I was an absolute basket case.
I hadn’t gone to work, I’d slept intermittently, and I’d tried to call Shane a hundred times.
I didn’t know where he was and he wouldn’t answer me.
I totally messed everything up.
I was so in my head with worry, about ready to say, hell with it, and call everyone I knew in Cherry Springs to see if they knew where Shane was. What did it matter if everyone learned the truth, as long as I found him?
My front door opened and I went running into the living room, heart pounding as I prayed I’d turn the corner and see Shane.
Instead, it was Dillon.
“What the hell happened to you?” he asked, taking in my unbrushed hair, ratty clothes, and wild eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, not wanting to deal with him right then. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“Shane asked me to come by for Daisy and Loki since you guys have that appointment in the city,” he replied, eyes alert on me. “You don’t look ready.”
“The immigration appointment!” I cried, spinning around and running to my bedroom.
“Once Laurel heard I was watching them, she begged me to bring them to the house. You know I’m going to end up having to buy a fucking goat now, thanks to your crazy husband,” Dillon said as he followed behind me. “Seriously, Jazz, what’s up?”
“Shane left the other day,” I replied, pulling clean clothes out of my drawers and hurrying into my bathroom.
“What do you mean, he left?” Dillon asked from the other side of the door.
“We had a fight … some things were said and I hurt his feelings. But don’t worry, I’m going to make it right.”
I got changed, splashed water on my face, and pulled my hair back in a messy bun.
“Jasmine, I know why you guys got married.”
I pulled open the door and narrowed my eyes at my twin. “You do?”
“Uh, yeah, what do you take me for? I knew that night at Mom and Dad’s.”
“You did?” I repeated like an idiot.
I really thought we’d had everyone fooled. Well … except Rear.
“How long have I known you?” he asked sarcastically. “I could tell that night that you were lying, that you didn’t love him. But, at camp it seemed like that all changed. You were into him, and I thought maybe what had started out as a business transaction had turned into something real.”
“It did,” I admitted, my voice catching. “But I screwed it all up.”
“How?”
“By being me, Dillon. Hard-headed, commitment phobe, untrusting … you know how I am. I got so tired of everyone using me to get what they wanted, that I became completely walled up. I never let anyone get close enough to hurt me, and I vowed it wouldn’t be any different with Shane.”
“Yeah, but, Jazz, it’s obvious the guy loves you. He’s always had you in his sights, did you really think he wouldn’t fall hard, once you actually gave him an in? You’re more perceptive than that,” Dillon chided.
“Sure, I knew he wanted in my pants, but I thought he was a player. A ladies man. Always ready to charm someone into his bed.”
“Shane’s not like that,” he argued.
“Well, how was I supposed to know. He was always flirting and chatting up women, just like you, Ass, and Gabe did my whole life; how was I to know he wasn’t following through with it?”
“Maybe by realizing he never went home with anyone, never brought a woman to any of our barbecues or parties. Shane was always flying solo, and his eyes were always on you.”
“God, I’m such an idiot. How did everyone see this but me?”
“’Cause you’re cautious, and you look at guys with blinders on. Look, Jazz, that first night I found out what you’d done, I was pissed. I called Reardon and he said he’d talk some sense into you two. When you still showed up at camp, I figured he didn’t get through, but then I saw how you were together, and it clicked … You guys fit.”
“You think so?” I couldn’t help but ask. My brother’s opinion had always been the most important to me.
“I know so,” he said his hands on my shoulders. “You’re my sister, so obviously no guy is ever good enough to touch you, but … Shane’s the best man I could have ever hoped for you. He looks at you like you’re his dream come true, and it’s exactly what you deserve.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, leaning in to give him a hug.
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to go to the immigration appointment and talk some sense into Shane. We’ll attend the meeting, answer the questions, and I’m bringing him back home with me, where he belongs.”
“What if he doesn’t want to listen?” Dillon asked, his tone all business.
He was prepping me just like he did before we went into a big meeting.
“He has to listen, because I’ll make him and I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll tell him the truth and throw myself at his feet if I have to. There’s no way he’ll be able to deny me.”
Dillon walked me to the door. “What is your endgame, Jasmine?”
“I’m going to get my husband back,” I replied with a confident smile.
But first, I have to make a pit stop.