JasmineWhen they left the restaurant, streaks of orange, pink, and purple shot across the sky, alerting them to the end of the day and the beginning of the night. “When you take me back home, would you like to meet my parents?”Zain gave her hand a gentle squeeze as his lips curled into a sexy smile. “Is that what you want?”She nodded, smiling. “Yes, it is. You don’t mind?”He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’ve been wanting to introduce myself to your father since I first met you, but I didn’t want to be too presumptuous.”She burst out laughing. “Well, we’re planning to elope to Las Vegas before we go to college. So, no. I don’t think you meeting my parents would be presumptuous at all.”A crease formed between his eyes. “Would you like to? Elope, I mean?”She shrugged. “With you? Yes. With anyone else? No.”Zain burst out laughing. “Well, it’s a good thing because I’d have to kill anyone I saw you with.”Jasmine’s head snapped up. “But you said you wanted me to date.
JasmineAfter Zain left, Jasmine stormed back toward the condo. “Well, Dad, I hope you’re happy.”“We’re packing up tonight and leaving for home in the morning!” her father yelled behind her, quickly catching up.“No! I’m not leaving!”“Oh, yes! You are!” Her father grabbed her arm and turned her around. “You will do as you’re told, young lady!”Jasmine scoffed, looking at him as if he had just lost his mind. “Not anymore, Dad.” She yanked her arm away and walked past him and into her room, locking the door behind her.“Jasmine, maybe we were being a bit too hasty—”“You think, Mom?” Jasmine huffed as she started packing her things. She looked at the huge, plate glass window in her room. Since they were on the first floor, she could easily set her things out the window and then climb out. Surely, Zain would come back for her if she called or texted him.But there was no way she was going back to Maine with her parents. She had planned to go to college from here anyway, and she had alr
ZainZain loved the idea of Jasmine staying with him at his mother’s house for the rest of the summer. But convincing his mother was going to be another story. he just hoped his mother didn’t make a scene in front of Jasmine. If that were the case, then they could head off to Las Vegas tonight and spend the rest of the summer there. He was sure they could get jobs and go off to college when the summer was over.Zain had a little savings left over from his student loans and from working in the cafeteria when he wasn’t playing baseball or studying. Although it wouldn’t be enough to support them indefinitely, it would be enough to support them for the rest of the summer.But Jasmine seemed excited at the prospect of working at his uncle’s food truck. So, she wasn’t opposed to hard work. Together, they would make it work.Maybe they could get summer jobs at one of the hotels. Then, they wouldn’t have to get a divorce so soon. They could get married when they got there, work, and then spen
JasmineWhile he was inside, she checked her cell phone, and her parents hadn’t texted her or tried to call. They didn’t even know she was gone. She hated that she had left without telling them, but there was no way that she was going to leave in the morning with her parents without telling Zain goodbye.Even though she hadn’t known him long, Zain was the best thing that had ever happened to her, and she wasn’t about to let him go. She sighed, wondering if she would be able to let him go in Las Vegas when the time comes. Pain ripped through her heart at the thought, but she would worry about it then.If she could be guaranteed that her parents wouldn’t drag her back to Maine in the morning, she would consider going back tonight. If her father knew what she did, that she had left like this, he would never forgive her, and her mother would disown her.All her life, she had lived her life for them, trying to make them happy. But now, she was about to go to college, and it was her time. T
JasmineMaria crossed the room to her, giving her a sympathetic smile as she placed her hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Then she pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I know you won’t break my son’s heart. I can see now that you love him.” She looked over at Zain and took his hand. “And as long as you make my son happy, you’ll have my full support. It took a lot of courage to stand up for my son like you did tonight. And if you need a place to stay, then come back. I’ll have the room ready.”Jasmine pulled her in for a hug, wishing her parents could be so supportive. “Thank you.” She wiped a tear from her eyes when she pulled back. “I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble.”Maria chuckled, lightly patting her cheek. “‘Twas no trouble at all. Come back any time. You’re always welcome.”Jasmine gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”Zain opened the screen door and stood back, letting Jasmine go out first. “Madre, I’ll be back later.”Maria nodded, smiling. “Take
Jasmine“Now, let’s not start planning their wedding, dear.” Her father chuckled as he slipped his arm around his wife. Then his expression turned serious. “Zain, I respect you for coming to speak with me, man to man.”Zain nodded. “Yes, sir.” He started to walk out, but Jasmine stopped him.“I’ll walk you out—”“Jasmine,” her father warned.Then she turned to face him. “Dad, I’ll be right back.”He stared at her for a long moment, and then nodded and walked away.Jasmine walked out with Zain, closing the door behind them. “Thanks for that.”Zain took her hand and swung it between them as they headed toward the parking lot. But he pulled her close when they were out of sight of her parents’ condo.“Jasmine, I want to date you, and I don’t want to hide it. It was my hon
JasmineJasmine and Zain spent the next few weeks surfing and working at Miguel’s food truck. Jasmine thought she’d never had such a great summer. She even made time to go shopping with her mother, and they started having Movie Nights together.Zain even joined them a few times. It was awkward at first, but her parents treated him well, and they had a great time. She and Zain didn’t always sit together, which made it a bit easier for her parents.Zain had also invited her to his mother’s house for Movie Nights, too. Jasmine and Zain always sat together at his house, and Maria never seemed to mind. But they were careful not to show too many public displays of affection in front of her, though.“So, you want to go out with me tomorrow night?” Zain asked as he drove her home one night after spending time together at his mother’s house.“Sure! What do you have in mind?”He gave her a sexy smile. “Since it’s the Fourth of July, I thought we could go out to eat and then watch the fireworks
JasmineHer father nodded. “And we’re flying with you to help you get a car and settle in.”“No, Dad.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “I’m an adult now, and I can do this on my own. I’ve been saving money—”“Yes, but we’re buying the car,” he cut her off. There it was. He was holding money over her head again. Of all the things in her life, that was what she hated the most. Every time her father wanted her to do something, he threatened to cut her off or withhold money for something. “I just want to make sure you get something dependable.”“Dear,” her mother intervened, “we agreed to get her a new car, so it really doesn’t matter where we get it. Besides, we have another month before anything’s decided.”Jasmine knew if she didn’t say something quick, she’d lose her chance. “Dad, I’m going to fly from here. It’d be a whole lot easier.”Her father let out a deep breath, studying her. “Are you sure you can handle getting a car on your own? You’ll need to rent a car at the airport and th