Richmond, Virginia
∞
Jasmine stood in front of the mirror adjusting her dress. With the arms out and a v-neck, it stopped just above her knees. It was her favorite color, red. The perfect combination next to her caramel colored skin, and dark brown eyes. She rubbed her hands over the curves of her body, satisfied with her reflection.
She and her friends were going out that night, to the grand opening of a new club. At the sound of her doorbell chiming, she stepped away from the mirror.
“Just a minute,” she yelled, while running down the stairs. Jasmine knew who it was before she opened the door.
“Okay, body goals!”
At five three, the same height as Jasmine, Tessa stood in a purple low-cut mini dress, stopping mid-thigh. With her pear shape and milk chocolate skin, she caught the eye of any man she came in contact with.
“Thanks boo, you don't look too shabby yourself. I love the new hair color,” Tessa said, as she embraced Jasmine in a hug.
“You don't think I went too dark?” Jasmine ran her hands through the long strands, of her recently dyed black hair.
“No. Against your complexion, it's perfect.” Tessa followed as Jasmine went back upstairs to her room. “Where are we going tonight?”
“That new club, Stallions. Lisa is going to meet us there. Our reservation is set for eight-thirty.”
Lisa was their other close friend. The three of them met in nursing school twelve years prior. However, Jasmine had chosen to continue her studies and become a nurse practitioner. She owned a private practice with her friend Avery, Lisa's husband.
“You know she's always the last to show up,” Jasmine said, as she slipped on her shoes.
“Are we riding together?”
“That depends on if you have plans later.”
Tessa gave Jasmine a look that said don't go there. “Not tonight, I'm hanging with my girls.”
Jasmine continued to look at her with uncertainty, but decided to give her the benefit of doubt. Just because Tessa claimed not to have plans, didn't put them in the clear. There was still the chance of her hooking up with someone at Stallions. Then, their evening would be cut short.
“OK fine, we'll take my car. Let me grab my purse and I'll be ready.”
Downstairs they entered the garage.
“I love this car” Tessa said, climbing into the passenger side of the Audi A5 Coupe. It was Jasmine's weekend car.
“That makes two of us.”
On their way to Stallions, Lisa called.
Jasmine turned the volume down on the radio, interrupting Tessa's off-key singing. “Are you on your way?”
“I should be there in ten minutes.”
Jasmine laughed. Ten minutes to Lisa, meant thirty.
“OK, see you then.”
Taking the next exit they got off the expressway. Shortly after they turned into Stallions.
“Damn, that's a long line. I hope we can find somewhere to park,” Tessa said.
“Yeah. I'll use Valet, I don't have time to argue with anyone tonight.”
Jasmine pulled up to the valet, and waited for the attendant to open the door. As she stepped out of the car, his eyes went straight to her breast. She gave Tessa a quick glance with a smile.
“Thanks.” Jasmine handed him her key.
“You're welcome.” His mouth moved, but his eyes never looked up.
After getting checked at the door, they proceeded inside. The cool air caressed Jasmine's skin like a soft mist. It felt refreshing, the nights were warm in Richmond that time of year.
“I'll go check on our table,” Tessa said, before walking in the direction of the hostess.
Jasmine nodded and took a moment to look around. It was packed. Almost everyone she knew had talked about coming to the opening. She had to admit, it was worth the wait. The atmosphere was exciting and alluring. Despite the large crowd she still had room to move and breathe, unlike some other clubs she'd gone to. Feeling loose and relaxed, Jasmine began to dance to the beat of the song playing.
“What's the verdict?” she asked when Tessa returned.
“It's not quite ready. How about we go wait at the bar.”
While making their way over, a tall handsome man approached them. Inviting them to join him in the VIP section.
“Sorry, we're meeting another friend, and it's only us girls tonight,” Tessa said.
“If you change your mind, my name is Jake. You can let the guy at the stairs know you're with me.” He looked Tessa up and down, before walking away.
“Down girl,” Jasmine teased.
“What? He's fine and cute.” Tessa was still gawking in his direction.
“Yes he is. Now come on, lets get our drinks.” Jasmine grabbed Tessa by the arm and pulled her towards the bar.
After taking her seat, Jasmine found herself enjoying the view. The bartender wore all black except for the white Stallions' logo on his t-shirt. The shirt itself, looked as though it been painted on to his body.
“Hi, my name is Chase. What can I do for you?” His voice vibrated, with a deep seductive baritone.
Jasmine was still daydreaming, and hadn't paid much attention to the words coming out of his mouth.
Tessa waved her hand in front of Jasmine's face. “Hello, earth to Jaz.”
“Sorry. What?”
“He asked what you wanted to drink. I already ordered.”
“I'll take sex, I mean, a sex on the beach!” She closed her eyes tight after stumbling with her words.
Chase winked at her, and with a smirk he went to fill their orders.
“What the hell was that?”
“What?”
“That!” Tessa pointed towards the bartender. “You just made a movie over here.”
Jasmine shrugged. “So, you do it all the time.”
“Yeah. I do that, not you. If you're starting to behave like me, then clearly it's been too long since you got some.”
Tessa's assumption was true. It had been a while, almost three years.
“I can't help that I'm particular about who I sleep with. I have standards. Besides, sex is overrated anyway.”
Tessa laughed. “This coming from the woman who ask the bartender for sex. And what do you mean you have standards? You don't think I do?”
Jasmine didn't dare answer Tessa's question. There wasn't enough time in their evening to dive into that conversation. When Chase returned, Jasmine tried her best not to look him in the eyes. She figured if she did, he would know about the private movie she'd made, featuring him.
“This round is on the house. Will there be anything else for you ladies?”
Jasmine didn't respond. She instead looked at Tessa, who wore a devilish look on her face.
“Yes, actually...”
Jasmine nudged Tessa in the side, causing her to spill some of her drink. Taking the hint, she abstained from saying anything else.
“What about you?” Chase turned his attention towards Jasmine. His tone implied his invitation referred to more than drinks.
“No, I'm good. Thank you.”
“I'm sure you are. If you need anything, let me know.” With another smirk, he walked away.
Jasmine was processing his response when their table became available. Turning her attention towards the hostess, she followed.
“Here you are, I hope you both enjoy your evening.”
“Thanks,” they replied in union.
Tessa stared at the entrance. “We've been here longer than thirty minutes, where is Lisa?”
“You know she takes forever. What's the matter, have you been fasting or something?”
“Ha, ha. No, but if she doesn't get here soon, I'm ordering without her.”
While they were talking, their waiter walked over.
“Hello, my name is Jeremy. I'll be your server tonight. Are you ready to order?”
“We're still waiting for another person to show,” Jasmine said.
“OK, would you like an appetize
r while you wait?”
“Yes!” Tessa said impatiently. “I'll take some fried calamari.”
“No problem.”
“Thank you.” Tessa leaned over to get a better view, as he walked away. “Stallions certainly does not disappoint. There's a lot of eye candy in here.”
“Yes I agree, cougar... Is that your phone ringing?”
“Yeah, it better be Lisa.” Reaching into her wristlet, Tessa pulled out her phone. “Hey, where are you?”
“I see her,” Jasmine said.
“We're sitting in the back.” Tessa stood and raised her arm in the air.
Jasmine saw Lisa walking in their direction. “Here she comes.”
“Hey y'all. Don't you two look sexy.”
At five-three, with long blonde hair and a runner's body, Lisa was a trophy wife. She was very pretty inside and out. They considered her to be the party girl of the group. That was until Jasmine introduced her to Avery. From the very first date, they hit it off. Now two and a half years later, they were married and working on starting a family.
“I've missed you girls so much!” Lisa said sitting next to Tessa.
“Didn't we just go out last week?” Jasmine asked.
“Yeah we did, but I need a little more girl time. With Avery and me working on having a baby, I feel as though I don't get out as much.”
“So the two of you have been fucking all day?” Tessa began twirling her hips and pouting her lips.
Jasmine did everything she could not to laugh. She could tell Lisa was being serious.
“Tessa, I think our friend is trying to have an adult conversation with us.”
“What? I'm asking an adult question.”
Jasmine was about to say something, but their waiter Jeremy returned.
“Ah, your other guest has arrived.”
Lisa smiled. “Yes, I'm finally here.”
“Would you care for something to drink ma'am?”
“Yes, I'll have whatever she's drinking.” Lisa said, pointing to Jasmine's glass.
Tessa laughed, then closed her lips tight when Jasmine glanced at her. Both were thinking of her slip of the tongue, with the bartender.
Lisa and the waiter eyed the two of them. Neither had a clue of the inside joke.
“Would you like to order now, or do you still need a couple of minutes?”
Jasmine looked up from her menu. “Give us a few more minutes, please.”
“Sure, take your time.”
Jasmine waited for him to leave, then opened her mouth to speak. She was interrupted by another waiter, holding a bottle of Dom Perignon.
“We didn't order that,” both she and Tessa said.
“It's complements of the owner, and so is your dinner tonight.” After sitting the bottle down, he walked away.
The three of them looked at each other, then at the nearby tables. To their surprise, no one else had a bottle of Dom.
“What do you think about that?” Jasmine asked.
The other two women were also clueless.
“I think, we should be thankful and enjoy it,” Tessa said.
Jasmine shrugged and picked up her menu, forgetting what she was going to say. The next time their waiter returned, they were ready to order.
While dining, they talked about their weekly activities. Lisa provided them with an update on her and Avery's attempt to conceive. Tessa gave Jasmine a hard time about being in a book club. Which then, somehow led to them discussing Tessa's frequent changes in men.
Jasmine glanced at her phone. “I'm calling it a night you guys, Laurel's reception is tomorrow.”
“We should probably go too,” Lisa said, she and Tessa were also attending.
After leaving the waiter a tip, they walked out into the humid summer night air.
Lisa's car, arrived first. “It's been fun, as usual. I'll see y'all tomorrow.”
They watched as she drove off. A couple of minutes later, Jasmine's car came around.
“What time is the reception, again?” Tessa asked.
“Three o'clock... Why?”
Tessa looked up from her phone momentarily. “No reason, just checking.”
Jasmine didn't push the issue, her attention became drawn to the valet attendant. He was writing her tag down. Confused, she took a step towards him, but the sound of a couple arguing, made her look away.
“Don't tell me to calm down!” The woman's voice became louder. “I saw you looking at her ass!”
When Jasmine turned back around, he was gone. She was now being approached by a different attendant.
“Here you go ma'am.”
She started to ask him why they needed her tag number, but changed her mind. She was tired and ready to go home. “Thanks.”
As she drove home, Jasmine glanced over to the passenger side and noticed Tessa was still absorbed in her phone. It was obvious she was texting a guy. She could always tell by Tessa's promiscuous smile.
“Who are you sexting now?”
Tessa laughed. “Sean's crazy ass, he wants me to come by tonight.”
Jasmine glanced at the clock, it was twelve-thirty. “I knew it was a booty call.”
“What's wrong with that?”
Tessa continued to read Sean's text messages, while giggling. Jasmine figured she would let it go. At least Tessa had made it through the night, without bailing on them. To show her gratitude, she endured Tessa's outbursts of ridiculous laughter.
When Jasmine pulled into her garage and turned off the car, Tessa seemed oblivious to the fact they had reached their destination.
“Are you coming in?”
“No, I need to go home and freshen up.” Tessa bit her tongue, before stepping out of the car and prancing towards her own.
“Of course you do.”
In a way, Jasmine envied her ability to live so carefree. After Tessa left, she set the alarm and walked upstairs as she checked her messages. She had three, and they were all from her mother. Jasmine shook her head at her mother's rambling. At times, she could be overwhelming. Jasmine figured she meant well and had done her best, raising her as a single parent. Nevertheless, she had been dealing with her controlling nature all her life.
Sighing in irritation, she deleted them and turned on the shower. As she undressed, her thoughts drifted to the owner of Stallions. She found it odd, that he or she had paid for their meal and sent over a bottle of Dom. She wondered if perhaps it was a mix up. Whatever the case, it was too late.
Switching her thoughts again, Jasmine remembered the cute bartender. It had been so long since she'd endured a man's touch. Those days she got off by hand or using her rabbit. Tessa argued that sex toys were not the same, which was true. However, Jasmine didn't have to deal with the extra crap that came along with a man, and there was always the guarantee she'd come.
With her thoughts still on Chase, she used her fingers and the shower head, to give herself relief. By no means was Jasmine a prude, she was far from that. She was just cautious about letting another man in her bed, because even after they were gone they left memories she couldn't erase.
∞
Drew stared at the piece of paper in his hand. “Jasmine Williams.” He let her name roll off his tongue.
It was the name of the woman he'd seen inside Stallions the night before. Despite the difference in the way she wore her hair, she and Nina looked identical. It was surreal, like seeing a ghost. Drew told Jake to invite her and her friend up to the VIP section. When that failed he planned to introduce himself, but unfortunately he got tied up with other issues.
Once more, Drew gazed at the paper and sipped on his glass of Hennessy. With the recent anniversary of Nina's death, he suffered from restless nights. Now some stranger with her face, threaten to occupy his waking thoughts. For the time being, he only knew her name and basic information. Jake, who was also head of his security, was working on the rest. Soon, he hoped to know more.
He placed the paper face down on the desk, and rubbed his temples. Drew
realized his stay in Richmond, would be much longer than he expected. At the moment, he needed to deal with his family. It was Saturday, and Drew had promised his mother he would stop by. Not wanting to disappoint her, he prepared himself for the bittersweet homecoming.
Chapter Two
First Encounters.
O n Saturday, Jasmine awakened at six-thirty. Granted her cousin's reception started later that afternoon, she wasn't taking any chances. With a yawn, she made her way to the bathroom. She went through her normal routine, in which she rarely deviated from. After turning on the television, she searched her closet for something to wear.
As she searched, Jasmine thought of her own wedding. The most embarrassing day of her life. Although it had almost been three years, the scars were still fresh. The year prior, Avery's and Lisa's wedding had brought up the painful memory. Somehow, Jasmine managed to serve as a bridesmaid without having a meltdown.
When she learned Laurel had decided to have a private ceremony in Hawaii, she was relieved. The thought of walking down the aisle again, made her cringe. For laurel, she would have pushed through if she needed to. The two of them were close. When they were younger, they pretended to be sisters. Both being the only child, they valued each other's company. Sadly, when the girls started middle school, Laurel and her parents moved away.
Then a short time after high school her parents separated, forcing Laurel and her mother to move back to Richmond. For a couple of years, they lived with Jasmine and her mother. Jasmine admired her mom's and aunt's relationship. They shared a bond she often long for in a sibling.
Downstairs in the kitchen, she made herself a light breakfast and called her mother who was also an early riser.
“Hey ma.”
“Good morning. Did you check your messages yesterday?”
“Yes, I did. I appreciate you trying to set me up, but I'm focusing on my career at the moment.”
When her mother remained quiet, Jasmine changed the subject hoping to soften her rejection.
New Hearts Old Flame Page 2