Guarding His Heart

by Synithia Williams

  She squeezed his arm and walked out of the kitchen. Kevin felt as if he’d been knocked off his feet.

  “She’s right, you know,” his grandmother’s voice came from the door of the kitchen.

  Kevin continued to stare at the spot Sabrina had been. “I was so afraid I was like him.”

  “It’s time for you to heal, baby,” Charlotte said.

  He finally looked at his grandmother, saw the love and hope in her eyes that made his chest ache. “From what?”

  “From your breakups with Sabrina and Hanna. They hurt you, too, but don’t let that break you. Be happy.”

  Maybe he’d already screwed things up with Jasmine. There was no guarantee she’d take him back, but did he really want to give up and not try? He didn’t take a simple defeat on the court. Why should he admit defeat now? If he had screwed things up, he could find a way to fix things, too.

  He smiled at his grandmother. “I will.”

  Chapter 22

  Jasmine invited Jada over to celebrate her victory. She’d finally gotten out of her own head and selected the photos she wanted to use for the show. The celebration consisted of the two of them with wine and popcorn in Jasmine’s living room, but it felt like Jasmine’s birthday. She was filled with thankfulness, optimism and the urge to toast good fortune.

  “What helped you finally pick the shots?” Jada asked. She had her feet propped up on Jasmine’s coffee table. The window was open to let out the smell of the first bag of microwave popcorn Jasmine had burned. The city sounds drifted in. “Not that I mind coming over for an early-afternoon wine celebration.”

  “I had to get out of my own head. Plus, when Angelo from the Angelero Gallery called last week to confirm some of the details, it hit me I couldn’t doubt myself. He was excited and that reminded me that I wouldn’t have gotten the offer to exhibit or the book deal if others didn’t believe in my project, too. I can’t let everyone down.”

  “Well, here’s to overcoming obstacles.” Jada raised her glass. “And to overcoming misconceptions.”

  Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Will you stop being smug for half a day?”

  “No. I knew you’d be glad you met with Kathy.”

  “You were right. It was good for me to hear her side of the story. I still don’t like her decisions, but I needed to hear her out.”

  Jada’s smug look gave way to hesitation. “Are you going to say anything to Dad?”

  Jasmine had spoken to her dad after meeting with Kathy. Though the questions had bubbled in her chest, she hadn’t voiced them. “Not yet. When he called, he was so happy about the promotion at his job. I’m still upset that he didn’t let Kathy see us when she first asked. A part of me is angry, but I didn’t want to argue with him and ruin his day.”

  “And the other part?” Jada asked.

  Jasmine took a sip of wine. “Understands he was also trying to protect us, I guess. He didn’t know what keeping Kathy in our lives would result in. I can’t let my pain over Kathy not being around cloud my judgment when I ask for his side of the story. I’ll talk with him about it soon.”

  Jada tilted her head to the side. Her eyes lit with admiration. “Look at you, being grown and reasonable.”

  “Is that so hard to believe?”

  “Not really. Sometimes I think you’re reasonable when you should freak out a little. Kathy told me you invited her to your showing.”

  “I did. I’ll talk with Dad before then. That way he isn’t blindsided when she shows up.”

  “They haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

  “Don’t get any crazy fanciful ideas.” Their dad had also been excited about a new woman he’d met. Though he hadn’t dated seriously since divorcing Kathy, and Jasmine wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to marry again, she did want her dad to have a companion and find happiness.

  Jada tried to look innocent. “Who said I had ideas?”

  Jasmine’s cell phone rang. She narrowed her eyes at Jada as she picked up her phone. “Dad is happy now. Don’t stir up old stuff that needs to be left alone.” She looked at the number on the screen. It was the gallery. She held up a finger to Jada, silently asking her sister to hold her next comment, and answered, “Hello?”

  “Jasmine, hi. It’s Angelo. I had to call you immediately. I have another artist here interested in showing his work in my gallery. The only problem is he wants to show at the same time as you.”

  Jasmine sat up abruptly on the couch. The bag of popcorn in her lap spilling onto the floor. “That’s too bad for him, because I’ve already been scheduled.”

  “I know, but he’s insistent that you give up a week, and I’m a little interested in what he’s offering.”

  “Are you serious? You can’t be willing to kick me out.” Jasmine had known Angelo for years and never would have expected him to drop one exhibit in favor of another. Not this late in the game anyway.

  “I’d like you to come over so we can discuss this in person.”

  “Who is he?” Only a few people in the industry had that much weight. She was popular, but if there was a player big enough to oust her, she was going to have to prepare for a fight.

  “Just come down and let’s talk. I’ll tell you everything when you get here.”

  “I’m coming now.” She ended the call and stood, brushing crumbs off her torn jeans onto the floor.

  “What’s wrong?” Jada asked.

  “Some jerk is trying to take over my time at the gallery. I’ve got to go down there and straighten this out.” She was already looking for her purse and keys.

  “Can they do that?”

  Jasmine glared at her sister. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  She was out of her apartment in an instant. She fumed as she flagged down a taxi. How could Angelo do this to her? They’d been friends for years. He had been just as excited about showing Jasmine’s new work as Jasmine had. Now he was ready to dump Jasmine for someone else?

  Oh no. She wasn’t giving up a second of her time for anyone. Regardless of who they were. She’d had enough to deal with this summer without the added disappointment of losing her opportunity to at least make her professional life something worth fighting for.

  The taxi finally arrived, and Jasmine’s hot anger hadn’t chilled. After the trip, she paid, shot out of the car like a bullet and marched to the gallery. She snatched open the door, not paying attention to the Closed sign or the fact that Angelero wasn’t usually closed this early on a Saturday.

  She marched through the door. “Angelo, we need to talk now.”

  She looked around for Angelo, ready to fight despite their years of friendship, then froze. She sucked in a breath. Her purse thudded to the floor.

  The open exhibit space was filled with pictures of her and Kevin. The first selfie they’d taken when he’d told her she was beautiful in pictures. Photos he’d snapped of her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention to him. Silly moments they’d had together as he’d shown her around Silver Springs. Her talking to his grandmother and laughing with Rachel and Tank. Their victory picture with the certificates Angela had given out at couples game night.

  Tears burned in her eyes and throat. She placed a hand over her pounding heart. “What’s this?”

  “The only way I could think of to get you to talk to me,” Kevin’s voice came from behind.

  Jasmine closed her eyes. She sucked in a shaky breath as her body buzzed with awareness. She slowly faced him. Her heart clenched the second she saw him. A crisp white button-up molded to his body and navy slacks accentuated his strong legs. “You did this?”

  He took a few steps toward her. “Angelo helped. Don’t worry. No one is stopping your exhibit.”

  “Why? Why did you do this?” She kept her voice strong. Hid the tumult of emotions bouncing inside of her. Excitement, hope, love.

&
nbsp; He stopped a few steps away. Dark eyes met hers with such focus she wanted to run to him. Wrap her arms around him. Tell him how much she’d hurt in the time they’d been apart.

  “Because I needed to show you how I felt. Telling you wasn’t enough. I always thought I was bad at relationships. I thought it was the only thing my dad left me. My marriage didn’t work, I couldn’t love Hanna, I figured I was broken. Then the diagnosis came, and I thought my body, the thing I made my living with, was abandoning me, too. I didn’t think I was worth loving.”

  “That’s not true.” Her anger at him for thinking that crept into her voice.

  He nodded. “I know that. I accept that. I’ve been...guarding myself. I didn’t realize that until recently. The divorce, hurting Hanna, those things hurt me, too. I was afraid of failing, hurting again.”

  Hope was like sunshine in her heart. “And now?”

  He stepped closer. “If I don’t try, then I’ve already failed. I love you, Jasmine. I didn’t want to admit it. Didn’t want to believe it because I haven’t felt this way before. I don’t know what the future holds, or how things will progress with me, but I know I want you by my side as I take this next step in my life. If you’ll have me.”

  “Kevin, that day you accused me of not trusting you...”

  “I was frustrated.”

  She shook her head. “No, you were right. People I love have left me. My mother died, Kathy moved on.” She took a deep breath. “And, yes, Julio tore my heart in half. I took that out on you. I don’t want you to ever think that I’m not supportive of you and your family. I was looking for trouble where there wasn’t any. I do trust you. I love you, and I’m sorry.”

  Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her close into his embrace. Jasmine lifted up on her toes and kissed him, her heart near to bursting with excitement and joy.

  He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I love you. I will do everything I can to make you happy.”

  She glanced around at the pictures. Looked back into his dark eyes and knew that she wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. “You’re already off to a good start.”

  Chapter 23

  A strong arm slid around Jasmine’s midsection before her back was pressed against Kevin’s solid chest. She smiled and leaned into him. He lowered his head and kissed her cheek.

  “I told you everything was going to be okay,” he whispered in her ear.

  Jasmine let out a deep satisfying breath. The turnout for her showing was bigger than she’d expected. Not only had the expected art critics and regulars of the gallery come out to see the new exhibit, but her publisher had put out the word to several of her colleagues, some of the celebrities she’d photographed in her career and, the biggest surprise, a few history professors from colleges in the city. The only laughter in the building came from people having a good time. She’d gotten nothing but positive feedback and encouragement.

  “I still can’t believe they get what I was trying to portray,” she said.

  Kevin rested his chin on the top of her head. “I got what you were trying to portray the second you explained your project to me. You did what you set out to do. You’ve shone a light on a segment of history. Enjoy the moment.”

  “I guess we’ve both surprised ourselves.”

  Kevin’s first segment on Sports Reporter had aired the week before. He’d done exactly what the producers had hoped he would: brought energy and a new perspective to the long-standing show. The ratings had jumped, and fans had engaged with Kevin and the other hosts on social media throughout the show.

  “There is a life for me after basketball,” Kevin said. “And apparently there is a life for you outside of fashion photography.”

  She turned in his arms and grinned up at him. He’d taken her breath away in the bold and stylish maroon fitted suit he’d worn to the showing.

  They’d been late because she’d immediately begun undressing him right after he’d gotten the suit on. Not that he’d seemed to mind. The zipper of her wine-colored maxi dress had been broken in Kevin’s haste to get her undressed. Thank goodness for safety pins, but she’d almost regretted wearing the backless dress. The open back and side cutouts left way too much skin for Kevin to caress and tease when they stood next to each other. Completely distracting her from important conversations.

  “I don’t think I’ll completely give up fashion photography,” she said. “I still love the work. I never found it unfulfilling, but now I know that if I want to try a new project, I can step out into the unknown.”

  “I’ll always be there to support you.”

  She cocked a brow. “Are you sure? I can be pretty taxing when I’m trying new stuff.”

  She knew she’d driven everyone crazy in the final weeks leading up to the showing. So much so that Jada had refused to come over unless Kevin was there to play referee.

  He’d moved to New York and traveled to Atlanta for the tapings of the show. She couldn’t believe he’d taken the step. They were moving in together next week.

  She didn’t expect a marriage proposal anytime soon. Kevin had already been married and she knew he was leery of taking such a big step again. But outside of that, he’d done everything to make their relationship work.

  “I might be able to deal with you,” he said with a teasing lift of his lips. “In fact, I was thinking—”

  “Jasmine, I need you for just a second. I’ve got three buyers interested in one of your prints and I want to talk to you about the terms of the sale.”

  Jasmine grinned at Angelo. “Three buyers? Of course, I’ll be right there.” She looked at Kevin. “I’ll be back.”

  There was a flash of disappointment before he nodded and smiled. “Sure.”

  Jasmine hesitated for a second. He had been about to say something when Angelo interrupted. “Did you have to tell me something?”

  “It’ll wait until after you go get that money.”

  Jasmine laughed. “True.” She lifted her chin and kissed him quickly, then followed Angelo. On the way, she smiled at her dad and Kathy. They’d both been surprisingly civil during the event. Jasmine still hadn’t asked her dad about his reasons for keeping Kathy away. That was the past and she was going to tentatively embrace the future with Kathy back in her life.

  She waved at Kevin’s mom and grandmother talking with Jada. The two most important women in Kevin’s life had embraced her with open arms. She hadn’t set out to win their hearts, but she couldn’t deny that it felt good knowing she had their approval.

  She was also finding her fit in Kevin’s blended family. His kids liked her, and she was forming a tentative friendship with Hanna and Sabrina.

  You’re going to be around for good, Sabrina had said when Jasmine and Kevin were in Atlanta a month ago. I’m glad he’s finally allowed himself to be happy.

  Jasmine worked on the terms of sale with Angelo and was then swept into various conversations for the rest of the night. Before she knew it, the night was over and she’d sold every original photograph. Her editor was elated and wanted to get with Jasmine first thing in the morning to discuss publicity for the book. Jasmine was floating on a wave of happiness and gratitude that her project was turning out so well.

  She and Kevin weren’t alone again until they were in the car on the way back to her apartment. He’d moved in with her while they searched for a larger space to live in together.

  Jasmine strolled into the apartment and kicked off her heels. “That has to be the best feeling on the planet.”

  “What?” Kevin asked, closing the apartment door behind her.

  “Taking off heels after several hours of standing.”

  Kevin chuckled. He swept her off her feet and into his arms. Jasmine laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sure that feels great, but best feeling on the planet?”

  “Well...maybe not the best
.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  She expected him to take her into the bedroom. Instead he walked over and set her on the bar separating the living and dining spaces. “What are you doing?”

  “I want to talk to you about something.” There was still a spark in his eye, but his tone was serious.

  “Is something wrong?”

  He shook his head. “No, I’ve been thinking about getting a new tattoo and I want to talk to you about it.”

  Jasmine raised her brows. “Seriously? Another one? I mean, I love your art, but where would you even put it?”

  He held up his left hand and wiggled the ring finger. “Here. I’ll buy a real ring, too, but if you marry me, I know it’s forever. It’ll be the last tattoo I get.”

  If she hadn’t been sitting, she would have fallen. Her stomach flipped, and her heart raced as a euphoria that topped everything else that had happened that night filled her. “Marry you? You want to get married?”

  He took her hands in his. “I love you. Is it so hard to imagine I’d want to spend the rest of my life with you?”

  “I didn’t think you’d ever want to get married again.”

  “That’s when I thought I wasn’t good at relationships. What I know now is that what I feel for you, and what I hope to always have with you, is bigger than any fear I may have. I don’t care what happens tomorrow with my health, your health, our careers or anything else as long as I know you’ll be there beside me.” He took a deep breath and brought their joined hands to his chest. “Jasmine, will you marry me?”