Winning Her Heart

by Harmony Evans

  After the applause died down, Micah went on.

  “At all my restaurants, I try to source as much as I can locally. This evening, I would like to recognize one person in particular. Ms. Lucy Dee Diller, who provided me with her jerk spices recipe, which I have modified to make it my own. My staff is standing by to serve you, so without further ado, let’s eat!”

  Micah watched Jasmine turn in shock to her grandmother and mouth the word why. But Lucy, who had a serene smile on her face, had entrusted him to explain everything to Jasmine, which is what he planned to do later on.

  Micah knew she wouldn’t say a word.

  * * *

  After the evening ended and the staff was gone, Micah texted Jasmine and asked her to return to the restaurant.

  He didn’t receive a reply, so he was on pins and needles as he waited for her, wondering if she would show up.

  About thirty minutes later, there was a knock on the front door and he quickly ushered her in before she could change her mind.

  “Did you enjoy the food?” he blurted out.

  Her lips were pursed and he could tell right away that she wasn’t happy.

  “It was delicious. The compliments I heard throughout the evening were well deserved,” she replied, in a perfunctory tone. “But I suppose you knew that already.”

  “Not necessarily, but thank you. I was hoping everything would go well. I was nervous.”

  She raised a brow. “Were you? I’m surprised.”

  He steadied his voice. “Just because I’ve opened four of these, doesn’t make it any easier or less stressful. In fact, there is more pressure. From my brother to my business partners to my family, everyone has their reasons for wanting me to succeed.”

  “Do those reasons include stealing Lucy’s jerk chicken recipe?” Jasmine accused. “That spice recipe is a family secret and one of the reasons why we’ve been so successful in the past.”

  “I didn’t steal it,” Micah said. “She gave it to me.”

  “I don’t understand why. It’s almost like she didn’t trust me with it.”

  “That’s not true,” Micah insisted.

  “Why else would she give it to you then? You both went behind my back.”

  Her voice softened with hurt, rather than jealousy, and he understood why she might feel that way.

  “Please don’t be upset with your grandmother. She came to me because she could see how stressed out you were about cooking. She wanted someone else besides Gloria to know the secret recipe, so she told me. Can you blame her?”

  It took a few moments, but then Jasmine shook her head in resignation.

  “I’ve gotten the hang of most of Lucy’s recipes, with the exception of the jerk chicken. I guess I don’t have the patience for cooking. I like the sales and marketing side of the restaurant business.”

  “Then stick with what you know, and let me help you with the rest.”

  She gave him a dubious look. “What do you mean?”

  “I told Lucy I wanted to help you with the restaurant as much as possible, but I was afraid you would never forgive me for lying to you.”

  Jasmine smiled, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

  “I do forgive you. I talked everything over with Lucy and I realize now that you didn’t mean to hurt me. In some ways, your hands were tied.”

  Although he wanted to smother her with kisses, he gave her a grateful nod.

  “I told you as soon as I could. I just wish I’d had the courage to confide in you sooner, but I was afraid of losing you. I know how important your grandmother’s restaurant is to you.”

  “It is, but don’t think I’m too altruistic and I’m certainly no saint. At first, moving to Bay Point was an excuse to run away from a painful experience. Over time, living and working with Lucy helped me to rediscover the meaning in my life. And then I met you—”

  “And everything changed,” Micah finished. “Despite my stupid mistakes and dishonesty, I hope it was for the better.”

  She nodded. “My life sharpened into focus. I’m more excited about the possibilities, and about my future.”

  “You mean it wasn’t the great sex?” he joked.

  Jasmine laughed, and the joyful sound made his throat catch.

  “I’m sure that had something to do with it.”

  “I’m so sorry about everything, baby.”

  He took her into his arms and they kissed, long and hard, and a swell of emotion overtook them both.

  “I’ve missed you so much. I don’t ever want to be without you again.”

  “Nor do I, Micah. Promise me you won’t leave me?”

  “Not a chance. You’re stuck with me.”

  She snuggled up against his chest and he nuzzled the top of her head.

  “In fact, I’ve talked it over with the guys and they agreed. We want you to be our global head of marketing.”

  Jasmine gasped and stepped back. “Wait. What are you saying? Are you offering me a job?”

  “Yes. You would not only be responsible for getting the word out about Society Red, but my partner’s restaurants, too. We even plan to open a location in France next year.”

  Her eyes looked conflicted. “Micah, I don’t know what to say.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “Just say yes. It’s a great opportunity. You and I can stay in Bay Point and you can travel with me, whenever you want.”

  Jasmine turned away, walked to the window and stared across the street. “I know I should jump at the chance, but what about the restaurant?”

  He joined her there and slid his arms around her waist. “We can redo the whole thing—inside and out, and serve breakfast, lunch and an assortment of your mouthwatering desserts, so there’s no competition with Society Red. We can be partners, for life!”

  Jasmine’s chin shot up and there was a rush of unmistakable excitement in her voice, as she turned to face him.

  “We? What’s this ‘we’ business?”

  “You’ll still own the restaurant, of course,” Micah continued, ignoring her inquiry as he gazed into her eyes. If he stopped talking, he feared he wouldn’t get out the most important question of all.

  “But we’ll run it together when we’re married. I’ll help you be successful.”

  He paused for her answer. Her eyes were shiny and her lips were parted.

  “You do want to marry me, don’t you, Jasmine?”

  Afraid that she was about to say no, he broke into her stunned silence and kissed her again. She leaned into him, murmuring his name against his lips.

  Micah pulled away suddenly. “Wait, I almost forgot something.”

  He drew a ring from his pocket and took a deep breath, as his heart hammered away in his chest.

  “I love you, Jasmine. I bought this for you while we were in New York on the chance that one day, you’d say yes.”

  Her eyes widened and she gasped at the size of the diamond as he held it up to her. Micah figured that if it was possible for Jasmine to feel happy, scared and amused, all at the same time, this moment was it.

  “You knew you wanted this? Commitment? Even then?”

  “And even more so now. I want to marry you, Jasmine.”

  He slipped the ring onto her finger, and was relieved when it was a perfect fit.

  “You are my future, the only woman I want. I would be honored if you would be my wife.”

  She admired the ring, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly.

  “Yes. I want to be your wife, Micah,” she whispered. “I want to be your everything.”

  “You already are,” Micah said, as he traced her lips with his fingers. “Thank you for forgiving me. I’m sure this won’t be the last time.”

  “I love you.”

  The intensity of her words made him harden ins
tantly.

  “I love you so much, Jasmine. I can’t wait to spend my whole life loving you.”

  “Then kiss me, Micah,” she begged, closing her eyes, moist with tears.

  Her body curved and moved against his, in a slow dance and a dream fulfilled, just for two.

  “Kiss me, and don’t stop!”

  At the tender urgency in her voice, Micah lowered his mouth to hers, at first tentatively, then hungrily, greedily. His heart, so full of longing for this woman, and now, she was finally his.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from IT MUST BE LOVE by Nicki Night.

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  It Must Be Love

  by Nicki Night

  Chapter 1

  “The words Jewel and committed in a sentence together...” Dominique let her statement fall and sniffed out a chuckle.

  “I know. It doesn’t even sound right. Ha!” Harper waved incredulously as if the concept was too ridiculous to consider.

  “I’m completely capable of being in a committed relationship.” Jewel defended herself, twisting her ankle in the mirror to check out the stiletto she tried on. “I just have standards.”

  “Standards,” her friends said together and burst out laughing.

  “As penetrable as a petrified forest!” Dominique’s loud whisper elicited laughter from both ladies as she plopped on a pink faux fur bench with a shoebox in her hands.

  Jewel placed her hand on her hip. “I am not that bad.” A beat passed. “Am I?”

  Dominique and Harper exchanged sideways glances and looked back at Jewel.

  “There’s nothing wrong with wanting certain things in the man you date.” She dismissed their unspoken scrutiny with a flip of her hand. “Why waste time getting to know someone if you know you’re not compatible? I say have your fun and move on.” Jewel shrugged, slipped out of the stilettos and placed them back in the box.

  Leaning against the shoe rack, Dominique crossed her arms. “You don’t give people a chance. Look at Maddox. He was charming and had a great body.”

  “Please!” Jewel twisted her lips. “I’ll admit he was incredible in bed, but I don’t do ex-wives. It’s too much trouble.” Jewel slipped her foot into a pair of sandals and tilted her head in her reflection.

  “What about Sabien?” Harper closed her eyes and shook her head. “That man was gorgeous. I would never tire of that sexy accent of his.”

  “Boring!” Jewel sang. “And he had kids.”

  “That can be challenging,” Dominique admitted.

  “I don’t think that’s so bad—especially if he gets along with the child’s mother.”

  “I prefer a man who doesn’t have those kinds of attachments,” Jewel said matter-of-factly.

  “Oh! I know.” Dominique stepped forward. “What was that guy’s name?” She squinted. “Evan. That’s it. He had an edge.”

  “Yeah, Jewel.” Harper tilted her head. “What happened to him? He was really sexy.”

  “Oh. I remember.” Dominique nodded. “He wasn’t an Ivy League man.”

  “You’re a tough one, Jewel,” Harper said.

  “Hey! You ladies make it sound horrible. I know you can’t always help who you fall in love with so I just try to make sure I don’t get too serious with anyone that I wouldn’t be equally yoked with. We have to have common goals, and share similar values. I want us to enjoy certain firsts together—like our first marriage, first child, etc. I had an Ivy League education and I prefer a man who shared in that experience. What’s so wrong with that?”

  “When you put it that way—nothing I guess,” Dominique noted.

  “See. I’m not a witch. I just have standards.”

  “Just don’t let those standards get in the way of getting a great guy. You’ve let a few gems slip through your fingers already, miss.” Harper pointed her finger at Jewel.

  “And there will always be more. Humph.” Jewel put down the shoebox that she’d just picked up. “I’m too hungry to shop for shoes. Let’s do this after brunch.”

  Without hesitation, Dominique stepped up and Harper pulled off the shoes she’d been trying on and returned them to the box.

  “Good because I’m starving!” Dominique said.

  The trio left the shoe store located on the main road in the Hamptons and entered the eatery that sparked their outing. Sundry’s served a robust brunch with a mix of southern and French cuisine. The ladies were seated moments after entering.

  Harper brought the conversation right back around after they placed orders. “Explain why Dayton didn’t work again. He was an Ivy Leaguer with no kids or ex-wives.”

  “That man could never be taken seriously. He’s more allergic to commitment than I could ever be accused of. We had our fun, but it would take a lot more to tame Dayton Rivers. Dating him was fun when it was forbidden. Now that our families actually get along, we both agree it’s just not the same. Now it’s like we’re the best of friends.”

  “I don’t know what’s going to work for you, Jewel.” Dominique took a piece of the warm bread the waiter placed in front of them and tore it in half.

  “Right now, a mimosa and a—” Jewel stopped speaking. Dominique and Harper followed her gaze. The three of them watched as four handsome men passed their table following closely behind the restaurant’s hostess. With seductive smiles, the men watched them just as closely.

  “Whew!” Harper turned back toward the table. “With all that eye candy we just took in, I may not need dessert.”

  The three of them laughed.

  “I’m still eating mine!” Jewel declared. They laughed harder.

  Their meals arrived. The girls chatted around mouthfuls of cage-free omelets with crab and roasted asparagus, lemon brioche French toast and frittatas loaded with seasonal veggies.

  “Can you believe it’s already been ten years since we graduated?” Jewel sighed and sipped the mimosa the waiter placed in front of her.

  “I know.” Harper nodded her head. “It doesn’t feel like that much time has passed.”

  “Dominique!” Jewel sat taller. “What’s the name of that guy who had that crush on you the entire time we were in school?”

  “Oh!” Harper put her hand on her forehead. “I remember him. He had a unique name.”

  Dominique squinted. “I can’t recall his name, but I saw him a few years ago and he was gorgeous. He marrie
d some model and moved to Europe.”

  “Yes!” Jewel snapped her finger. “Basil!” she almost shouted. “I went through my mental Rolodex of spices. I knew it couldn’t be oregano.”

  Dominique’s cheeks puffed. Quickly she covered her mouth to keep the champagne and orange juice from exploding all over the table. She gulped and released her laugh. The incident elicited more laughter from Jewel and Harper. Guests at surrounding tables looked over smiling as if they wished they could be part of the fun.

  Wiping a tear from her eye, Harper shook her head. “We never know what’s coming out of that mouth of yours.”

  Jewel’s smile spanned wider. It took several moments for the girls to recover from another round of laughter.

  “Whew!” Jewel sat back catching her breath. “I remember you refused to date Basil because he was so quiet. He was good-looking back then.”

  “I know, but I was afraid he’d be boring.”

  Jewel raised her flute as if to toast. “Yeah. That wouldn’t have been fun.”

  “Not. At. All,” Harper added.

  The women became quiet for a moment as they ate and enjoyed the atmosphere. Jewel contemplated her life since high school as she absently lifted the fork to her mouth. The reunion was just a few days away. Had she accomplished all that she wanted by this time in her life? Her younger self anticipated being married by now. The mature Jewel couldn’t see it since the opportunity hadn’t presented itself in an appropriate enough package. Of course she’d come across a few opportunities, but now many of the gentlemen that did meet her standards were already committed or having too much fun to bother committing. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for all of that anyway. She was having her share of fun as well.

  “Jewel.”

  “Huh?” She looked up into two quizzical faces.

  “You didn’t hear Harper calling you?”

  “What’s on your mind?” Dominique put her fork down and folded her arms. “Spill it.”

  “I just wonder if we’re going to be the only single ladies at this reunion?” Jewel sighed. How would that look?

  Copyright © 2018 by Renee Daniel Flagler