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Heat rose to her cheeks. She wasn’t a charity case. And usually men wanted something in return. Nothing was free. “I’m good. Just ate dinner.”
“What’s your favorite flavor?” he persisted.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not hungry.”
“Okay. Why don’t you girls go get a table?” Atlas suggested.
Jasmine grabbed Zoey’s hand and led her to an empty blue and white booth. Zoey slid in first, and Jasmine followed. Atlas joined them a few minutes later.
“Z, what do you say to Mr. Atlas for the ice cream?” Jasmine prodded.
“Fank you.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Jasmine tried to look anywhere but at him. Zoey rubbed her eyes. It was close to her bedtime. She wasn’t going to win any mother-of-the-year awards for pumping her kid full of sugar before bed, but this was a moment with her father Zoey could remember as she grew older. What Jasmine wouldn’t have given to just meet her biological father—or even see a picture—to have some connection to Korea.
“How was your day at school?” Atlas asked Zoey.
“It was otay. I gots to paint with my fingers.” She held up her little hands.
Atlas’s eyes widened. “Wow. That sounds pretty fun.”
“Here you go.” The waitress came over with her hands full. “One cotton candy cone with rainbow sprinkles for the princess.” She handed it to Zoey’s outstretched hands. “I added some extra sprinkles.” She winked.
Jasmine hadn’t seen her around before. She flicked her eyes to the name tag. Brynn.
“Fank you.”
“Sure, cutie.” Brynn winked. “Here’s your chocolate mint cone.”
“Thanks.”
“And your chai vanilla shake.” She set the paper cup in front of Jasmine. Atlas’s eyes were glued to her.
“Anything else?” Brynn asked.
“I think we’re good.” Atlas nodded.
“Enjoy.” The waitress left them alone.
“I told you I didn’t want anything,” Jasmine said, eying the milkshake. How did he know my favorite flavor?
He shrugged. “No, you said you weren’t hungry. I got you a shake so you can drink it later when you have room.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. Was this pity? Was he attempting to make up for earlier? Was he just trying to get her to sleep with him?
“What else happened at school today, Zoey?” Atlas focused back on her daughter.
Zoey had licked all the sprinkles off and had a dab of pink ice cream on her nose. Jasmine wiped her face with a napkin as Zoey answered.
“Denny kissed me.”
Jasmine’s hand froze. The blood in her veins turned to ice. Her chest squeezed tight as she held her breath. Panic skittered across her skin. “W-what did you say?”
“Denny kissed me.” Zoey scrunched up her nose.
“Where?” Jasmine asked, her voice sounding more urgent than she’d intended.
