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Chapter 27
Jasmine
Jasmine packed Zoey’s lunch bag as Atlas told the little girl a joke that had her giggling. She smiled, her heart so full at seeing father and daughter enjoying this moment. It felt right—meant to be. She’d gone and had a baby with a stranger, then met him again years later and fallen in love. She’d done it so backwards. But when had her life ever gone according to plan? Normalcy was a perception after all, not a set rule.
“Better eat that breakfast so you can grow big and strong.” Atlas grinned at Zoey.
She picked up the breakfast burrito and shoved a big bite in her mouth. He chuckled and shook his head as he brought his empty cup over to the counter.
He flicked his gaze to Zoey who was happily oblivious to them as she chatted with another guest, a woman with long, red hair who Zoey had already said reminded her of Anna.
Atlas pressed his hand to the small of her back, discreetly bringing his nose to her neck and inhaling. “I missed waking up to you this morning. Sorry I fell asleep.”
She smiled. “I missed that too.”
She peeked another glance at her daughter as he kissed her temple.
“Aunty Remy is here!” Zoey exclaimed, pointing out the window.
Jasmine zipped up the bag and walked over to Zoey. She wiped Zoey’s mouth before guiding her outside and into Remy’s waiting SUV. She kissed Zoey’s cheek and shut the car door.
“Thanks again for this,” Jasmine said to Remy.
“Anytime. Good luck.” Remy gave her a squeeze before she climbed into the SUV. Jasmine waved as Remy drove off.
Jasmine’s stomach tumbled and twisted. Knots of anticipation and nerves mangled inside her. She put one shaky leg in front of the other, heading back into the inn.
Atlas was waiting where she’d left him, leaning against the counter. The other guests had cleared out. It was just the two of them.
“Come here,” he said.
She walked over, each step harder than the last. Her body grew hot with nervous excitement. This would be a shock and then he’d have to process it. But hopefully in the end, he’d see this as a good thing.
His brow wrinkled as she drew closer, like he could read her apprehension. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her words stuck in her throat.
He leaned down, capturing her mouth in a kiss. She melted against him, savoring this moment before she shattered his perfectly manicured world.
His hands drifted over the back of her shirt before coasting down to her ass. He picked her up and set her on the counter, stepping between her thighs. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”
“I need you to try. There’s something I have to talk to you about,” she tried.
“I know.”
“W-what?” she asked, holding her breath.
“I know this is a lot more than we both bargained for. But I want you to know that what I feel for you, I’ve never felt for anyone. I’m in this, regardless of what that means. I’ve got you. And . . . I love you.”
She blinked, her chest tight. The well burst in her heart. “I love you too.” Jasmine kissed him. He squeezed her harder, grinding himself against her.
She broke away, panting, smiling. They could overcome anything together. Finally, Jasmine was ready to jump overboard because he would be there to catch her. “Atlas?”
“Yeah, baby?”
She took a deep breath. Here goes everything. “Four years ago, I was in a really bad place. I’d use sex as a way to make myself feel better for a moment and . . . punish myself at the same time. I met a man in a bar and we hooked up in the bathroom—”
“I don’t need to know this.” He cupped her face.
