation about several movies they had seen, they had fallen into silence. She had glanced up to find him watching her intently like she was a puzzle he was trying to piece together. It didn't bother her that he was seeing another side of her because she was seeing another side of him, as well. There was work and then there was play and she was enjoying being able to relax in his presence. They hadn't mentioned anything about Abraham Danforth and the campaign since Wesley had shown up at her place for dinner last night.
Later that afternoon when they had returned to Savannah and Wesley walked her to the door, she invited him in. As soon as the door was closed behind them he gathered her into his arms and kissed her and she had to lock her knees to keep them from buckling under her.
His kiss sharpened her senses and filled her with an intense need to return it with all the longing she felt. She regretted the moment their lips parted and he took a step back.
"Thanks for going to Charleston with me today," he said huskily while his gaze zeroed in on her lips.
"Thanks for inviting me to go. I had fun."
"So did I. What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Attending church service and having dinner at my father's. It's a weekly ritual and because of his schedule, sometimes it's the only time the two of us can spend together."
He nodded. "And after dinner?"
"Ronnie and I are going to see several movies. A co-worker of ours who reviews movies is out of town this weekend and asked if we would do so in his absence and we told him that we would." A smile touched her lips. "But I'm sure that you and I will be running into each other sometime this week, right?" She knew he had every intention of continuing to follow her around. The thought of him doing so no longer bothered her.
He grinned. "Right. We'll definitely run into each other this week."
After kissing her again, he opened the door and left.
* * *
"So what did you do yesterday? I tried calling you a few times and couldn't get you."
Jasmine glanced up at Ronnie from across the table. They had taken a break in between movies to grab another soda and more popcorn. She wondered what her best friend would say if she knew that she had spent Friday night with Wesley and then all day Saturday in Charleston with him, as well. She was not ready to let anyone else in on what was going on between them. She wanted to savor the secret a while longer, especially since Ronnie knew she had considered Wesley her enemy just few weeks ago.
"I did all sorts of things," Jasmine said, thinking that really wasn't a lie. She met Ronnie's gaze. "What about you? What did you do?"
Ronnie smiled. "Dan and I drove down to Amelia Island and spent the entire day on the beach. It was fun. I'm still trying to get him to make me into a naughty girl but he won't budge."
Jasmine bit her lip to keep from grinning. Dan and Ronnie had been dating for almost six months and still they hadn't slept together. He didn't want them to rush into anything and no matter what Ronnie did or said, he hadn't changed his mind. "I wouldn't give up if I were you. Just keep trying, he's going to surrender sooner or later."
Ronnie chuckled. "I hope it's sooner than later. Trust me, I intend to keep tempting him. In fact, how would you like going shopping with me tomorrow? I want to buy something sexy that's guaranteed to get his attention."
Jasmine laughed. "It shouldn't be hard finding such an item."
Ronnie joined her in laughter. "I'm counting on it." After their laughter subsided, Ronnie asked. "So how are things going with that Danforth assignment? Any new developments?"
Jasmine shook her head. The last time she'd been out to Crofthaven had been for the press conference where Abraham had revealed the coroner's report regarding the cause of death. "No, things have been pretty quiet. I really don't expect things to start heating up until the election gets into full swing."
"And what about Wesley Brooks?"
Jasmine took a sip of her drink, deciding not to meet Ronnie's gaze and asked. "What about him?"
"Is he still following you around?"
Jasmine felt a thickness in her throat. Not only was he following her around, he had parked himself real snug in her bed a few nights ago. "Yes, he's still following me around."
"And you're handling it okay?"
If only you knew just how well I'm handling it. "Yes, I'm handling it fine. I'm used to it now."
Ronnie nodded as she checked her watch. "It's almost time for the next movie to start. Oh, by the way, I'm covering that big social event sponsored by the hospital in a few weeks. I noticed your father is one of the doctors being honored. Are you going?"
"Yes, although I got a call from Alyssa the other day to let me know that she's going with Paul."
Ronnie frowned. "Paul Sanders?" At Jasmine's nod Ronnie's frown deepened. "When are they going to let up and get a life? I can't believe after what happened she would do something like that."
Jasmine shook her head. "You and Alyssa have different values and standards. You would never have done what she did. I'm sure Paul being Alyssa's date will have Dad wondering what's going on."
Ronnie nodded. "You never told your father why the two of you broke up and about Evelyn's part in it? If he knew, Evelyn, Mallory and Alyssa would be history."
"Yes, but then where would they go?"
"Who gives a royal flip? If I were you I wouldn't give a damn. Besides, your father would be better of without them. I'm sure his bank account definitely would be."
Jasmine couldn't disagree with that last comment. "I still can't do that no matter how mean and hateful they are."
"Well, as far as I'm concerned Evelyn is a real witch. She makes Cinderella's stepmother look like an angel."
Jasmine only nodded. She had learned a long time ago not to let her stepmother and stepsisters get to her.
"What time do you want to go shopping tomorrow?"
"Right after work." A thought then crossed Ronnie's mind. "You don't think Wesley Brooks will follow us, do you?"
Jasmine shrugged. "Probably not. Why?"
"Just curious, especially since we plan on visiting stores that sell sexy lingerie. I don't want him getting any ideas about you."
Jasmine smiled. After Friday night, Wesley probably had gotten plenty of ideas about her.
* * *
Eight
« ^ »
He couldn't get Jasmine off his mind.
Even a week later while having dinner with Harold and Miranda at their home along with Jake, Larissa and their son, Peter, Wesley was flooded with memories. He continued to shadow Jasmine but now it was with an entirely new intent. He liked seeing her and watching her.
Trying to give her time to adjust to the turn their relationship had taken, he hadn't been over to her place since dropping her off Saturday night. But he'd seen her every day. He remembered how they had gone sailing on the Charleston Harbor and sat side by side sharing lunch. Even then, he had fought the urge to take her in his arms and make love to her right then and there.
"Are you all right, Wesley?"
Wesley quickly raised his gaze to the end of the table at the sound of Miranda Danforth's soft voice. She was looking at him with concern and so was everyone else at the table. He suddenly realized why. She had asked him a question a while ago and he had yet to answer.
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered smiling, focusing on the woman with the warm blue eyes who had always been there for him after he'd come to live with her and Harold in this huge house. From the moment they had invited him into their home, not only as their son's best friend, but also as a member of their family, an unofficially adopted son, they had occupied a special place in his heart. All the Danforths had.
"She asked if you've been dating anyone special lately," Harold Danforth chuckled, repeating his wife's question. His eyebrows were heavy over kind blue eyes. "Now that Jake's married off, she's determined to see what she can do about you since it seems that Toby and Imogene are lost causes."
Wesley smiled. Tobias, whom everyone fondly called Toby, was Harold and Miranda's divorced twenty-nine-year-old son who lived in Wyoming. Everyone knew that like Ian, Toby had no plans to ever remarry. And Imogene was married to her career. Not surprising to anyone, she had called earlier to say she would miss dinner because she was on the run and was trying to squeeze in a late appointment with a potential client.