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“Almost. I’m gonna go grab some cups.” Emma disappeared into the kitchen before returning with two glasses. “Just like old times.”
Jasmine smiled. “Except these are a step up from Solo cups and stolen liquor.”
Emma laughed. “We had some good experiences. Remember how Remy would be terrified the whole time that we would get caught?”
“Yes. She was always such a good girl.”
“Who would have thought she’d end up with the baddest boy in Shattered Cove?” Emma poured them each a half glass of wine before handing Jasmine one.
Jasmine sipped it.
“And before you tell me they deserve their happy lives, know that I don’t disagree. And someday, you’ll find that too.”
Jasmine took another drink. “I thought maybe I’d found it with . . . him.” She couldn’t say his name. It hurt too much. “I told him I loved him.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “What did he say?”
“He said it first. He said he’d be there. And then . . . everything fell apart.”
“Do you think he meant it?”
“I’d thought so. But then after it all went to shit, he said it wasn’t real.”
Emma sat forward. “Do you think he could have been lashing out because he was hurt about the his-twin-brother-being-your-baby-daddy thing?”
Emma—always straight to the point without sugarcoating. “It’s possible. But it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s over. For good. He hurt me so bad.”
“I don’t care what that man had going on, you don’t deserve what he said to you.”
Don’t I?
Everything he’d accused her of was untrue or she’d had good reason for. Reasons she’d defend with her dying breath. She’d made mistakes. She’d fucked countless strangers. She’d been the other woman before. But she’d learned and grown. She’d turned her life around and worked hard to become the person she was today. Sure, she had a long way to go. But she was proud of her progress. Not many people could live through the hell she had and break the cycle. She’d done that. Alone. Fought demons in the dark, wounded and blind. All for the little light she’d birthed into the world. She’d sworn that darkness would never touch her child.
Emma set her glass on the table and put her arm around Jasmine. “I’m so sorry. We can’t choose who we fall in love with. I wish we could. It would save us all some heartache.”
“I guess we both have a thing for brothers, huh?” Jasmine joked.
Emma slapped her arm playfully. “Bitch.”
“Did you stop and see Link?”
Emma took a gulp of her wine. “Nope. Came straight here from the airport. I’ll go see Dad at the garage before I head back. Maybe Lincoln will be there.”
“You ever gonna make a move and take a chance on that?”
Emma rolled her eyes. “So things can be even more awkward and strained between him and I? No, thanks.”
“Maybe you’ll meet the man or woman for you on this tour,” Jasmine joked.
Emma smirked. “Or maybe the woman for me is sitting on this couch.” Her eyebrows moved up and down suggestively.
Jasmine giggled. “I wish it were as easy as that.”
“I know. Too bad that one time we kissed it felt like I was smooching my sister.” Emma shrugged.
“You’re strictly a stepbrother kind of woman. Got it.”
“See if I bring you wine ever again.” Emma scoffed.
Jasmine took another sip, the alcohol easing into her system. A few moments of silence passed.
“So, what are you gonna do?” Emma asked.
Jasmine drained the last of her glass and looked her dead in the eye. “Prepare for fucking battle. If this guy thinks he can take my child away from me without a fight, he’s got another thing coming.”
“Yes! That’s the boss I wanted to see. You got this.” Emma cheered.
Jasmine was done being used. Done letting herself take responsibility for others’ mistakes. She was finished with punishing herself. She wouldn’t hold back. Zoey deserved better. I deserve better.
