New Hearts Old Flame

by M D Alexander

  Drew chuckled. “My mistake, Jaz... What else are you into, besides books?”

  “I hang out with my friends occasionally, for the most part I'm busy with work.”

  “What is it that you do?”

  “I specialize in mental health, as a nurse practitioner. What about you?”

  “I'm an Entrepreneur. I buy and invest in different businesses.”

  “Do you enjoy what you do?”

  When Drew smiled, Jasmine became slightly alarmed.

  “Yes, I like being my own boss. The one in control... I take it, you enjoy what you do as well.”

  “Of course, I like helping people. I think a person's mental health is extremely important.”

  Drew appeared to be hanging on to her every word. She smiled nervously, as her body temperature started rising.

  “You have a beautiful smile,” he said. “Has anyone ever told you that?”

  “Yes, and thank you.”

  They continued to talk, and Jasmine completely forgot about her book.

  She glanced at her watch. “I can't believe it’s already five o’clock, we’ve been talking for hours. I'm keeping you from delivering your aunt's book.”

  “It's fine, besides I stopped you from reading yours.”

  “I still have three days to complete it.”

  “Ah, yes. You didn't tell me when and where I'm supposed to show up.”

  Jasmine didn't really think he was going to come. Now that he brought it back up, she realized he intended to be there.

  “We're meeting at seven o'clock, at Impact Grill. Have you ever been there before?”

  “No, but I'll find it.”

  Jasmine looked around, others were inside the book store now.

  “I should probably head home. I need to prepare for the week.” She began to gather her things.

  “Here's my card.” Drew turned it over and wrote his cell number on the back. “Please, call me anytime. Perhaps we can meet up before Thursday. You can tell me about the book.”

  “Oh really. You do understand you're supposed to read it, right?” Jasmine told him, partially teasing.

  Drew was amused. She was tough, definitely not a push over.

  “Of course, I figured you'd cut me some slack. This being my first book club meeting,” Drew said, flashing his perfect smile.

  Jasmine decided to give him a pass. “Alright, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll check and see which day I have the least patients.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Standing, she glanced over towards Rafael. At the moment he was occupied with a young woman. The two seemed to be flirting with one another. Kudos for him she thought.

  Jasmine stepped from around the table. “What about the book for your aunt?”

  “Right. Wait here for a moment. Please.”

  “Sure.”

  Drew hurried over to the register. While standing in line, he glanced back at her.

  Jasmine smiled and wondered if he thought she was going to leave. As Drew made his way back, her stomach plunged to the floor. She had never in her life, been so attracted to someone. She could feel herself become moist.

  “Thanks for waiting,” he said, now standing in front of her.

  “No problem.”

  Turning around, she started walking towards the door. When Drew placed his hand on her back, she peeked over her shoulders at him.

  “What's wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  By the time they got outside, she'd regained her composure. Drew continued to walk with her towards the car.

  “This is me.” Reaching inside her purse, she retrieved her key. “Thanks.”

  She noticed he had that look again, as if he was searching for something inside of her.

  “I'll see you on Thursday,” she said, feeling a little awkward.

  “What happened to Tuesday or Wednesday.”

  Jasmine blinked at her slip of the mind. “Oh yes, I forgot.” Opening the door of the car, she sat in the seat and stared back at him.

  “It was a pleasure meeting you Jaz.”

  “Like wise, Drew.”

  With a smirk on his face he closed the door.

  Jasmine was disappointed she had to leave. She'd enjoyed talking to him. Most of the guys who approached her, lacked intellect. The conversations were always stale and boring. Not with Drew, their interaction had been exhilarating. His handsomeness was the icing on the cake. She wasn’t sure, but she estimated him to be at least six-two. A tall sexy piece of eye candy.

  “Oh God! I'm starting to think like Tessa.”

  By the time she arrived home, Jasmine's face still displayed a smile. In her head, she replayed every word they'd said to each other. Across the street, she saw her neighbor Mrs. Walsh, working in her yard. At seventy, she moved like a twenty-year-old.

  Jasmine loved her home. The neighborhood was family oriented and friendly. She had only been there a year, but she was very pleased with her choice. After looking at several properties, she made a decision and purchased the home that past summer. It was a Tudor style, with all the old charm she loved. After a little TLC and minor renovations, she transformed the house into her dream home.

  “Hi Mrs. Walsh.”

  The older woman waved her hand. “Hi Jaz, how have you been?”

  “Good, what about you?”

  “I can’t complain. I'm trying to get some work done while there’s still light. It was too hot earlier.”

  “I agree. Tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter. Anyway, you take care.”

  “You too.”

  After settling in, Jasmine went into the kitchen to make a salad. Her cell phone began to ring.

  “Hey Tessa, what’s up?”

  “Are you home?”

  “Yes, I just got here. Are you coming over?”

  “Yeah, I need to borrow a dress.”

  Tessa was always borrowing Jasmine's clothes, unfortunately she never returned them.

  “I'm gonna start charging you.”

  “Why? I'm doing you a favor. Who else is going to wear them?”

  “Rude! For your information, I met someone today and I plan on seeing him again this week.

  “Shut up!” Tessa was in disbelief. She worried that Jasmine had become too picky about men. “Where? I want details.”

  “At the bookstore.”

  “I'm sorry, but did you say the book store?”

  “Yes I did. What's wrong with that?”

  “Nothing. It's just not my kind of place to shop.”

  By shop, Tessa was referring to fishing for men.

  “Yes, I know. Now do you wanna hear about him or not?”

  “Of course I do.”

  Jasmine told Tessa about her intriguing conversation with Drew, and described to her, the way he looked.

  “And you invited the man to your book club meeting?”

  “I didn't think he was gonna say yes.”

  “What's his name?”

  “Drew.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He's a business man.”

  “So he has money?”

  “I didn't ask him his net worth.”

  “How old is he?”

  “I'm not sure. He appeared to be in his thirties, we never discussed our ages. Are there anymore questions counsel?”

  “I'm trying to see what this guy has, that the other hundred or so didn't.”

  “It has not been that many, thank you very much. If you must know, I found him refreshing and different.”

  “Uh huh. So you're seeing him again on Thursday.”

  “It might be sooner than that. We're meeting up either Tuesday or Wednesday to go over the book. I'm going by Cambria's after work tomorrow, to pick out a new dress.”

  “Cambria's? He must be special, count me in. What time should I meet you there?”

  “I'm not sure yet, I'll text you tomorrow. Did you change your mind about coming over?”

  “I'm on the way now, but I can't s
tay. Can you bring your black dress, that has the back out to me when I get there?”

  “So, not only do you want to borrow my clothes. You want me to provide curb side service as well?”

  “Please.”

  “I want this one back Tessa, I've only worn it once.”

  “OK fine, I'll bring it back dry-cleaned.”

  “Uh huh.”

  The next morning, after snoozing her alarm twice, Jasmine forced herself out of bed. It was unlike her to over sleep, but once again, she had the same nightmare. After washing up and making her way to the kitchen, she fixed something quick.

  Back upstairs in her bedroom, she ransacked her closet looking for something to wear. At last, she decided on a black skirt and a white sheer blouse. While flat ironing her hair, she cursed at herself for not wrapping it the night before.

  “Shit!” Jasmine cursed again, when her right contact lens fell down the sink. Looking in the cabinet she reached for the box, but it was empty.

  “Fantastic!”

  Throwing the box in the trash, she searched for her backup glasses and glanced at the clock. Ironically, despite all her mishaps she had plenty of time to spare. Slipping on her heels she went downstairs.

  “I'm forgetting something. Duh!” Grabbing her lab coat and her keys off the table, she headed for the garage.

  On her way to the office, Jasmine thought about a conversation she had with Tessa. It was one of her many, 'get on with your life' speeches. She was encouraging Jasmine to relax and enjoy the company of a man. Recommending that Jasmine try a relationship without commitment, expectations, or titles. Jasmine wasn't sure she could do that. She wasn't a 'casual sex' person.

  She had no desire to sleep with random dudes. On top of that, her biggest fear, was letting the wrong man in her life again. Everyone assumed it was about Calvin, but it wasn't, not directly. She had left him and the woman he'd chosen over her in the past.

  Jasmine drove into the parking lot of the one story brick building and went inside.

  “Good morning Ms. Williams,” Mrs. Potts, the office secretary greeted.

  She was sweet, and had been with them since they opened the practice four years prior.

  “Hi Mrs. Potts, is Dr. Grant in yet?”

  “No I haven’t seen him, but I'm sure he’s on his way.”

  “Of course, I'm going to get started. With us moving to the new location, I figured I'd get a jump on packing.

  By ten forty-five, Jasmine was ready for her first break. She had packed several boxes and seen two patients.

  “Knock, Knock.”

  Avery stepped inside her office. “Good morning, how’s packing going?”

  “Not bad, I'm making progress. What about you?” From the look he gave, Jasmine knew he hadn't started.

  “Yeah, I should be packing now. By the way, I wanted to say thanks for all the extra time you’ve put in. With the wedding last year, and now with us trying to conceive, you’ve been picking up my slack.”

  “We're partners, I wouldn’t let you down. I consider you and Lisa family.”

  “I know and I'm grateful for that.” Avery turned to leave. “I almost forgot. Lisa said to remind you of the party. It's coming up in a couple of weeks. I should warn you though, she plans to set you up with someone.”

  “Tell her that won't be necessary.”

  Avery raised an eyebrow. “Oh, are you seeing someone?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Who's the lucky guy? Do I know him?”

  “No, I don't think so.”

  Avery nodded and made the face he always made, when he became curious about something.

  “I'll be sure to tell Lisa what you said.” With a smirk, he walked out of her office.

  Jasmine figured he would let it go for now, but eventually he would ask more questions. They had known each other for sixteen years. They met her freshman year of college, before he transferred to med school. With his striking good looks and charismatic personality, she developed a crush on him. They even went out on one date. But after hanging out that night, they quickly realized they were better off friends.

  Throughout their careers, they remained close and decided to go into business together. It took hard work getting their practice up and running. In the end, it had been worth it. Things were going well now, to the point they needed to expand.

  Financially Jasmine's life was great. On top of that, she was surrounded by people who cared about her. In her opinion, she didn't need a man. That still didn't stop her from thinking about Drew.

  As the day went by, she proceeded to box things up while in between patients. At one o'clock, she text Tessa about meeting up after work. While sitting at her desk, she dug Drew's card out of her purse. He was mysterious to her. Jasmine couldn't explain why, but she was eager to figure him out.

  After going back and forth in her mind, she decided to call him. On the second ring, Drew answered.

  “Hello.”

  Jasmine closed her eyes at the sound of his deep rich voice, it was making her swoon.

  “Hey, Drew. This is Jaz, from the book store.”

  “I remember.”

  His tone was seductive, making her pause for a second. “How's it going?”

  “Business meetings and conference calls. I'm getting ready to fly to New York.”

  “Oh, that sounds like a lot.” Jasmine placed her hand on her forehead. Surely she could have come up with a better response. She was nervous, and it had been a while since she played the telephone game.

  “Nothing I can't handle. What about you? Are you working hard today?”

  “It's Monday, nothing I can't handle,” she said mimicking him.

  Drew laughed. “What time are you getting off?”

  “My last patient is at Five o'clock. Afterward I'm meeting my friend, and we're going shopping.” Now she was rambling, and volunteering information he hadn't asked for.

  “Sounds like fun. If I get back from New York at a decent time, I'll give you a call.”

  “But you don't have my number.”

  Drew realized she hadn't given him her number. He'd obtained it through Jake. Not wanting to be found out, he played it off.

  “Then you're going to have to give it to me.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  Shortly after, their call ended. Sitting back in her chair, Jasmine bit her lip. She tried to stop smiling but she couldn't. As she swiveled in the chair, her fingers stroked his card.

  Chapter Four

  Fast Lane.

  A fter a quick lunch, Jasmine called and reordered her contacts. By the end of the day she was exhausted, but determined to keep her date with Tessa. They manage to arrive at Cambria's at the same time.

  “I hate Mondays,” Tessa said, walking towards the entrance of the store.

  Jasmine held the door open. “Hello to you too.”

  “Hi ladies, welcome to Cambria's. Is this your first visit or a repeat?”

  “Repeat,” both replied.

  “Is there something in particular you're looking for?”

  “No, we're just browsing,” Jasmine said.

  They both walked over to the new arrivals rack.

  Tessa picked up a mini skirt and held it to her waist. “So tell me more about this mystery man.”

  “Didn't we go through all this last night?”

  “Yes, but I'm certain you've talked to him since yesterday.”

  “What makes you say that?” Jasmine was deliberately stalling.

  Tessa gave her a look of irritation.

  “You're right, I talked to him this morning.” With a smirk, Jasmine walked around to the other side of the rack.

  “Well come on! Don't string me along. I need details.”

  “He left for New York earlier, but he'll be back tonight.” Jasmine retrieved Drew's card out of her purse. “Here's his business card.”

  Tessa scanned her eyes over the card and handed it back to her.

  “What is that look about? Is
something wrong?”

  “His name. I can't put my finger on it, but I know him.”

  “Tessa! Don't tell me you slept with him.”

  “No, nothing like that!”

  Relieved but curious, Jasmine resumed her search for a dress. Undecided, she picked more than one, along with shoes and accessories. The sale associate was extremely happy about her purchase, and threw in a few free lip balms.

  “Thanks and please come again.”

  Tessa rubbed her hand against her stomach. “Where to now?”

  “Home, I want to try everything on.”

  “Do you have food?”

  Jasmine laughed. “Come on, I'm sure we can find you something.”

  Tessa followed Jasmine into the house. Kicking off her shoes, she sat at the kitchen counter. “My feet are killing me.”

  “Mine too.” Jasmine put her bags down and walked to the fridge. “So where do you think you know Drew from?” she asked, still thinking about what Tessa said back at the store.

  “I'm not sure, but his name looks familiar. Like I've seen it somewhere before. Wait... hold on.” Tessa reached for her phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I'm looking up his name.”

  “What do you think you'll find?”

  “I'm not sure. Maybe he has something to do with the hospital.”

  Jasmine opened up the fridge and pulled out the lunch meat.

  “A sandwich, that's what you're feeding me?”

  “It's better than nothing.”

  Tessa rolled her eyes and stared back at her phone. “Oh shit!”

  “What? He's married, isn't he.”

  “No, he's not married.” Tessa started reading the article on Drew out loud;

  “One of New York's most eligible bachelors and local business man, Drew Watts, is making headlines again. This time for opening another Stallions, his successful nightclub chain. The new location will be in Richmond, Virginia. Watts, who is a Virginia native, is considered to be one of the wealthiest and youngest real estate investors on the east coast.”

  She stopped reading and looked up at Jasmine. “Shall I continue?”

  Jasmine held out her hand and Tessa gave her the phone. Seeing that Jasmine was now preoccupied, she walked over to the counter and finished making her own sandwich.