Jasmine hit snooze for about the eighth time and considered calling in sick. She wasn’t, but she’d stayed up half the night reading Zachary’s book. The first couple chapters were a little slow, but then when she hit the third one, it took off like an explosion, and she couldn’t put it down.
Finally, her eyes wouldn’t stay open another moment. Unfortunately, that was only four hours ago. She couldn’t let that get the best of her. She still needed to be responsible and teach her classes. Sure, she could let a sub take over for the day, but that could show up on her file, making her look bad for the dance studios she wanted to get into.
She’d just have to drink coffee. A lot of it. Her habit had been to pick something up at a stand on her way to the club, but she needed some just to get ready this morning. They had some instant coffee that would work in a pinch—and that was what this was.
When she got to the kitchen and warmed up the water, she turned around and jumped. She’d forgotten about her mom’s arrival the night before. Now she slept on the couch, and no surprise, empty bottles of alcohol were strewn about on the floor.
Jasmine hoped that Kate hadn’t seen the mess, and probably hadn’t since she usually slept in, having signed up for later classes that Jasmine. Groaning, Jasmine gathered her mom’s bottles and put them in the recycle. She would have to empty it on her way out before Kate could see them.
With any luck, her mom would sleep through the morning, and neither Kate nor she would have to deal with her mom. Then her mom could spend the afternoon working off her hangover, and possibly—but not likely—be pleasant when Kate and Jasmine got back home to the condo that night.
Jasmine didn’t even know why her mom was in Kittle Falls. She’d tried to find out the night before, but it had been useless. Whatever the reasons, her mom wasn’t ready to talk about them.
She couldn’t help but wonder if her parents were finally splitting up. Growing up, she had waited, expecting the ball to drop any day, but they continued to stick out despite all the screaming and threats. It was why Jasmine had spent more nights at friends’ houses than at her own home. No one seemed to notice or care, so it worked out well for everyone.
Or at least it seemed that way. Jasmine had thought once she got out of the house she was done with all the drama. She hadn’t seen her family since high school graduation, and she hadn’t missed them. She felt guilty about that. Who wouldn’t? They were her parents, and she wanted to have a good relationship with them, but they brought her down so much it wasn’t worth it.
The little bit of counseling she’d had confirmed that much. Her parents would continue to drag her down as long as she let them. Jasmine’s personal boundaries were the one thing she could give them that might help them to wake up and make the fixes they needed. And she had no intentions of holding her breath.
She just did her best to avoid alcohol, except to have a sip or two socially on occasion, so she wouldn’t risk ending up like them. If anyone knew how alcohol could ruin lives, it was her. Jasmine couldn’t even bring herself to think about her brother most days. Carter had followed in their parents footsteps, but he hadn’t been so lucky.
One night—technically, early one morning—Carter had left a party and ran into a pole. Everyone said his death had been instant, but Jasmine thought they just said that so it would hurt less. It didn’t.
The tea kettle hissed, letting her know the water was ready. She grabbed it off the stove so it wouldn’t wake anyone, and made some instant coffee. She’d made it too strong and it tasted awful, but it would have to do. As long as it helped her heavy eyelids, she had no choice.
She drank half her mug, watching her mom sleep on the couch. How could her brother’s accident not have been a wakeup call for parents? Instead of realizing how they’d messed up everything and sobering up, they’d only gotten worse—and she hadn’t thought that was possible.
Jasmine had been the only one with the resolve to stay away from the poison. Now she needed to figure out what was going on with her parents. She needed to either send her mom back home or to rehab. She wasn’t going to do anything to encourage her behavior, and based on the bottles she’d just picked up, her mom had no intentions of improving.
There was no time for that now, and her mom would likely sleep all day, anyway. She might not even wake up until Jasmine got back after work. Then she would insist they talk, or she would send her mom back home. She’d pay for a cab if needed.
She quickly got ready, drinking down the disgusting coffee as she went. Then she took the recycling down to the main canister downstairs. Though Kate would likely smell alcohol on her mom, she at least wouldn’t see the evidence.
Back at the condo, she finished her coffee, grabbed her purse, and left. She went to the first coffee stand on her way and ordered a double shot latte. It tasted much better than the disaster she’d made earlier.
The coffee had Jasmine buzzing with energy despite still feeling tired. Her eyelids were heavy, and she hadn’t been able to hide the dark circles under her eyes with makeup.
When she arrived in her classroom, some kids were already waiting. She got them busy with warm-ups while she looked over her lesson plan for the day.
The morning breezed by as she sipped her latte. It kept her going, but she knew she’d need more by lunchtime. Her mind was already going at double speed, yet she couldn’t stop yawning. It was an annoying combination. But at least she was able to think about what to do about her mom while she instructed the girls.
Lunch came around and Jasmine realized she’d forgotten to pack anything to eat. She went over to the window and grabbed her purse. She saw Zachary sitting in what was becoming “his” spot on the bench.
Her heart raced. She needed food to get through the rest of the day, but she wanted to see him more. She looked over the classroom and then left, hurrying to meet him.
As she approached, he set his tablet down and smiled. Oh, that smile. She couldn’t get enough of it, and even better, it made her forget everything else.
She sat next to him, so close they were almost touching.
“I love your book,” she said. “In fact, I’m running on fumes because I read it way too late last night.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“I’m dying to know what happens to Damion. I would have stayed up to finish it if I could have skipped work.”
Zachary’s beautiful smile widened. “I’d tell you, but it would ruin the surprise.”
“No spoilers.” She laughed.
“How far did you get?” he asked.
“Damion just discovered the clue in the jewelry store.”
“The one in Vienna?” Zachary asked.
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. “Vienna? When does he—?”
“I’ve said too much.” He covered his mouth, his eyes shining.
“Oh,” Jasmine complained. “Don’t do this to me. How does he get there? I mean, with the broken leg and the—”
“You said no spoilers.”
“I did. You’re going to kill me.” She shook her head. Her stomach rumbled—luckily not loud enough for him to hear. “Are you up for lunch? I forgot to pack mine. That’s what I get for staying up too late.”
“Sure, and it’s my treat since it’s apparently my fault.” He grinned again. Jasmine loved the way his entire face lit up with his smile. “Sound good?”
Heat crept into her cheeks as she realized she’d been staring like a fool. “I’d have a hard time saying no to that, but are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.” Zachary stood and held out his hand. She took it and stood, sliding her fingers in between his. She liked the way his hand felt like it was made for hers. He squeezed her hand, smiling wider.
Jasmine’s heart raced. “Where to?” she asked.
“I know of a little place only the locals know about. They have some delicious pasta dishes and desserts to die for.”
She stared into his eyes. She didn’t care where they ate as long she was with him, and she could keep him smiling. “That sounds perfect.”
“And they tend to not be as busy, too, which is always a plus during the lunch rush.”
They walked down a road Jasmine had never noticed before, taking turns through parts of town she didn’t know existed. “Is this Kittle Falls’ hidden secret?”
“We have a whole part of town that’s ignored by the tourists, but since you’ve been here all summer, it doesn’t really make you a visitor, does it?” He smiled, his eyes shining.
How did he expect her to answer when he looked at her like that?
Jasmine shook her head, sure he thought her a fool. She just couldn’t find any words. Her skin felt afire, holding his hand and having him look at her that way. And even more amazing, he didn’t seem put off by her looking like a wreck from so little sleep.
Zachary led her into a little diner that looked like it belonged in a television show from the fifties or sixties. It even had red and white checked tablecloths and a jukebox playing music from that era.
“This place is adorable,” she said.
“I’ve always liked it.” He led her to a table in a corner and held out a chair for her.
He was a gentleman, too? She sat, and he scooted her in before sitting next to her.
A waitress, looking like she was from the same time period as the diner, came over to them. “So good to see you again, Zachary. How can I help you, hon?” She pulled a pencil from behind her ear and a pad of paper from her apron.
“You, too. What’s the daily special, Sheila?” Zachary asked.
“Our six-cheese ziti. But for you, anything. Are you back in town for good, or just visiting?” asked Sheila.
“I’m here for a while.”
“Your parents must be thrilled. You boys are returning one by one. Who’s this?” Sheila turned to Jasmine.
“This is Jasmine, and she’s new to this side of town.”
“You won’t want to go back to the touristy side after you’ve been here.” She winked at Jasmine. “Does the ziti sound good to you?”
“Sure.” Jasmine shrugged.
“Two zitis, Sheila,” Zachary said. “And can I get a root beer?”
Sheila scribbled on her pad of paper. “Sure, dear. And you?” She looked at Jasmine.
“Can I get a coffee? Black.”
“Coming right up.” She turned around and walked away.
“Sounds like you come in pretty often,” Jasmine said.
“I used to come in a lot after school for snacks. This place hasn’t changed a bit. My dad says it’s the same since he was a boy, too.”
“It’s incredible that your family has been here that long.”
Zachary shared stories about growing up while they waited for the food. When it arrived, Jasmine went for the coffee first. Even though she was sitting with the most handsome guy in town, she had a hard time fighting her heavy eyelids.