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JAZMINE MET WITH JASON Taylor at the premiere of his latest movie, The Wind.
Critics waited with impatience for the film, fans of Jason Taylor’s serious movies loved its trailers.
But as she sat next to Jason at the screening that evening, all Jazmine could think about was Dev sitting on her left.
They had barely spoken during the remainder of the filming of the three music videos and, now that she was so close to him, she hoped to reason with him.
Glancing at him occasionally, she could tell the movie absorbed all his attention.
She tapped on their shared armrest. Immobile, he stared straight ahead.
Shifting positions, she brushed her shoulder against his.
Nothing.
Jazmine sighed and got up, pushing through the entire row with a profusion of apologies.
She entered the hallway and ordered a soda at the fancy on-site lounge. Alone and lonely, she sat on a stool, sipping her Coke.
Where had her powers of seduction gone? During her high school years, she’d broken more hearts than she could count. Until one boy had destroyed hers.
Jonathan.
She had not thought of him in a long time. The pain had subsided. She now accepted that he was not the boy for her.
Dev was all she could think about. She’d never imagined she could fall for someone with the same intensity she’d felt for Jonathan. Yet here she was again, pining after someone whom she admired so much, it could easily turn into an obsession.
From now on, she’d stay away from artists.
Perhaps she should date an accountant.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Jazmine turned around and found Jason behind her. He sat beside her and ordered a ginger ale.
“Is my movie that boring?”
“It’s not really my thing,” Jazmine admitted. “But thank you for inviting me. I’m glad I came.”
“So am I. It’s been a while since we attended a premiere together. Remember the last one we went to?”
“I do! It was an alien movie. It was during your supernatural phase. Aliens and vampires. Gosh, vampires are out of style. It’s strange how a trend just dies like that.”
“Good thing I expanded my artistic views. I play in things I’m proud of now. That’s why I wanted you to come. Can’t say I’m unhappy you contacted me a couple of months back.”
Jason’s eyes glowed and Jazmine stirred her ice cubes, debating whether she should tell him what was on her mind.
“Jason, I have to ask. You’re not still in love with me, are you? Not after all this time.”
By adding a succession of negatives in her sentences, she hoped he would answer with a denial.
Instead, he queried, “You’re asking because of Dev, aren’t you?”
“D-Dev? Why would you ... Did he say something about me?”
“He was pretty pissed at me for not telling him who you were to me. I got the distinct impression he might have feelings for you.”
“I thought he did, but he’ll never act on them if he thinks you’re still in love with me. Are you?”
He took her hands.
“Jazmine Baldwin, I’ll always have these stubborn remnants of feelings I wish I could get rid of.” Jazmine lowered her head, embarrassed. His hands were big, but soft, and they caressed hers with warmth.
“But,” he continued, “I’m not in love with you. And though I wouldn’t say no to dating you again if ever you were willing, I’d never stand in the way of your happiness. Dev is a stand-up guy. Just don’t hurt him the way you hurt me.”
“It was that bad, huh? I’m sorry. I should’ve told you I wasn’t looking for anything serious back then.”
“And you should’ve broken up with me face-to-face. Not through a text message.”
“I’m amazed that you like me still regardless.”
“Dev and my other friends helped me get over the harsh feelings. There might have been a game or two of darts with pictures of you as the target. Some with his ex-girlfriend. We were both going through withdrawal.”
“Good to hear you kept your sanity.”
He squeezed her hands. Tilting her head with gratitude, she smiled, relieved of a weight that had been plaguing her.
Until she saw Dev walking toward them.
Retrieving her hands from Jason’s grasp, she moved away from him.
“Don’t mind me,” Dev said, turning away.
“No, wait,” Jason said. “Stay. We were just talking about you.”
“I don’t know what she said, but I swear, I’d never jeopardize our friendship.”
“What do you think I said exactly?” Jazmine asked.
“I guess that there might have been a moment when I could’ve imagined going out with her. But as soon as I found out who she was, I stepped aside.”
“You’re a good friend,” Jason said. “But you’re dumb.”
“Excuse me?”
“Why didn’t you just tell me straight away that you liked her? I could’ve told you that I won’t stand in your way.”
“You sure? Even after all those things you said about her being a heart-breaker, a manipulator and that she cut your heart into millions of little pieces and blew them in the wind like a dandelion ...”
“Hey!” Jason shrieked. “Artists,” he said sheepishly. “We’re overly sensitive. And apparently can’t keep our mouths shut.”
He took an amused Jazmine by the hand and drew her closer to Dev.
“You should talk. I’m going back to my premiere. It’s almost over. You two don’t know what you’re missing.”
But they were no longer listening to him. They did not see the long, wistful glance Jason gave Jazmine before reentering the room.
Dev arrested all of Jazmine’s senses.
“I guess we should talk about us,” Jazmine said tentatively.
“Is there anything left to talk about?”
“You’re sure you want to be with a heartbreaker? A manipulator? A—”
Dev’s lips found hers and interrupted any sentence and any logic that might have rendered this pairing objectionable.
There was no reason why they should not be together. No obstacle to overcome.
And when the crowd screening the movie erupted into applause at the film’s end, it appeared the gods of Hollywood had blessed the newly formed couple.