Atlas wiped the sweat beading on his brow. His back ached. He’d spent the majority of the day doing grunt work at his future restaurant. This was a far cry from his office job, but he wouldn’t change a thing.
“Atlas?” Mikel called from the open door. It led to the deck they were constructing around the building that would overlook the bay.
“Yeah?” He set the paintbrush down and straightened.
“Can you go get the board stretcher from the back of the truck?” Mikel asked.
Andre’s bark of laughter followed the request.
“Sure. What’s it look like?”
“It’s a board with two nails and a rubber band,” Mikel answered, turning his head away as his shoulders shook.
Atlas dusted off his hands on his pants and walked out the front door into the gorgeous summer sunshine. He inhaled a deep breath, taking in the green trees swaying in the breeze, the blue sky, and the lingering scent of the sea. This is my life now. And what a beautiful life it was.
He opened the back of the truck and moved some machinery and tools which he didn’t recognize. He searched to no avail. His frustration grew. There were boards, but none with nails and a rubber band.
Crunching gravel drew his attention to the right. Bently pulled in next to him and got out of his sheriff’s truck. “Hey.” Bently nodded.
Atlas waved. “Stopping by to see the progress?”
Bently eyed the truck bed. “Yeah. What are you lookin’ for?”
“A board stretcher. Mikel said it was—”
Bently shook his head and burst out laughing.
“What?” Atlas looked down at his shirt.
“You make it too easy for them.” Bently chuckled. “There’s no such thing as a board stretcher. You can’t stretch wood.”
“So this is a joke?”
Bently nodded towards the restaurant. Atlas turned to find Mikel and Andre doubling over in laughter.
They’d been constantly razzing him about his lack of experience with physical labor the last few weeks. How was he supposed to know the difference between a Phillips-head and a flat-head screwdriver? His family had always had people for those sorts of things. Not anymore. He still had a lot to prove when it came to Jasmine and her loved ones.
“You should have left him another ten minutes,” Andre said.
Atlas shook his head.
“I thought you’d learned your lesson the last time you harassed a client,” Bently retorted.
Is he sticking up for me?
Andre’s laughter died down, his eyes narrowing.
Bently slapped his hand over Atlas’s back, ushering him forward. “Come on. Show me what you guys got done. I think Belle and the ladies are gonna come over Saturday to do some painting while we finish the back deck.”
Atlas turned to face Jasmine’s oldest brother. Her family was so different to his. These guys were going to take the day off to help make his dream come true that much quicker. The affection and loyalty hit him square in the chest. “Thank you, guys. For everything. I just . . . I don’t know how I’m going to repay you.”
Mikel bumped his shoulder with his own. “Take care of Jasmine and Zoey—that’s all we ask.”
Atlas nodded. “Of course.”
“And obviously, we’ll be sending you a bill.” Andre added with a smirk.
“What are you guys doing standing around, doing nothing? Is this what y'all are being paid for? To gossip?” Jasmine’s voice had him turning around. Her beautiful smirk lit up the room like the sun breaking through the clouds.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He opened his arms to give her a hug and then thought better of it. “Sorry, I’m all sweaty.”
“That’s okay. I like you all sweaty and dirty.” She winked playfully as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
The three other men in the room groaned in unison.
“That’s too much information.” Mikel cringed.
Jasmine’s throaty laughter spilled out. “Payback’s a bitch.”
Mikel waved her off. “I’m going to go do some real work.” He and Andre left out the rear exit.
Jasmine turned to her remaining brother. “Hey, Bent, I wondered if you could watch Zoey two Saturdays from now? I’ve got a wedding event at the inn.”
“I can do it,” Atlas offered.
Bently and Jasmine turned to him.
He shrugged. “I mean, if you’re comfortable with that. I can take her for lunch and ice cream. Maybe to the park after that?”
“You would do that? Alone?”
Atlas reached out before brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “Of course. You don’t have to do this on your own anymore. I’m here. I’ve got your back.”
Jasmine nodded. “I guess I just keep forgetting.”
“Well then, I’ll keep reminding you.” He kissed her nose.
Her smile widened.
His body heated. It had been so long since they’d been together. He was giving her space like he’d promised, going slow. She set the pace, and he’d be patient for as long as she needed to feel safe enough to take this next step. He’d done a lot of damage leaving her the way he did. Trust took time to build. Jasmine was worth the wait.
“Okay, well, since that’s settled, I’m gonna see myself out. I’ll be back Saturday, with beer.” Bently excused himself.
Atlas didn’t take his eyes off Jasmine as he said, “Yeah, thanks again.”
Jasmine took a step forward, leaning into him. His lips melded with hers, softly and sweetly.
“Have they been giving you a hard time?” she asked.
“They’ve been great—highly entertaining.” They were treating him like one of their own. And it meant the world to him after losing his own family for pursuing his own desires. He hadn’t heard a word from his brother or parents since he left the city to set up shop in Shattered Cove. He was just grateful his grandfather hadn’t cut off his access to his trust. The biggest loss had been Oliver. But his twin’s true colors had come out, and he was ashamed he hadn’t seen them sooner. Atlas would be a better man. He’d choose his family from here on out.
“Hey, while you’re here, I wanted to see which tables you thought I should order.” Atlas walked over to the counter and picked up a magazine. Jasmine joined him as he pointed out his top three choices.
“The reclaimed wood ones would be perfect. But I know my brothers could probably hook you up with them for cheaper or refer you to someone local to make them.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It should help with your budget.”
“I’ll ask them.” Atlas looped his arms around Jasmine, pulling her against him once more. “I think I love you more every day.”
She giggled. “I think it’s my family.”
“Them too. I don’t know what I did to deserve you all.”
Her expression grew serious. “You were you, Atlas. You just needed to find someone who accepted you for who you truly are. And that’s why we work so well together. Because you accept me too. You haven’t tried to change me, and I won’t ask you to be someone you’re not either.”
His lips coasted over her forehead, brushing softly against her skin. “That’s one of the million reasons I fucking love you.”
“A million, huh?” she teased.
“Want to hear them all?”
“Of course.”
“Let me cook you and Zoey dinner tonight. And after she goes to bed, we’ll sit on the couch with a glass of your favorite wine and I’ll tell you all about them.”
She grinned. “It’s a date.”