“We are better than that.”
“I mean, I was right there when Denise ripped your heart out and squashed it with the heel of her stiletto.”
“She didn’t quite rip my heart out.”
“What would you call it?”
“We had a misunderstanding,” I said. “Now, exactly how much do you know about me and Jasmine?”
“I know about the late nights at the Grove. I know that she’s transformed you into someone I don’t recognize. You’re much happier and very mellow. At least you were. I know that she accompanied you on that trip to Louisiana, but the two of you haven’t talked much since. Did something happen?”
“I’m just dealing with my own crap, man. It has nothing to do with her.”
“Well, I hope you work it out. Jasmine is as sweet as can be. Not to mention gorgeous with a knockout body. She’s funny, she can cook and she’s managed to change you in a very short time.”
“I think I love her.” I caught myself by surprise with the admission of it. I loved Jasmine. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this way about anyone before now.
“What did you say? Can you repeat that? I don’t think I heard you right.” Lance pressed his hand against his ear.
“You heard me right.” I said.
“Wow, that’s a huge thing for Jackson Conner to admit. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that about anyone.”
“I’ve never felt that about anyone.”
“Jax, man, I haven’t seen you happy in a long time. I hope it works out for you, buddy.”
“I don’t know. I think she hates me now.”
“I doubt that. You’re a great guy, but whatever the hell you did to her you need to swallow your pride and make it right,” he said. “She’s one of the good ones. You don’t want to lose her.”
“You’re right.”
“I know I am. Good luck with that.” He reached for a handshake. “If you change your mind about the fish fry, you know where to find us.”
I nodded and shook Lance’s hand.
I pulled out my cell phone and called Tracy.
“I need your help,” I told her. “I need you to locate a laptop. It’s somewhere between here and Louisiana.”
Tracy was the most resourceful person I knew. If Jasmine’s laptop could be found, Tracy would certainly be the one to find it.
* * *
After work as I caught a taxi to the Coral Sands Hotel, I decided that I didn’t want my night to end just yet. I showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a casual shirt. Then I made my way to Governor’s Harbour. At the very least I could have a bite to eat and beer with my buddies at the island’s fish fry. It was something to do—something to take my mind off of everything.
Caribbean music played beneath the moonlit sky. Bahamian natives prepared fresh fish, and hot grills were fired up along the sand. Men, women and children danced to Caribbean rhythms. I found Lance and the others gathered around a table, enjoying the island fare and sipping on Bahamian brews. I grabbed a seat at the table.
“Mr. Conner!” Jorge was the first to shake my hand.
“Hey, let’s get him caught up,” said Diego as he rushed to the bar. He came back with two beers and handed them both to me. “You’ve got a long way to go.”
I twisted the cap off one of the bottles and we toasted.
“To the Grove!” said Lance and we all cheered as our bottles clanked together.
“To the Grove,” I said, taking a long gulp. I needed it.
But after a few beers, I abandoned the crowd and went for a stroll along the beach. I needed to clear my head. No matter how I tried to drown my feelings, my heart ached and I missed Jasmine. She had been nothing but supportive to me and I’d hurt her. She hadn’t deserved my cold shoulder. I kept replaying our conversation in my mind—the one earlier that day at the Grove. She’d referred to me as toxic and compared me to other men in her life. Her words still stung. “I had no earthly reason whatsoever to go to Louisiana. I only went to support you!”
She was right.
My phone rang and I hoped it was Jasmine. I needed to hear her voice. It took a moment to retrieve it from the pocket of my jeans.
“I found it!” Tracy’s voice couldn’t contain her excitement and pride. “I’m having the laptop delivered by messenger tomorrow.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Dead serious,” she said. “You owe me big-time!”
“Where was it?”
“At the New Orleans hotel where you and—” she cleared her throat “—the missus spent the night. I won’t even ask who the missus is.”
“I’ll tell you all about her soon enough,” I said. “But when I called, the hotel told us they hadn’t found a missing laptop. Gave us the runaround about it.”
“They just needed their memory refreshed a bit.”
“Thank you so much, Tracy. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Well, I have an idea. There’s a teenage boy at my house who needs a male voice in his ear. You can start there.”
“Consider it done,” I told her. “I have tickets to the next Miami Heat home game. Maybe Devante and I can check it out.”
“He would die if I told him!”
“Then don’t tell him. Let’s make it a surprise.”
“Thanks, Jackson.”
“No, thank you for finding that laptop. You can’t imagine how much it means to me.”
“Glad I could help.”
When I hung up, I wanted to do a Toyota jump. I was excited that Jasmine’s laptop had been located, and I couldn’t wait to tell her. Hopefully this would make things right between us again—perhaps she’d even forgive me for being an ass.
Chapter 18
Jasmine
Edward and Alyson looked like census takers as they walked around the outside of the property. Dressed in bureaucratic-looking suits and carrying briefcases, they would’ve been mistaken for a couple of bill collectors if I hadn’t known any better. I wanted to run and hide before they made their way inside the Clydesdale, but there was nowhere to escape to. So I stood in the doorway and smiled as they approached.
They were in awe of the work that had been completed thus far. The Clydesdale was fully furnished with antique furnishings, many of which were restored pieces that belonged to our grandparents. Aside from the Grand Room that housed my grandfather’s grand piano, the Clydesdale’s kitchen had been converted into a commercial space, fully stocked with stainless-steel appliances. The rustic table in the dining room would be a place where guests would gather for Bahamian meals during their stay. Each of the five bedrooms in the Clydesdale had its own name and a separate theme. The Symonette Room had already become my personal favorite. With a view of the ocean, it was the largest and most lavish room, decorated with a canopy bed, and it would no doubt be our most lucrative room. The Goombay overlooked the flower garden and had been my temporary office. The Junkanoo boasted bright colors, as festive as the event that it was named after. The Blake and the Sweet Emily were the smaller two rooms, both bursting with character. The newly built patio with a fully stocked bar would be the perfect place for patrons to spend their evenings gazing at the stars while enjoying a rum punch or sky juice.
I followed my siblings upstairs as they toured the house.
“What brings you here today?” I asked the obvious.
They were there to retrieve and review copies of my business and marketing plans. Plans that I’d lost somewhere in Louisiana and hadn’t been able to reproduce. The truth was inevitable. And it was best that they knew it sooner than later.
“It’s been two weeks, Jasmine,” said Alyson. She was all business. “You know why we’re here.”
Edward gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Things are really
looking good around here.”
“It really does look great,” said Alyson. “Jackson Conner does good work.”
“This has far exceeded my expectations,” said Edward. “I’m just in awe. And I can’t wait to see what he does with the other two houses.”
“The Talbot House is just about completed as well,” I added. Why was I stalling the inevitable with small talk?
“I’d like to get that business plan over to the Spencers this afternoon. That’ll give them a couple of days to review it before our meeting,” said Edward as he looked at the ceiling fan and fixtures in the Goombay Room. “So, where is it?”
“There’s been an unfortunate delay...” I said. “Um...I don’t really know how to tell you this...but...”
“I knew it! You couldn’t do it,” said Alyson matter-of-factly. “I told Edward on the flight over here that we were crazy not to hire a company to do this. Now here we are two days away from a meeting with potential investors, and we don’t have a business plan.”
Before I could respond, I heard the front door open and close, then heavy footsteps up the stairs. I started to call out when Jackson walked into the room. He carried a laptop in his hands that resembled mine and a manila folder. What was happening?
“I know you asked me to have five copies printed up, but I was only able to print three,” he said and handed me the manila folder. “The copies were just delivered by courier.”
I gave him a look of confusion. I had no earthly idea what he was talking about.
“Is that Jasmine’s business plan?” asked Edward.
“Yes, it is. She asked me to give it a quick review before she turned it over to you guys.” Jackson gave me a wink. “And I have to say...I wasn’t able to review the entire plan, but the parts I read were...phenomenal.”
They were? I could hardly believe what my ears were hearing. And where had Jackson found my laptop?
“May I?” Edward reached for a copy.
Jackson handed him one and then Alyson.
“We’ll need to give it a good review before we even think about sending it over to the Spencers,” said Alyson.
I gave Jackson my what’s-going-on face, and he handed me the third copy. I flipped through the crisp white pages. With just a quick review, I knew that it was, in fact, my business plan. Then he handed me my laptop and I was even more confused.
“This is very well put together,” said Edward. “I’m going to spend the rest of the day going over it. I’d like to get it to the Spencers by this afternoon. Can you send me an electronic copy of this?”
“Of course,” I said.
“I’m proud of you, Jazzy. You’ve done good,” said Edward.
“I’m surprised,” Alyson added.
“We’re headed over to Governor’s Harbour. Mother has enticed us with breakfast and we’re definitely going to take her up on it.” Edward asked, “Care to join us?”
“No. I’ve got some things I need to finish up here.”
“It’s Saturday!” exclaimed Edward. “Saturday is your day to shop.”
“Not anymore. Not since the Grove has evolved. I have a checklist a mile long and a strict timeline.”
“Don’t become a workaholic like this guy.” Edward slapped his hand against Jackson’s chest. “The two of you are becoming a lot alike.”
“Aren’t they?” asked Alyson.
“Well, if you won’t join us for breakfast we’ll see you this afternoon,” said Edward.
“I’ll be right here.” I followed them down the stairs and walked them to the door and couldn’t wait for them to exit. “Tell Ma to save me a bowl of fish stew.”
“Will do,” said Edward.
As the two of them slipped into the backseat of a taxicab, I finally exhaled.
I turned to Jackson and the questions spewed out. “What was that? Where did you find my laptop? How did you find my laptop? When did you have copies of my business plan printed?”
He responded by locking his lips with mine. I was still confused, but simply relaxed in his arms and enjoyed the kiss. Oh, how I missed those lips, his touch.
“Forgive me,” he whispered.
“Forgiven,” I whispered back. “You just saved my butt.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“Did it get me back into your good graces?” he asked.
“Big-time,” I told him. “How did you manage to find the laptop?”
“My assistant is very resourceful and was able to pull some strings. She made it happen.”
“You should give her my regards.”
“I will,” he told me. “So I can see you later, then? Maybe take you to dinner or for a walk along the beach?”
“Maybe both.”
“I can’t be without you again, Jasmine. It’s too painful. I need you.”
I was speechless. I couldn’t remember ever being needed before. My heart was overjoyed.
“Get out of here, please. Do you know what people would say if they walked in here and saw me in your arms and our lips locked together?”
“They would say, ‘Now, that’s one lucky bastard right there. He must be in love with her and doesn’t care who knows it.’”
“Love?”
“Yes, love,” he said. “I wasn’t sure at first, but now I’m pretty certain.”
“What makes you so certain now?” I couldn’t help but blush.
“For starters, I think about you all the time—way too often. I have a strong desire to be with you every moment of every day. I need to see your beautiful face and hear your voice. I’m lost when we’re apart,” he said. “Even my staff has noticed a difference in me.”
“They know about us?”
“I’m afraid they do,” said Jackson.
“My father knows, too,” I told him.
“You told your daddy about me?” he asked with a smirk.
“Everything.”
“Everything?” Jackson asked. “Is he looking for me?”
“Quite possibly.”
We both laughed heartily.
“Thank you for having my back today,” I said. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much that meant to me.”
“You don’t have to tell me, because I already know,” he said. “I will always have your back, Jasmine. I promise.”
“That’s a huge promise,” I told him.
“I always keep my promises.”
I placed my hand gently on his face. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
After a quick kiss on my nose, Jackson held me tightly. Neither of us wanted to let go.
“I’ve come up with the perfect way that you can repay me for saving your butt today.”
“How?” I asked.
“Miami Heat versus the LA Lakers, center court seats, Friday night. You, me, a hormonal teenage boy and nachos.”
“What?”
“Just pack a weekend bag, and be ready for an afternoon flight to Key West and an adventurous drive to Miami...and...my mother’s going to love you,” said Jackson. “Trust me.”
Before I could protest or ask the million questions that suddenly raced through my head, Jackson kissed my lips and then rushed out the door.
* * *
Saturdays had begun to feel just like weekdays since the Clydesdale was completed, and the Talbot House wasn’t far behind. The Grove was beginning to feel like a real business. There was so much that needed to be done. Applications for operational licenses and permits needed to be followed up on. Governmental agencies needed to be consulted. An accountant needed to be hired soon, and the Grove’s staffing plan needed to be executed.
I was happy to have my laptop back and intact. All my files and pictures were in p
lace and hadn’t been tampered with. I sat down in my chair and decided to check my email. I was surprised to find an email from my brother Edward to Charles Spencer—Darren’s father—with a copy to me. My business plan had been attached without any changes or additions. My name had been given as a point of contact in case there were questions. I had successfully earned my brother’s trust and quite possibly my sister’s. I wasn’t so sure how much of Alyson’s trust I had earned, but I really didn’t care. I’d earned Edward’s and that was all that mattered. It felt good. On top of it, Jackson was in love with me—and I with him. Life was golden again.
Chapter 19
Jasmine
Darren was a mirror image of his father, Charles Spencer. Both men were handsome, tall, with dark skin and medium build. The only visible difference was the elder Spencer’s graying beard. As much as I hated to admit it, Darren looked dazzling in his executive, navy suit. I couldn’t help but stare. With a precise haircut and a perfectly shaven face, he was more handsome than I remembered. And when he hugged me, I remembered how those arms felt around me.
“Hello, Jasmine,” he said in his Bahamian dialect. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
“It’s been too long.” Darren grabbed my hands, opened my arms wide to get a better look at me. “You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
Jackson stood in the corner of the room, his arms folded across his chest. It was obvious that he was uncomfortable with the attention that Darren showed me. Alyson offered her own look of disapproval and rolled her eyes.
“Why don’t we all have a seat in the dining room,” Edward suggested.
Alyson had already snagged the seat at the head of the table. Darren and his father followed Edward into the dining room. I took a seat at the table opposite of Darren, and Jackson took the seat next to me.
“Jasmine, I understand that you were the one to prepare the business and marketing plan,” said Mr. Spencer. He looked distinguished in his gray suit, and his smile, though rarely seen, was much more gorgeous than his son’s.
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