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Zoey looked up at her and pointed to her cheek. “Here.”
Jasmine forced a deep breath in and out of her lungs as she softened her facial features. Smiling when it felt like you were free-falling was no easy task. She gentled her voice. “Did Denny ask if he could kiss you?”
Zoey shook her head. “No. He chased me and then did it.”
Anger roiled inside her. Every muscle in her body tensed. “Did you tell your teacher?”
Zoey’s shoulders drooped. “Miss Stevens said it meant he liked me.”
Jasmine clenched her hands into fists, her nails breaking her skin. “That wasn’t okay, sweetheart. No one can touch your body without asking and you saying yes, remember?”
Zoey lowered her head, her face downcast. “I’m sorry, Mommy.”
Pink ice cream dripped down her chubby hands. Jasmine took it from her and set it on the pile of napkins on the table before cleaning her hands quickly and holding her baby girl in her arms. “Z, honey? You’re not in trouble. You didn’t do anything wrong. Denny didn’t ask for your consent, and that was wrong.”
“Co-sent?” Zoey asked.
Jasmine nodded. “Remember, it’s the big word that means ask for your permission?”
Zoey nodded, her face buried in Jasmine’s neck.
“Your teacher was also wrong. If a boy really likes you, he’ll wait for your consent.” She was suddenly aware of Atlas’s intense stare on her. In her panic, she’d forgotten they weren’t alone. It didn’t matter. Some things were too important to wait.
Jasmine pulled Zoey away, cupping her sweet face in her hands. She considered her daughter’s grey eyes. “You’re not in trouble, Zoey. You did the right thing by telling me. You can always come to Mommy and tell me anything, and I will never get mad. Okay?”
Zoey nodded. “Otay, Mommy. I will.”
Jasmine set her back down in the seat. “Now eat your ice cream before it melts.”
Zoey picked up what was left of the cone and took a big lick.
Jasmine’s eyes flicked to Atlas’s. His own cone was dripping onto the table. She pointed. “You’re making a mess.”
He blinked twice before looking down as if just realizing it himself. He swept his pink tongue out, licking along the edge of the cone.
“Do you ask girls for co-sent before you kiss them, Mr. Atlas?” Zoey piped up.
He coughed. Of all the questions to ask.
Atlas’s gaze shifted to hers, a flicker of guilt crossing them. Is he going to lie? Most adults did in this situation.
“Actually, no. I haven’t.”
He earned a little more of Jasmine’s respect with his truthful answer.
Zoey’s eyes grew wide. “You haven’t?”
He shook his head. “But I promise I will from now on.”
Zoey’s eyes lit up and she smiled. “Good. That’s good, right, Mommy?”
“That’s very good.” Now if the rest of the male population could get on board . . . She’d be having a talk with Miss Stevens on Monday.
Zoey focused on her ice cream, only managing a few more licks before she set it back onto the napkin. Jasmine excused them to go to the bathroom, and cleaned Zoey’s hands and face with water. Her little legs were lagging on the walk back to the table.
“You guys ready to go?” Atlas asked, getting up from the table.
“Yes.”
