AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll hold you to it.” Aaron smiled and reached out his hand to shake Atlas’s.
Two of the volunteers walked over.
“He can grill my meat anytime,” Ted joked.
Atlas flashed them those pearly white teeth.
“Yeah. You can slip your wiener into my bun.” Dan winked.
“I’m flattered. Truly. But I’m afraid I’m taken.” Atlas winked at Jasmine.
Her heart soared. He’d just publicly acknowledged her as his, even after the mess upstairs. Could this be real? Did he want this to last longer than Monday?
“Lucky bitch.” Dan hip-checked her.
She laughed. Jasmine was the lucky one for once, and she was going to bask in the light as long as it lasted. But what would happen when she told him about Zoey tonight?
Over the rest of the afternoon, her smile never seemed to leave her face for long. She played with the kids. A few of them asked about part-time jobs and helping around the inn. And she promised to keep them in mind. She needed the help for sure, but her funds were too low to hire an employee just yet. She passed out the food when it was done.
Atlas’s eyes never strayed far from her. Where she’d expected pity, there was instead some unnamed emotion shining back in his grey gaze. He eventually joined a game of touch football with the kids, and they had no problem piling on him in a tackle. He didn’t seem to mind, laughing and joking along with them, clearly comfortable despite being surrounded by almost all gay men. It only made her respect for him grow. Maybe for once in her life she’d made a good decision. Maybe this was her second chance.
Atlas came over, wrapped his arm around her, and kissed her temple. “How are you doing?’
“Amazing.”
And it was the truth. Nothing could bring her down from this elation. It was like she’d swallowed sunshine.
