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Chapter 14
Jasmine
Jasmine dug her toes into the warm sand as she picked through the pile of seashells she and Zoey had collected that morning.
“Is dere a tiny one?” Zoey pinched her fingers together squinting.
Jasmine laughed, sunlight warming her from the inside out as her chest expanded. “I love you so much, Z.”
“I love you too much, Mommy.”
Jasmine’s laughter grew and Zoey joined in with her. “Don’t ever change, baby girl.”
Zoey picked up a small white shell from the pile and put it atop her sandcastle. “We needs a mermaid now.”
As Zoey went to work digging into the bin of beach toys, Jasmine took the time to admire the bounce in her black pigtails. And the way those eyes glittered with a thirst for life and determination to experience every moment to its fullest. Was I ever as carefree as this?
Moments like this made all her hard work worth it. To see her daughter laugh and play, happy and safe—there was no greater honor. I did this for her. But how long could this go on? Soon they wouldn’t have a car to get her to school. She could ask her brothers for help with a loan. But it’s not their job to take care of me and Zoey. It’s mine. Not to mention the issue with her teacher. Was her baby safe at school? Perhaps most other mothers would have let it slide, ignored the seemingly insignificant actions. But Jasmine wasn’t other moms. I might be a fuckup in a hundred ways, but my daughter will be safe and know what’s right and what’s wrong.
And now Zoey might be able to have her father in her life. Jasmine had wanted to make sure he was a good person—and it seemed he was. She’d tell him . . . but not with her family around. Tomorrow. She’d tell him tomorrow.
“Anybody home?” Remy’s voice called out.
Zoey jumped up and down excitedly. “Yes!”
Jasmine stood and dusted the sand off her shorts. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to greet her family and the questions she’d have to fend off all afternoon.
“Hey, guys.” She waved as Zoey’s cousins came barreling around the corner.
“Little sister.” Mikel stepped down the porch steps and pulled her into a hug. “How are you doing?”
“Just peachy,” she snarked.
“I think you try to make up for all the teen years I missed with your sass now.” He chuckled.
She winced. It was a bittersweet reminder of the time he’d left—abandoned her like her parents had. He’d needed to heal, and she’d forgiven him. But the reminder still hurt.
Bently walked through the back door with Belle trailing him. Andre and Mia followed with their son, Matteo.
“I see the gang’s all here,” Jasmine said, giving everyone hugs.
Bently looked her up and down, worry creasing his brow. “You look thinner.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re having a cookout, then.”
“Leave her be,” Belle said, putting her hand on her husband’s shoulder.
“I already stuck the enchiladas in the oven to keep them warm,” Mia said, handing over the chubby, drooling baby to Andre.
“Perfect. Who’s manning the grill?” Jasmine asked.
“I’ll do it.” Bently waved his hand and pulled the cover off.
“I guess that means we got kid duty,” Mikel said, nodding to Andre.
Everyone dispersed to do their respective jobs. The women filed into the kitchen before setting up the various salads and fruit. Mia poured wine for them all. Jasmine gladly took her plastic cupful. She didn’t usually indulge, except for the occasional five-dollar bottle of the cheap stuff. So this was a treat. After the week she’d had, she deserved it.
“So . . . where is he?” Remy whispered.
