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“I don’t want to say sorry!”
Jasmine took a deep breath. “Well, what would make you feel better if someone hit you?”
After a minute, Zoey mumbled, “A hug.”
“Let’s ask Phoenix if he wants a hug.”
She got to her feet, guiding her reluctant daughter by the hand.
Phoenix’s tears had been dried and he slid from his father’s arms.
“Phe, Zoey has something to ask you,” Jasmine prompted, giving her daughter a nudge.
“Do you want a hug?” Zoey asked.
Phoenix opened his arms and clung to his older cousin. Zoey hugged him back and whispered, “I sorry for hitting you.”
“Buddy, what do you have to say about throwing sand?” Mikel asked.
Phoenix said, “I sorry.” The kids walked back to their work in the sand holding hands.
Jasmine exhaled a long breath before turning around to return to the inn and froze.
Atlas was on the porch, beer in hand, talking to Bently.
No. No. No.
Her brother nodded towards Jasmine before Atlas walked down the path approaching her.
“So, I finally get to meet the guy,” Andre said under his breath. She didn’t need to turn towards him and Mikel to know where their attention had been diverted. It was like the moments before a train wreck, seeing her two worlds collide.
Atlas stopped a couple of feet from her, nodding to the guys. “Your uh—brother told me to let you guys know the food was ready.”
Jasmine swallowed. The food is ready. Sweat broke out on her forehead. She turned to the kids. “Come on, guys. Time to go wash up and then eat.”
Zoey dropped her shovel and ran ahead, always wanting to beat Lyra. Jasmine turned back to Atlas. “Thanks.”
He nodded.
Mikel clapped a hand over Atlas’s back. “Come on in. Guests get first pick.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” Atlas argued.
“You’re not. But you might offend the ladies if you don’t join and get a plate.” Andre nodded towards the house, adjusting his son on his hip.
What were they doing? The last thing she needed was her family talking with Atlas. What if they said something before she had the chance to explain? Panic squeezed her chest as she shot Mikel a look that would kill any other mere mortal. He gave her a wink as he headed inside, Andre following right behind him.
“Is this okay with you?” Atlas asked, studying her.
No. “Of course,” she squeaked, walking towards the inn. Her heart was pounding, and she had the feeling that it would only get worse from here on in. Her world was about to implode.
Her sisters-in-law got Atlas a plate and her family welcomed him into their fold. Bently’s critical glare was the only abnormal thing about this get-together. That and the fact that her unknowing baby daddy fit right in. He laughed and kept up with the conversation, even answering the never-ending questions about living in the city from Lyra and Zoey. He fits in better than I do. His smiles seemed genuine. His laughter was pure. And every time his eyes landed on her, her heart skipped a beat. She was in trouble.
“So, you helped renovate the inn?” Atlas asked Mikel and Andre.
“Yup,” Andre answered.
“Someone had to make sure it got done right and Jasmine was taken care of,” Mikel said, his smile dropping just a little.
