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
Jasmine“What happened?” Jasmine held her mother’s hand, listening. This was the first she was hearing this. For the first time in her life, her mother was starting to seem like a real person.Hannah shrugged, giving her a small smile. “We wanted to get married, but my parents forbade it. So, I kissed him goodbye and never saw him again. Then I met your father at my father’s Club. I had a feeling my parents had arranged it, but I went along with it anyway, no longer having the strength to fight them.”“So, you didn’t love Dad.”Hannah shook her head. “Not at first. But love grew over time. Now, I love him very much.” She let out a deep breath, her smile fading. “But a part of me sometimes wonders what life would have been like if I would have married that boy... Paul was his name.” Then her smile returned as she patted Jasmine’s hand. “But then, I wouldn’t have had you.”“Mom, I didn’t know.” Jasmine’s heart ached for her mother, knowing that was probably why she was the way she was n
Jasmine“Hannah, what’s gotten into you?” William asked, shock coloring his eyes. “I’ve never seen this side of you before.”That makes two of us, Jasmine thought. But she was glad that her mother was finally finding herself again, even though she was sad that her parents might be getting a divorce, and she was furious with her father, all at the same time.“Let’s talk this out,” William said, holding his hands out in surrender.Hannah shook her head. “Not this time, William. I’ve played the part of the dutiful society wife long enough, and I’m tired.” She sank onto her chair, tears filling her eyes. “I’m tired, William. Go back home, and I’ll see you there.”“But Hannah—”“I said to get out,” she growled. “I’m calling a lawyer today, and I don’t want to see you until the court date.”His lips curled into a snarl. “Well, you can’t keep me from seeing my daughter—”“Dad, you haven’t spent much time with me this summer, anyway.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “And I’m going away to coll
JasmineJasmine and her mother arrived at the mall and walked around, looking for a dress shop.“What about this one?” Hannah asked, stopping before a store. “I’m sure you’ll find something really nice here.”Jasmine looked up, and it was what she would call an older woman’s shop with sophisticated clothes instead of hip, trendy clothes. “Nope!” She slid her arm in her mother’s. “Mom, if you’re going to be back on the market, I’ll need to show you where to shop. Hannah’s head snapped up. “On the market?” She let out a deep breath. “Honey, I’ve been married to your father for so long I wouldn’t even know what it’s like to date, let alone be with another man.”Jasmine pulled her mother to a stop. “Mom, promise me that no matter what happens between you and my father, you won’t stay alone for the rest of your life.”Hannah smiled. “Sweetie, it’s much too soon to think about such things—”“Promise me,” Jasmine cut her off. “I can’t leave for college next month, knowing you’ll be alone.”
JasmineWhen Jasmine and her mother returned to their condo, she looked at the clock and knew she had to start getting ready. “Mom, I can call Zain and cancel—”“You will do such thing, young lady.” Hannah held her shoulders and pushed her toward her room. “Now, go get ready before Zain arrives.” She hugged her from behind. “And don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine. Now, go!”“Okay, okay.” Jasmine laughed, shaking her head as she headed into her room and closed the door behind her. Then she headed over to the window and pulled the curtains closed. Luckily, she had her own bathroom. Once she hung up the dresses, she headed into the shower, shaved, and walked out a moment later, wrapped in a towel. She dressed in the cute red dress, and it fit her perfectly. She donned some red heels that she had picked up, at her mother’s insistence, and quickly did her hair and makeup. Jasmine looked in the mirror when she was finished, satisfied with her efforts.Just then, there was a knock on th
ZainJasmine looked gorgeous as they headed toward the restaurant. He placed his hand on the small of her back, proud to be with her. But the thing he liked most about Jasmine wasn’t her gorgeous body or her incredible good looks, it was her heart. She was beautiful inside and out.But what she had told him about her father surprised him. Zain knew he was a stern man, but he had no idea he would do something like that. Then again, maybe he hadn’t planned on having an affair, and it had just happened. But he was determined to continue the affair when he brought his mistress on vacation with his family.Zain never wanted it to be that way between Jasmine and him. Even though he hadn’t slept with her yet, Jasmine had already ruined him for all other women. He opened the door for her, letting her go in first.The waitresses were dressed in Hawaiian strapless dresses, and the men wore Hawaiian shirts in the same floral red print. “Two for dinner?” The hostess smiled as they approached, li