“No, silly,” she said with a giggle and flip of her hair. “I’ll get food later. I mean, usually we do a little flirty banter thing, it’s the highlight of my week.”
“Oh,” I said, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck.
Well, this is awkward.
Gail waited, expectantly.
“You see, I got married, so, I’m cutting out the flirting and teasing, out of respect for my wife.”
Her mouth dropped open so quickly it was almost comical.
“No way,” she denied, shaking her head. “You can’t be married, you don’t even date anyone. It would be all over the grapevine by now.”
I chuckled, because, honestly, I was surprised all of Cherry Springs didn’t know about Jazzy and me by now.
Gail glanced down at my naked ring finger and I fought the urge to move my hand out of sight.
“It’s true,” I told her. “Jasmine Lewis and I said our vows in Las Vegas. We just got back from our honeymoon.”
“Jasmine? I see. Well, then, congratulations, I guess,” she said with a frown before spinning on her heel.
“Thanks for that, I guess,” I called out after her, shaking my head and taking a rag out to wipe down the bar.
“Well, the lid is getting blown off now,” Becs said from behind me. “Hearts will be breaking all over Cherry Springs tonight.”
I turned to look at her questioningly, then followed her gaze to where Gail was standing with a group of women and all eyes were on me.
I waved.
“They’ll get over it.”
“I’m not so sure they will,” Becs said with a sigh. “You were the last single guy in town who’s not either a prick, mama’s boy, or bum.”
I chuckled.
“That’s not true, Becs, there’s plenty a good ones around. What about Mikey from the hardware store, or Donovan from the autobody shop,” I asked. “Oh, and didn’t you have a date with Trevon, that guy who owns the boxing club?”
“Trevon’s dating someone else, Donovan hasn’t brushed his teeth since twenty twelve, and Mikey lives in his mom’s basement.”
“Oh,” I said, not knowing what to say, since none of that sounded promising. “And, gross … But, Becs, there are more than three single blokes in Cherry Springs. Maybe you should try meeting them somewhere other than here, at the bar.”
Becs rolled her eyes at me, reminding me of Jasmine.
Shit, I wondered what she was doing, and if she wished I were home right now. I knew I sure did.
“Ugh, you’re doing it again,” Becs complained, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“What?”
“Getting that dreamy look on your face so I know you’re thinking of Jazzy and not listening to me. You’re so annoying,” she said, turning with a huff.
“Good talk,” I called after her, laughing when I saw she was flipping me the bird at waist level, so as not to alert the customers.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch.
I had a few curious customers ask about me and Jazzy and I happily answered them all.
After a week off, and away from the bar schedule, I drove home exhausted and thinking maybe it was time for me to start looking at other career options. Obviously, staying in town for the next few years meant there weren’t a lot of options to use my biology degree. And, I was getting older now, and a husband, so maybe working nights at a bar wasn’t what I should be doing either.
But, what else was there?
I wasn’t qualified for much else, unless you counted music and surfing, and last time I checked there was no ocean near Cherry Springs.
I parked the car and felt a little lighter when I saw Jasmine had left a few lights on for me. I walked through the house, turning them off as I did, before going into the living room to find she’d also made up the couch.
I turned my head and looked longingly at Jasmine’s closed door, before I took of my clothes and draped them over the chair. Clad in only my boxer briefs, I slid under the covers and tried to get comfortable.
Eventually, I fell asleep, and when I woke up, it was way too early and because something was licking my face.
“Daisy,” I grumbled, not awake enough for it to register that Daisy’s tongue wasn’t that big.
I reached up to push her off, pausing when I encountered a floppy ear.
Opening one eye, I was shocked to see a beagle puppy, paws up on the couch, the little white goat jumping happily around it.
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice rough with sleep.
The puppy yipped excitedly as I rose to sit and lifted it onto my lap.
“Sorry, I meant to let you sleep in longer, but he got away from me.”
I looked up from the straining puppy, who was trying his damnedest to reach my face with that tongue, to see Jasmine standing in the doorway, dressed for work in a suit.
“What time is it?”
“Almost noon. I picked him up on my lunch break. I hope you like him. You never said what breed…”
Jazzy stopped midsentence when I stood and started toward her, wearing just my briefs, the puppy tucked against me.
Her eyes widened and I didn’t miss her quick perusal of my naked flesh, before those green eyes flashed and made their way back to my face.
“He’s perfect,” I assured her. “You didn’t have to.”
I stopped right in front of her and stared down at her beautiful face.
“I wanted to,” she said softly.
“Thank you,” I murmured, then leaned down and dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Jasmine
The week had been exhausting so far and working opposite schedules as Shane, when we had Daisy and Loki, made getting any kind of sleep impossible.
The puppy was just as mischievous as his namesake and didn’t get the concept of bedtime, at least not at three in the morning. I swear, every time I started to doze, one or both of our new babies did their best to keep me up.
Shane wasn’t faring any better on the day shift.
I knew logically animals were completely different than human babies, but if the last couple of sleepless nights were any indication, I definitely wanted the father of my children to work the same shift as me so we could at least take turns getting some sleep.
Jazzy with no sleep was not a happy woman.
Dillon had started complaining about my grumpiness at work, but I told him to just wait until his baby was born and then come talk to me about being sleep-deprived.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only thing putting me in a bad mood.
I found myself missing Shane like we’d been together for years rather than weeks. I missed his teasing, good humor, easy-going personality, and … dammit … I missed the sex. And, the kissing.
Gah, every time he kissed my nose I wanted to throw him down and give him the business. And, by the business, I meant I wanted to ride his dick.
I know, how very uncivilized, but now that I knew what I was missing, I wanted to go back to that day at camp and agree to continuing the pursuit of an actual relationship … er, marriage … with Shane.
Unfortunately, I was just as stubborn as everyone accused me of being, and I hated to admit I was wrong. So, for now, I was walking around tired, frustrated, and angry. I was basically a nightmare.
Plus, I had PMS, so … yeah, fuck everyone.
This was why I walked into the house an hour earlier than usual, and, much to Shane’s detriment, he hadn’t left for work yet.
He smelled and looked amazing, which only fueled my fire.
“Hey, Jazzy, you’re home early,” he said, looking up from the floor, where he was sitting cross-legged with Daisy and Loki’s heads in his lap.
His hair was wet from the shower, and his blue eyes sparkled with delight.
What an asshole.
“Don’t you look handsome,” I began, and his brow furrowed at my tone.
Yeah, that’s right, buddy, I’m about to cloud up and rain all over you.
“Mmmm, thanks?” he asked, warily.
“Smell good, too,” I accused. “Becs working tonight?”
“Ah, I’m not sure, I think so … Are you okay?”
I threw my hands up in the air.
Yes, it occurred to me that I was being totally irrational, but I had to take my anger out on somebody, so why not the blond Adonis looking all adorable with the goat and puppy?
“Am I okay? I don’t know, Shane, am I?” I started pacing, and all three sets of eyes followed my every move.
Even Daisy looked scared.
“I haven’t gotten any sleep in three days, I’ve stepped in pee and dog poop more times than I care to remember, and my hottie husband is the talk of the town.”
“I haven’t done anything wro…”
I held up my hand to stop him right there.
“Remember before, when we talked about that behind-the-scenes look at women? Sorry to say, buddy, but this is it,” I told him. “Some months, a few days before my period, I get angry. I mean, everything pisses me off. Now, usually on those days, when I realize what’s causing my frustrations, I settle in for the night with lots of chocolate, some good wine, and either a comedy or tear-jerker, depending on the severity of my mood.”
“Why would you want to make yourself cry?” Shane asked, like a moron.
I ignored him and kept talking.
“That’s what I was coming home to do tonight. Of course, I have the delightful addition of the peeing, pooping, and nonsleeping puppy, but I figured his cuteness would even it all out. What I did not need was to see you all gussied up to go work at the bar where everyone with a vagina, and some with penises, are trolling to get in your pants.”
Shane shifted Loki off his lap and stood.
We stared at each other for a few seconds.
“Should I say something now, or will that just piss you off?” he asked cautiously.
“If you must,” I said, and that time, I felt the bitchiness of my words. That usually meant the mood was easing up a bit.
When you were so bitchy that you didn’t want to be around yourself, you knew wine, chocolate, and a good cry were in order.
Looks like Steel Magnolias is on the agenda for tonight.
“I know it’s been tough with the animals and I’m sorry I’m gone at night and you can’t sleep. I’ve been thinking it’s time for me to look for something else, something with better hours so we’re not always at odds,” Shane said softly, hesitantly, like he was talking to a wild animal. Which, I guess he kind of is. “Also, I’ve already promised you that as your husband, I’m in this with you one hundred percent. There are no other women as far as I’m concerned. Becs is now, and has always been, just a friend and co-worker. I promise you that.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” I said, my eyes beginning to fill as the fight left me.
His face was so gentle and understanding. He didn’t seem at all upset that I’d come in like a battering ram.
“Tomorrow night I’m off. What do ya say I take you out for a nice dinner and we can talk?” Shane asked, his eyes searching my face. “There’s some stuff we need to work out, I think.”
“What about the demon pets?” I joked, smiling slightly for the first time all day.
“We’ll get a sitter.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. You’re good?” he asked, moving closer and brushing a tear off my cheek.
“Yup. All better,” I said, taking a deep breath and letting it out. I looked at the clock and added, “I know you need to get going.”
He lifted his chin in agreement. “I’ll call The Eaves for a reservation and see if I can drop the kids off at Jed’s.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Hey, Jazz,” he prodded softly, his tone sweet.
“Yeah?”
“I can handle it, yeah?”
“What?” I asked.
“Anything you throw at me,” he said, and kissed my nose gently before leaving.
Shane was going to be the death of me.
Shane
I was so happy my weekend had arrived.
Wanting to try and be on the same schedule as Jazzy while I was off, I’d come home and taken only a couple-hour nap, before getting up and starting my day.
We’d decided to renovate the downstairs half bath first, so I thought I’d surprise her by getting all the demo done so Jed and I could get it knocked out.
But first, I went to the hardware store to get the equipment I needed, the pet store to get more food and treats for the kids, and the grocery store to stock up on all things chocolate and wine.
By the time she got home from work, the demo was done and I was about to hop in the shower to get ready for dinner.
“Our reservation’s at seven,” I told her before heading upstairs. “And Jed’s cool with pet sitting.”
“Perfect,” Jazzy said with a tired smile. “I’ll go out with Daisy and Loki, then start getting ready.”
“Sounds good.”
I was ready and downstairs packing a bag of the animals’ things to take to Jed and Laurel’s, when Jasmine’s door opened.
I paused and took her in.
She wore a dark-green sleeveless blouse tucked into a fitted black skirt that stopped just above her knees. Her red hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders and down her back and her face looked flawless.
“You’re gorgeous,” I said, even though that was an understatement.
Jazzy smiled, obviously pleased with my compliment, and replied, “You’re not so bad yourself.
“What, this old thing?” I joked, turning to show her all angles of my pressed slacks and blue button-down.
She laughed, which is what I was going for, and asked, “Ready?”
“Yup, let’s get leashes on these two, I’ve got their kibble.”
We loaded up Daisy and Loki in the backseat of my car, then dropped them with Jed before heading to The Eaves.
Once we were seated at our table in the swankiest restaurant Cherry Springs had to offer, we ordered drinks and perused the menu.
“Oh, before I forget, I got a call from Immigration,” I told her.
“Oh, already?” she asked, looking surprised.
Yeah, I’d been surprised too when I received the call.
“Reardon must have fast tracked the paperwork or had a contact or something. They want to schedule our interview for Thursday, next week.”
“Wow, that’s soon.”
“Yeah, but I think we’re ready. I looked online and it said what we need to do to be prepared … have all the documents with us, know important dates, and answer questions about our past, how we live now, and our plans for the future.”
Jasmine sat back and blinked, and I could see she was feeling overwhelmed.
“So, how was work this week?” I asked, wanting to change the something to something easier before I got into my next item. “Any new developments at Lewis Sporting Goods?”
“Meetings, meetings, and more meetings,” Jazzy said, her lips quirked up and my tension eased a bit.
“Do you like it then? I mean, I know it’s the family business, but only you and Dillon decided to stay on and work there. Did you always know it’s what you wanted to do?”
Jasmine nodded, thanked the server for her martini, and replied, “Yeah, I did. Both Dillon and I used to pretend we were in charge of the company and we’d make every Friday company dodgeball day.”
She laughed at the memory.
“That never happened, of course, although we have gone on company retreats and sports is obviously a key element. But, yes, it was always where I wanted to end up.”
“That’s wonderful, you’re very lucky to be doing what you love. Your drive and commitment are commendable. I think you’re amazing,” I admitted, taking a sip of my scotch.
I wasn’t embarrassed or afraid to tell her these things she should already know about herself. I wanted to lay myself and my feelings on the line. I was tired of
tip-toeing around the elephant in the room … our relationship.
But first, we needed to get some fundamentals worked out.
“Thanks,” she said shyly.
“There are some thing I wanted to discuss with you tonight, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.”
We had to put the conversation on pause while our server took our food order, but as soon as he was gone, I leaned in.
“What do you want to talk about?” Jasmine asked, her tone conveying her nerves.
“Finances.”
“Finances?” she asked, surprised.
That was not what she thought I was going to say.
My lips quirked up, because, oh, we’d be getting to that bit later.
“Yes. Money. Our money to be exact.”
“What about it?”
“I know with the expansion of the company and your position, you’re not hurting for funds. However, since I’m living in the house with you, I’d like to be included in the bills. So far, it hasn’t been mentioned, and you haven’t asked me for a dime. But, I want to pull my own weight.”
“Shane, it’s really not necessary. I’ve been saving, and, it’s true, the expansion means pay raises for everyone at the company. Covering the cost of the house and utilities is no problem. You mentioned wanting to quit the bar and find a new job, so save your money and focus on that.”
I clenched my jaw and urged myself to remain calm. I was sure she didn’t mean to be insulting, still…
“Jasmine,” I began, keeping my voice even. “I’m not a bum, and cannot in good conscience live in the house, use the utilities, and not pay a dime. I don’t care how well off you are, I still need to contribute and pay my own way.”
“Look, I can totally understand where you’re coming from, but I’m the one who wanted this house. You weren’t consulted on the price point and didn’t have a say in the choosing of the house, so I can’t expect you to pay the mortgage,” Jazzy argued.
“If you’re worried that I’ll think I have some claim on the house, don’t. It’s yours, one-hundred percent, but, I’d pay rent anywhere I was living, so I’d like to split the mortgage with you, and the utilities.”
She looked like she wanted to argue, but I really was not going to budge on this.
Too Dangerous Page 11