JasmineA broad smile spread across his mother’s lips as she reached across the table and squeezed Jasmine’s hand. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” She looked proudly at her son and then back at her. “I know you have my son’s best interests at heart, and that’s what counts. I’d hate to see him come all this way in his career, and then something happen to ruin it all.”Jasmine was almost tempted to tell her that she was on birth control, even though she wasn’t, just to see her reaction. But she didn’t want to give his mother a heart attack. Instead, she took the high road and replied, “Neither would I.”Maria nodded her approval.Zain slid out of the seat and kissed the top of Jasmine’s head. “You ladies play nice now. I’ll be right back.” Then he walked to the other side of the table and kissed his mother’s head, too. She leaned into him and placed her hand on his. “Be nice, Madre.”She scoffed, pushing him away. “I’m always nice.” But despite their playful banter, it was clear that Zai

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.

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

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

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