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

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.”

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

Jasmine The next few weeks flew by with Jasmine working with Zain in Uncle Miguel’s food truck, surfing while we weren’t working, and getting everything ready to go to college and Las Vegas. But right now, Jasmine was thinking more of Las Vegas than going off to college. Zain was leaving the next day to get everything ready for her, and she had planned to meet him there the next day. She just hoped nothing happened to derail their plans. At the end of their shift, Zain wiped his hands on a hand towel. “Jasmine, my mother, and family are having a farewell party for me tonight before I leave for college, and I want you to come.” “Of course she’ll be there!” Miguel chirped, smiling as he shot a glance over at Jasmine. “I just hope you two can find a way to work this out. You know, it would be a whole lot simpler if you were going to the same college—” “Uncle Miguel,” Zain cut him off. “Everything’s going to work out.” He let out a deep breath, biting his lower lip. “If Jasmine come

ZainCarmen hit him on the back of the head. “What are you doing, Zain, bringing her here?” she stage-whispered when Jasmine was safely inside and out of earshot. “You know you’re leaving tomorrow, and you have your career to think about—”“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten.” He let out a deep breath. “Jasmine doesn’t want me to give up my dreams—”“Well, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Carmen huffed, cutting him off. “Just don’t forget your promise to Poppy—”“For the second time, I haven’t forgotten.” Zain shook his head. “Now, do you mind if I get a beer before you continue lecturing me?” He headed toward the house with Sylvia on his hip but stood her on her feet on the front porch. “I just hope you know what you’re doing,” Carmen’s voice trailed off behind him as he walked inside.“So do I,” he mumbled under his breath as he headed through the house and out the back door. After nearly decking her father, he needed a beer to calm his nerves.He walked outside, and Raphael was al