Page 39 of Love Everlasting

“Thanks, Jasmine,” she whispered softly, “I like yours too.”

Turning back to Sam, Jasmine paused as if waiting for his approval, and Sam practically had to bite his tongue. One thing that had surfaced when he and Shannon talked was about the control she thought Jasmine held over him because he wanted her more than she wanted him. “A woman doesn’t want a man she can control,” Shannon said. “She wants a gentle man strong enough to stand up to her because that means he’s strong enough to protect her, love her. Which means for the time being, Sam …” He remembered how she’d gently gripped his chin like he was some hyperactive kid whose attention she needed to corral. “You’re going to have to refrain from giving Jazz her way—with your time, your attention, your attraction to her, and your compliments that she’s so used to hearing.”

“Watch me,” he’d told her with the utmost confidence. But that had been before Jazz had come on to him in his apartment, and before the recent hint of longing in her eyes.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win,” she finally said, grazing his arm with perfectly manicured nails.

He shrugged. “Not a big deal.” He smiled, features softening when his heart began a slow thud, acutely aware of what was a big deal—winning the heart of the woman he loved. “There are more important things in my life now,” he said quietly, pulse picking up when he saw hope flare in her eyes.

Their song began to play, and memories hit Sam hard, taking him back to the best year of his life when Jazz was all his in the second year of residency. Before he blew it in the call room one night, when another nurse came on to him and Jazz found out.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought it’d be fun to dance to our song again, so I requested it.” Her gaze flitted to Shannon and back. “That is, if Shannon doesn’t min—”

“Where’s Derek?” Sam interrupted, suddenly feeling like a heel at the thought of leaving Shannon alone.

“He’s not coming till ten, so I—”

“Absolutely no problem whatsoever.” Shannon bolted to her feet so quickly, Sam had to steady her when she wobbled. “I need to visit the little girls’ room anyway, so he’s all yours, Jasmine.”

“Perfect.” Peeking up through sooty lashes, Jasmine twined her fingers through Sam’s as Shannon turned toward the door.

“Hey, wait.” Sam halted Shannon with his free hand, a crease of concern wedged between his brows. “You sure you don’t mind?”

Reaching up, Shannon gave his cheek a gentle pat, her sweet smile at odds with the somber look in her eyes. “Come on, Doc,” she whispered in his ear, this is what you’ve been waiting for, remember? I’ll see you in a bit.”

He watched her walk away and wondered why he suddenly felt so alone.

“Sam?” Jazz squeezed his fingers. “Ready?”

Shaking the feeling off, he turned to the woman of his dreams, struck all over again at just how beautiful she was. “Sure,” he said with his trademark smile, leading her out on the floor.

I hope.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You do realize it’s killing me not to nibble your neck.” Holding Tess at a respectable distance on the dance floor, Ben whispered through gritted teeth. His polite smile was more than a little forced in front of a sea of family, friends, and coworkers who thought he and Tess were only friends and neighbors.

With a gentle smile, Tess discreetly squeezed his hand, the pink glow in her face a perfect match for the wispy pale pink dress she wore. “Yes, just like it’s killing me not to snuggle in and lay my head on your chest, Dr. Carmichael, but there’s no sense in setting rumors afire before we’re able to tell both of our families we’re dating.”

Smile askew, he issued a low grunt. “It’s not rumors I want to set afire,” he muttered, scorching her with a heated look that deepened the blush in her cheeks. He grinned when she actually distanced herself several inches despite his arm clamped to her waist.

Lips pursed in a tight smile, she narrowed her eyes to that adorable look of warning that always made Ben smile. “I know patience is a virtue you’re not fond of, Dr. Doom, but we agreed to break our families in slowly to the idea of our engagement, did we not? First announcing we’re dating at an official family get-together, then another in a few months to disclose the engagement? And since the soonest everyone could get together for a BBQ was next week, you may as well put your matches away, Doc, because there will be no fires until we say ‘I do.’”

“What about smoke?” he said in a husky tone, his lidded gaze drifting to her lips and back, hoping some of that fire in her cheeks was coursing through her veins just like his.

Her lips tipped off-center. “No problem. I’ll just have a nice, tall glass of ice water ready in case things get too hot.” The smug smile on those beautiful lips confirmed she’d have no problem doing that, just like she’d done in the beginning of their friendship when she found him stinkin’ drunk one night in his recliner.

“Might be worth it,” he said, giving her a quick spin that coaxed a tiny squeal from her lips. He heard the catch of her breath when he dipped her back at the end of the song, lingering long enough for his gaze to burn into hers. “But I’ll behave, Ms. O’Bryen, because you’re definitely worth the wait.” He swooshed her back up, and she thumped against his chest breathless, allowing several intimate seconds for his gaze to caress hers. “I love you, Teresa O’Bryen,” he whispered, and it took everything in him to refrain from showing her just how much.

“Ditto, Ben Carmichael.” And the proof was in her eyes.

Smiling, he guided her to the table with a hand to the small of her back, managing a quick caress of his thumb to her waist before seating her again.

“Goodness, I didn’t think pastors could maneuver a dance floor so well, Rev.” Cat smiled up at Chase as he pulled out her chair, her blue eyes sparkling while her strawberry blonde hair spilled over bare shoulders. “Left over from your days as a Navy Seal, no doubt, when danger required being quick on your feet.”

“Still does,” he said with a languid smile, draping his suit coat over the back before taking his seat. He reached for his iced tea. “Now more than ever.”

Ben smiled, pretty sure that was true if Pastor Chase Griffin was interested in Tess’s more spirited twin, the daring daughter who seemed to be straying from her spiritual roots, according to Tess. Ben’s gaze ventured to where Jack was ushering Lacey back to the table, and his heart skipped a beat, still amazed at all God had done to heal his relationship with his daughter.