The ocean waves crashed against the rocky shore. Jasmine inhaled the salty sea breeze, closing her eyes to the warm summer sunshine. It was a great day for a wedding.
Zoey’s giggles bubbled up, carried by the wind. Jasmine opened her eyes, searching the sand ahead. Her daughter ran around in bare feet, her white lace tutu dress billowing in the wind as she darted away from Mikel. Bently carried Phoenix on his shoulders, dodging and weaving through the girls as he laughed hard.
Jasmine pulled out her phone and snapped a picture. Her heart warmed at the sight. She might not be able to give Zoey her dad, but her little girl was more than lucky to have two uncles and their best friend who loved her like their own. Jasmine didn’t look like them, but they were all unique, and that was what made them each so special.
She turned back towards the inn, taking in the white paint her family had all pitched in and helped with. The windows she’d scraped and washed herself. All her hard work had paid off. She didn’t need anyone else to realize her dreams and create the life she wanted for Zoey.
Her heart was still broken, her mind still scarred. But she could now look in the mirror and see someone worthy of her love. It continued to be a daily battle, the dark cloud of her depression hovering on the horizon. But she’d been vigilant. She’d never stop healing. For Zoey and herself. Because Jasmine finally believed she was worth it.
“Miss Evans?” Rae, one of the kids from Aaron’s facility she’d hired recently, asked.
“Yes?”
“The caterer is here, and the delivery of chairs for the wedding. And there is someone at the front desk asking for you,” Rae said, ticking off her fingers one by one.
Jasmine’s heart fluttered. When will this stop? He wasn’t coming back. Why would he? His life was there, and hers was here, no matter how beautiful his promises.
“Thanks.” She walked to the inn. “Did you get the suite all set for the happy couple?”
“All done except for the bouquet of flowers. Just waiting on the delivery from the florist.”
“Awesome,” Jasmine said, opening the back door for her employee. The young woman reminded Jasmine a lot of herself. She was a hard worker, but something weighed heavily on her shoulders. It was part of the reason she’d hired her. One kindred spirit recognizing the other.
Rae settled in at the front desk. “They’re in the living room.”
Jasmine turned the corner and came face to face with a man she hadn’t seen in too long. “Cory!”
The man’s eyes lit up, turning from his blushing bride-to-be. “Jaz. Been too long. The inn is gorgeous.” He welcomed her into a hug.
She broke away only to end up in another set of arms. “Brittany, what are you doing here? And Cory, aren’t you supposed to avoid seeing the bride on the wedding day?” Jasmine asked.
Brittany laughed. “You know we don’t believe in those old superstitions.”
“Well, I don’t know; we’ve had a rough go of things. Maybe we are tempting fate.” Cory chuckled.
Brittany turned to face the man she was going to marry in less than seven hours. Her love for him was written in her expression. “Whatever happens, I’ll stay by your side through it all.”
He leaned down and kissed her nose. The moment was too precious. Longing rose within Jasmine. I want a man to look at me like that someday too.
“Okay, you two lovebirds. Save something for the wedding night. I’ll make sure to keep the sound machine on extra loud tonight.” Jasmine laughed.
Cory waggled his eyebrows up and down as Brittany’s fair cheeks blushed.
“Are Aunt Tilda and Uncle Matt here yet?” Cory asked.
“No, but your favorite cousin is,” Remy said, walking into the room with a big smile on her face.
They greeted each other with more hugs.
“Where are the kids?” Brittany asked, looking between Remy and Jasmine.
“Outside with the guys. Andre and Mia should be here soon,” Jasmine answered.
“Oh, and the cake is in the van. I need to get the guys to help me bring it in before it melts,” Remy said, darting towards the kitchen.
“Your Lighthouse suite is all set, and, Cory, you can use the Anchor suite for you and the guys to get ready. Rae has your keys.” Jasmine motioned towards the front desk—her heart sputtered. Two grey eyes stared back at her. Atlas.
Cory and Brittany walked past her towards the kitchen, oblivious to the whirlwind of panic, hope, and heartache that spun her up inside. Her knees trembled, knocking together. The man’s presence shook her like an earthquake.
He stepped forward until he was only inches from her. His clean, soapy smell triggered sensory memories. The way he’d felt when he’d rocked inside her. The taste of his kiss. The warmth of his body curled around hers as he’d held her.
She blinked, unsure and apprehensive.
“I missed you,” he said, his voice unsteady.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
His eyes crinkled at the edges. “I’m here for you.” He pulled out a bouquet of yellow sunflowers from behind his back and handed it to her.
She accepted it with a trembling hand. Her gaze took in the jeans and black shirt that fit him so well. “Atlas—”
“I did a lot of thinking. I know I haven’t given you a reason to trust me. I know I hurt you . . . deeply.” He ran a hand over the back of his head, a surprisingly self-conscious gesture. “But I was hoping you’d be willing to have dinner with me and give us a chance to talk.”
Her heart tugged at his words. She wanted to say yes, but this man had indeed caused her pain. He’d said he would be there for her and then run away at the first sign of trouble instead of giving her the benefit of the doubt. He’d lashed out at her. She had a lot of baggage, and she needed a man who could handle all of her, not just the pretty parts. Someone who’d be straight with her—honest about all aspects of his past, too.
“Is your fiancée joining us for this dinner?”
He winced. “I was never engaged. I never intended to marry her. I told you that my parents had expectations for every part of our lives. But I wouldn’t have gone through with it even if I’d never met you.”
She believed him. But all her emotions muddled together. How could she trust this man again? It wasn’t just her heart she would be risking, but Zoey’s.
“Just dinner. I’m not the type of man to beg, but if you need me to get on my knees and plead, I will. I’ll do anything for you, and that’s what I’m here to show you.” His eyes flashed with determination.
“My cousin is getting married today. I can’t get away.”
“Bently said he’d watch Zoey tonight. And everyone else said they could handle the cleanup so I could pick you up at eight?” Atlas asked.
She tilted her head. “You talked to my family? Bently said he’d watch Z so you could take me out?” Was she dreaming?
He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I came to talk to them first. I wanted them to know my intentions.”
Say what? “And what are they?” she asked, still trying to wrap her head around all of this.
His gaze locked on to hers, intense and full of promise. “To show you every day just how beautiful you are, inside and out. To be there for you through the good and the bad. And to be a part of your and Zoey’s life. I’m gonna make you mine, Jasmine. In every sense of the word. Because life without you isn’t truly living.”
She swallowed. “I’ll see you at eight.”