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Chapter 26
Tyler
Tucked into the same side of a booth, we sip coffee and wait for our food to arrive.
“You ordered chicken strips with breakfast the last time we came here too.Was that supposed to jog my memory?”She cradles her coffee cup, eyeing me over the rim.
“Yep, but it didn’t, so I’ll have to demonstrate when they arrive.”The chicken strips story needs to be shown, not just told, which is the only reason I haven’t launched into the story yet.“You made me laugh that night.And you may not remember the chocolate episode, but I remember it enough for both of us.Branded in my memory.Forever.”
She rests her head on my arm.“When I saw the video, I was so embarrassed.Never in my life have I done anything like that.”
“It’s ’cause I’m so sweet.You couldn’t resist me.”
Breakfast arrives, and I tear the crust off a chicken strip as I tell her the story.We’re both laughing so hard, the waitress comes to check on us.
“What did y’all add to your coffee?Very giggly over here.”
Jasmine catches her breath first.“Just cream.I promise.”
“Well, after hearing you talk about chocolate and something sweet, I ordered up a slice of our chocolate cake.On the house.”She leans in and whispers, “For one of my favorite customers.”She slaps the ordering pad against her hip, then slides it into her apron.“I’ll bring it out when you’re done.”
“She’s bringing us chocolate.”I poke Jasmine in the side and dance my eyebrows.
A blush creeps up her cheeks.“I promise I’ll behave.”
“Dang it.What if I wash my hands?”I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time, and I wish I’d been more open with her from the start.
She gives me a look only a preschool teacher can perfect.“No.I’m not licking chocolate off you here in the diner.”
“We can get it to go.”
Her jaw falls open, and her face turns from a soft pink to bright red.“I can’t believe you said that.”
“Have I ever said how much I love your laugh?It’s melodic in a way that harmonizes with my heart.”I kiss her cheek.“I love you, and I promise I’ll be good.And nice.”
She cuts into her stack of pancakes.“I tried to kiss you, huh?”
“I’d say it was honor that kept me from kissing a woman who was under the influence of something, but that was only part of it.”
“Now that I’ve heard all the stuff I can’t remember, I’m doubly shocked you sought me out.”
“You’re a prize, Jasmine.Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like that’s not true.”I need her to take my words to heart.Her stepfather spent many years berating her and feeding her lies, and I aim to spend the rest of my life replacing those lies with truth.“Those guys at the party weren’t just talking to you because there were no other women at the fire.There were plenty of women at that party.They were circling you because you’re an attractive woman with an amazing smile and an engaging personality.Or they’re sharks.”
She holds up a finger.“It wasn’t about my personality because I hardly said a word.When I asked them about gardening, they laughed.”
“Because they’re dumb.”I may sound like one of her preschoolers, but the truth seems obvious and easy to understand.“Also, I wasn’t joking about that case of Bottle Caps, but I’m going to have to store them at your house because I can’t stop eating them.”
With her mouth full of pancakes, she grins.
Today didn’t unfold in the way I expected, but my hope is now a reality.
Jasmine loves me.
Once our plates are mostly empty and pushed to the side, the waitress comes back to the table.“You ready for that cake?”
Avoiding my gaze, Jasmine leans across me and asks, “Is it possible for us to get that to go?”
“Sure thing, hun.Be right back.”The waitress hurries back toward the kitchen.
