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Chapter 14
Tyler
Grayson and Daisy, in what was clearly a coordinated effort, forced my hand, but I’m not complaining.Jasmine is interested.If we’d met at Joji’s, this wouldn’t be complicated.I would’ve asked her out weeks ago.I’ve almost given up hoping she’ll remember me.Maybe it doesn’t matter if she does.
Except it does matter.Maybe spending more time together will spark her memory.
“This place is nice.”I scoot until my hip is just touching hers.
She grins.“I like it.”
Daisy and Grayson are huddled behind a menu, figuring out what they’re going to order.We all know Grayson is head over heels, but Daisy has it worse.She leaves notes stuck to his cabin door, highlighting traits she loves about him.
We give him a bit of a hard time, but I’d love for a woman to think of me that way.
I set my menu down and lean closer to Jasmine.Pointing at her menu, I ask, “What’s your favorite?”
“The breakfast.It’s what I order almost every time I come in here.”
“Because?”
Blinking, she stares at me then at the menu.Her answer will either be quick and easy, or she’ll give me a glimpse inside.
I’m really hoping for a glimpse.
“That’s my comfort food.Everyone has something, right?A blanket, a pet.I eat breakfast when I’m worried, stressed, or tired.”
“And what gets you stressed, worried, or tired?”I smile when she holds my gaze.
“I teach at the place down the street, which I love, but I sometimes go most of the day without a meal.Daisy and I stop by here after class maybe once a week.More often than I should.”She nibbles her lip a second.“What looks good to you?”
That’s a question with an easy answer.“You.”But saying that now is poorly timed since I’m still in waiting mode.
Her smile widens, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.“I meant on the menu.”
I need her to remember the night of the party, so I throw in a clue.“I think I’ll have the chicken strips.”
She closes the menu without the slightest indication she finds it the least bit funny.Blocking out a whole night isn’t normal.If she doesn’t remember anything from that night, that makes me grateful I was there.Whether she was drunk or drugged, she didn’t need to be alone.
I’m glad she’s friends with Daisy now, someone who won’t rush off and leave a friend in a bad situation.
I slide the menu to the edge of the table.“I’m glad this worked out.I didn’t realize we had mutual friends.”
“Small world, I guess.”She has no idea how true that is.
“Tell me, Jasmine, what do you do with your time when you aren’t teaching yoga?”
“Two days a week, I teach preschoolers art and gardening, but I’m looking for something with more hours.Not necessarily at a preschool.And watching you help Joji has me itching to put in a garden.I need to check with the Grindles to be sure it’s okay, but I’m hoping they say yes.”
“I know someone who is great at putting in gardens and would be more than happy to help you.”I bump her shoulder.“Just tell me when to show up.”
“I’ll let you know what they say.”
“No need to wait until next week.I can give you my number.”I slip out my phone and hand it to her.“Or you could give me yours.”
She hands my phone back without typing anything.“What’s yours?”As I rattle it off, she types.Then my phone buzzes in my hand.“Now you have my number.And I have yours.I’ll call you.”
When the waitress walks up, we all order.
