Jasmine checked the quiche on the stove top, making sure it was set. A couple of the guests sat at the table with Zoey while she kept them entertained with her questions.
“Do you mind if I make the coffee this morning?” Atlas’s deep voice sent a shudder through her.
Her heart skipped, and her belly leaped. Why did he have to affect her this way? She turned around and smiled. “Go for it. The grounds are in the cupboard right above the machine.”
Jasmine focused her attention back on the quiche, slicing it into servings. She plated some for Zoey before she brought the casserole dish over to the center of the table.
“It’s still hot, so be careful.” She smiled at the guests and then returned to grab her daughter’s breakfast. “Here you go, sweetheart. Eat up. It’s almost time to leave.”
“Do I like this, Mommy?” Zoey asked, staring at the bane of her existence—mixed food.
“You love eggs and sausage.” Jasmine handed her daughter a fork. It seemed she was getting pickier by the day.
“Otay,” Zoey said, sounding unconvinced as she started to dig in.
Annie and Steve joined them, and Atlas took a seat at the other end of the table with a fresh cup of coffee. Jasmine kept an eye on her daughter as she got started on the dishes. Her stomach grumbled. She’d see what was left and grab a couple of bites when everyone was done.
“This kind of food will make you grow big and strong,” Steve said.
“It will?” Zoey asked.
“Oh yes,” Annie agreed, and lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “Except for mushrooms. Never eat mushrooms . . . unless they’re medicinal.”
“Annie,” Steve said, but there was no malice in his voice.
“Looks like a full house in here.” Mikel’s voice interrupted the chatter at the table.
Jasmine spun around. Her brother held Phoenix in his arms as her niece, Lyra, ran over to Zoey and gave her a hug.
“You’re early.”
Mikel’s gaze flicked to Atlas before he turned to face her. “Yeah, we got a head start for once. Figured we’d hang out here for a few minutes.”
Right. She could see straight through him. “Bently called, I imagine.”
Phoenix squirmed in his daddy’s arms, and Mikel gently set him on his feet. “Said Link had to come by.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. Was nothing in her life private? Did her big brothers think she was incapable of figuring out her own problems? She’d cost them enough in her lifetime. It was her responsibility to take care of Zoey and herself.
“Ready, baby?” Jasmine asked, focusing her attention on Zoey’s backpack, making sure her snack and lunch were inside before zipping it up.
“Yes!” Zoey ran over and held out her arms. Jasmine gave her face a quick wipe and slipped the backpack straps over her shoulders. Then she kissed Zoey’s forehead and ushered her out towards the front door before Mikel could say anything else in Atlas’s presence.
Her brother followed her as the kids rushed outside.
“Wait on the grass,” Jasmine reminded them. She walked out onto the porch, holding the screen door open for Mikel. The kids found the chalk in the basket and began coloring on the sidewalk.
“Is he Zoey’s father? He’s got her eyes,” Mikel whisper-yelled.
“I’ll tell you what I told Bently—I will handle this. This is my life. My choice.” My consequences.
“I know it is. Just remember we’ve got your back no matter what. I’m here for you, Jaz,” Mikel said, slipping his arm over her shoulders.
She nodded. “I know. But you guys have handled enough of my problems.”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
She stared at him, searching his eyes for confirmation of the question she’d always been too afraid to ask.
“You’re my little sister. I know I made a lot of mistakes and wasn’t always here when you needed me most. But I’m back for good. Whether that’s to loan you money for a car, pick Z up for school, or beat some sense into your baby daddy.” He chuckled.
Jasmine laughed. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
He shrugged and then released her. “Clean up, guys. Time to go.”
The kids piled the bits of chalk back inside the bucket. Mikel walked over to Zoey and wiped the corner of her mouth where some bits of egg had been.
How did I miss that? Pinpricks of guilt settled in her chest.
She bent and opened her arms. “Can I have a hug goodbye?”
Phoenix ran into her arms first. She laughed and caught him. “Oof! You’re getting so big, Phe.”
“I’m strong wike Daddy!” He raised his little arms showing off non-existent muscles.
“You sure are.”
Mikel picked him up, swinging him upside down as he giggled. “Come here, you little monster.”
Lyra raised her hand. “I don’t feel like giving hugs today. Just a high five.”
“That works for me. Thanks for letting me know.” Jasmine smiled and slapped her hand against Lyra’s. The little girl had grown so much. Hard to believe she was already eight years old.
“Mommy, I want a high five too,” Zoey said, raising her hand. Of course. She was always chasing her cousin’s shadow.
A pang of loss tightened in her chest. “Sure, baby. It’s your body.” Jasmine lifted her hand and returned the gesture. “Can I have a hug and kiss too?”
Zoey tugged on her long hair. “Otay!” She wrapped her tiny arms around Jasmine’s neck and squeezed hard.
“Wow! That’s quite a hug. I think that will hold me until you get home.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead.
“Bye, Mommy.”
“Have fun at preschool.” Jasmine waved as Mikel corralled the kids into his SUV.
“Thanks, Mik.”
“Anytime.” He winked before shutting the kids’ door. “Oh—Remy said to call her.”
She waited until they’d driven out of sight before she pulled her phone from her pocket. Remy’s name flashed in her message inbox.
Remy: Something you want to tell me?
Damn. She’d probably hurt her best friend by not confiding in her, but why did they all feel the need to be up in her business? They acted as if she couldn’t deal with anything on her own. Maybe because they know I’m a failure.
She walked back into the kitchen, pocketing her phone. Atlas stood by the screen door overlooking the back deck. His gaze turned intently to her as she cleared the table. Almost all the quiche had been eaten. She offered him a polite smile.
“Do you have a special container you want to put this in or do you just wrap it with plastic?” Atlas asked, motioning to the casserole dish.
“Atlas, you don’t need to tidy this. Go enjoy your day.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“I’m capable of cleaning up my own mess! You’re a guest. Go do whatever it is you came here to do,” she snapped, her anger boiling over. Her brothers’ hovering, her friends’ intrusiveness, and now him. It was too much.
Atlas lifted his hands away from the dish and backed up.
God, she’d acted like a bitch. What was she doing taking this out on him?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” She wiped her forehead, trying to fight the first signs of the migraine that was coming on.
“It’s alright . . . Was that another brother?” Atlas asked.
She sighed. “Yeah.”
Was it her, or did Atlas seem to relax after she answered?
“How many do you have?” he asked.
“Just the two. Well, their best friend, Andre, counts himself as an honorary big brother too. So, I guess that makes three.”
Atlas nodded.
“What about you?” she asked.
“One brother.”
“Does he think you’re incapable of making decisions like my brothers seem to think of me?” She laughed.
He gave a curt nod as his gaze clouded over. Had she said something wrong?
“I’ll see you later.” He turned and left the room.
Great. I had to go and open my mouth and ruin this progress. Now he probably thinks I’m a raging bitch.
Later that afternoon, Jasmine went through the stack of paperwork that had been calling her name while Zoey twirled to the music blaring from Jasmine’s phone in the common room. It was easy enough to lean over and peek around the corner to check on Zoey every few minutes.
While the few night classes she’d taken in accounting had helped give her a handle on things, they hadn’t made balancing the books any more fun.
“Mr. Atlas, do you want to see my performance?” Zoey’s little hopeful voice asked.
Jasmine held her breath, leaning forward to catch a glimpse of their exchange.
“I can’t right now. I have some errands to run. But I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
Zoey’s bottom lip stuck out as she looked down and nodded. “Otay.”
Atlas walked past Jasmine, towards the front door, not bothering to glance her way. Jasmine took a sip of her water and checked the clock on the computer. She could finish this up after Zoey went to bed. She’d just add it to her never-ending to-do list. “Hey, Z?”
Zoey walked towards her, disappointment evident on her face. “What?”
“Wanna build a sandman?”
Zoey’s mouth split into a smile. “Silly Mommy. It’s a snowman.”
Jasmine widened her eyes. “What do you mean? There’s no snow outside, so we have to improvise. Let’s go build a sandcastle before I make us dinner.”
“Yay!” Zoey agreed, running towards the kitchen.
If she did one thing right, it would be to bring a smile to her daughter’s face every time something in this world brought her down. But there would come a day when she wouldn’t be there. When sandcastles wouldn’t be the solution. When the real pain of Jasmine’s past would stain her daughter’s world. Would Zoey hate her for what she’d done to survive? How could she expect Zoey to forgive her for something she wasn’t ready to forgive herself?
After building a sandman, with shells for eyes and driftwood arms, they walked down the beach collecting sand dollars and empty snail shells for Zoey’s crafts. The waves crashed against the rocks as they searched the tide pools for new discoveries. A light, warm breeze tickled her face. Her loose T-shirt flapped against her skin. These moments were her favorite. If she could bottle them up and save them for the harder days, this was one she would keep forever.
Jasmine carried Zoey for the last part of the walk back to the inn. She set her at the table with her crayons and paper while she heated up some leftover pasta for them to share. Zoey stuffed her mouth full of cheese ravioli.
“You look like a chipmunk. Slow down.” Jasmine laughed.
Zoey giggled. “Is so good.”
“Hey, is it too late for that performance?” Atlas asked, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes flicked from Zoey to Jasmine.
Wow. It hadn’t just been a brush-off earlier. He’d actually intended on following through. She bit her lip.
“Yes! I’m full, Mommy. Can I go show Mr. Atlas my dance now?” Zoey asked excitedly.
Jasmine nodded. “Sure thing.”
“Can you put my song on?” Zoey asked Atlas.
He looked at Jasmine, helplessly.
“I got it, Z. You go set up.” Jasmine pulled out her phone and stood.
Zoey ran from the room.
Atlas’s attention was solely on her as Jasmine approached him. The air thickened with tension the closer she got. “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier.”
His brows drew together. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
If only that were true. “Thank you for entertaining her like this.”
“She’s quite the kid.” The corner of his mouth turned up.
Her heart squeezed. He had no idea he was talking about his own daughter.
“Ready!” Zoey yelled.
“I guess we’ve been summoned,” he said, chuckling. “After you.”
She dipped her head and walked past him, his scent clinging to the air around him like the earth before a rainstorm. Jasmine entered the common room and took a seat on the grey couch.
Zoey pointed to the spot next to her. “Right here, Mr. Atlas.”
He sat, the couch sinking with his weight. His proximity sparked to light the desire she’d thought she’d had under control. Jasmine’s heart raced as she stiffened, doing all within her power not to lean towards him.
“Ready for the music,” Zoey said, pulling a red, feathery boa around her neck and striking a pose that made her look like a starfish.
Jasmine scrolled through her music and picked the song “Into the Unknown” from the Frozen 2 soundtrack. She smiled as the little girl spun and twirled, belting out most of the lyrics at the top of her lungs. Thankfully, her other two guests were out to dinner. She snuck a few peeks at Atlas. His eyes glimmered with amusement as he watched their daughter show off. Atlas was a good guy. He deserves to know.
“Thank you!” Zoey said, taking a bow as the song ended. It switched to something slower: “Beautiful Stranger” by Halsey.
“Your turn, Mommy.” Zoey tugged Jasmine’s hand.
Reluctantly, she got to her feet. “I think we’ve taken up enough of Mr. Atlas’s time tonight.”
“But, Mommy, you guys have to dance now. It’s my turn to be the audience,” Zoey pleaded.
Heat crept over her skin. Her eyes darted to Atlas’s.
He shrugged. “I guess it’s only fair.” He stood and held out his hand to her. He seemed so much bigger this close. Her knees went weak. She looked down at her daughter. Zoey had climbed onto the couch, eagerly waiting for their dance, her big eyes ever watchful.
Jasmine inhaled a shaky breath and tipped her head to meet Atlas’s gaze. Their eyes locked as his hands gently wrapped around her waist. She slipped her hands over his broad shoulders. The zing of electricity vibrated up her arms, sending the rest of her body into a humming frenzy of lust whipped in desire. She let loose a tiny gasp. Molten heat spread from her womb to her limbs. He moved, sure and powerful, spinning her into a trance slowly around the small room. His grey eyes dilated and focused solely on her. His fresh scent was intoxicating, making her heady with need. Large palms burned her skin with his touch, drowning her senses with the burning need she’d ignored for too long.
His eyes widened as if he was as surprised as her by the overpowering combustion of their bodies together.
Something about the way he held her was different. This moment felt more intimate than anything she’d ever experienced. Like those grey spheres could see right through to her soul. How many times had she been in a man’s arms, but never truly held?
Could she do this?
Can I trust him with Zoey and my heart?
Whoa. Where did that come from? Since when was her heart on the table?
His eyes flicked to her mouth.
Halsey’s lyrics about it being finally safe to fall had never felt more true. It seemed like a sign.
Could she dare to hope? She licked her lips. His jaw tightened, and his hands gripped her hips closer. Atlas’s head tipped down. He was near enough for her to taste his exhale.
As much as she wanted his kiss, this wasn’t the place. Not in front of Zoey. She wouldn’t be like her own mother. Her daughter would come first. Besides, what was she expecting? A two-week fling with her daughter’s father?
If he was who she thought he was, he’d understand. It took all her self-control, but she backed out of his arms.
The loss smacked into her. She sucked in a staggered breath.
She had to be more careful. If her feelings for Atlas were this intense already, there was no telling the damage he could do if she truly let him in.