Jess grinned, oblivious. “Did you ever play tricks? Like pretending to be your brother to get out of trouble?”
“Not intentionally.” I shot Jasmine another look, enjoying the way she squirmed. “We were usually making the trouble together.”
That did it. Jasmine blurted, “She knows. About Reef.”
My hands tightened on the wheel, and I flicked a glance at her. Jess froze, staring between us.
“Oh my god,” she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “You told him? Thank god.”
Jasmine groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Yes. So we don’t have to talk about it now.”
Jess laughed in sheer relief, the sound bubbling up until I couldn’t help it—I started chuckling too. Even Jasmine peeked at me from behind her fingers, her own helpless smile tugging free.
“Ah,” I said at last, the sound low. “So you know.” It felt weird for a second. How could it not? But then it hit me: it was always going to feel weird if I let it. And the truth was, it didn’t matter. Not anymore.
Jess exhaled hard, shaking her head. “Well, I’m glad you were such a man about it. Says a lot about your character.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Don’t give me too much credit. I wasn’t nearly as kind to Reef. I called him, on the way to the marina earlier. Figured it was overdue.”
Jasmine’s head snapped toward me, worry flickering in her eyes. “Is everything okay between you guys?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged, kept my eyes on the road. “We’ll be fine. I’m the winner here. I got the girl.”
Her lips parted, eyes wide, and I swear I could feel the way that hit her—the way it hit me. The rest of the drive passed in quiet, the kind that didn’t need filling.
Back at the bungalow, Jasmine fussed with sheets and blankets for the couch while Jess sank into it with a sigh. I uncorked the bottle of pinot noir and poured three glasses.
“Finally,” Jasmine said, exhaling as she spread the sheets. “We can relax.”
Jess took a glass, eyeing us both. “So,” she asked, “are you going to tell me what that was all about? The cops and all…”
Jasmine’s hand stilled. She looked at me, and for a second neither of us spoke. Then she exhaled. “It’s a long story.”
And we told it. Between the two of us, we walked Jess through the whole nightmare—the threats, the silent terror, being held hostage, the dirty DEA agent finally exposed. Jess sat there wide-eyed, her wine untouched, shaking her head like she couldn’t quite process it all. At one point she whispered, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” clutching her glass tighter, knuckles white, though she never lifted it to her lips.
When we finally finished, she blew out a breath. “I can’t believe you’ve been going through all of that. It must’ve been awful. I’m just so glad you’re both okay.”
I covered Jasmine’s hand with mine. “So are we.”
Jasmine gave a little laugh. “Well… it certainly was an eventful first date.”
That cracked a smile out of me. “Yeah. As horrible as it was, the bonus was it kind of threw us together. Got to know each other fast. And let me tell you—she’s amazing.”
Jasmine’s head whipped toward me, eyes wide, but I pressed on. “Strong. Smart. Creative. Beautiful, obviously. She kept her head when I was sure we were finished, made me laugh when I didn’t think I ever would again. And bringing Faith in? That took guts. It’s what cracked this whole thing open.”
Her lips parted, eyes shining like she couldn’t believe I was saying this out loud. Inside, I could see her wobble—the pride fighting with disbelief, the way she looked almost overwhelmed by being seen so clearly. And God, I loved her for it.
“It felt like the worst luck when it started,” I admitted, voice rough. “But now? Feels like I won the lotto.”
Jess smiled, tipping her glass toward Jasmine. “You’re right. You did win big with her. Better not forget it.”
Then she stretched, yawning. “I better turn in and try to get a few hours of sleep. I’ll try not to wake you when I leave at five a.m.” She paused in the doorway, a sly grin on her lips. “And by the way… I’m a very deep sleeper.”
Jasmine giggled, cheeks flushing pink, and said, “Good to know.”
CHAPTER 33
JASMINE
