by Lacey Legend
“Do you remember her?”
“Not really. I mean, sometimes I think that I do. But I don’t. I was too little. I just have the photos and all the stories that my dad used to tell me. Sounds like she was one special lady at that. My father’s stories were all so realistic that I sometimes find myself thinking about them as if they were happening right now. I can close my eyes and almost picture them. I like that he did that. I used to beg him for more stories. I wanted to keep the memory of her alive instead of just forgetting about her. I have nobody to tell me those stories anymore. So most nights, before I go to sleep, I spend some time thinking about both of them. Keeping the memories alive again. Sorry, Jasmine, this is getting very deep. These tattoos – they’re quite personal sometimes.”
“That’s okay. I like finding these things out about you. You’re a wonderful man, Eric.”
Jasmine was moved by each story that he told. Most of his tattoos had some sort of meaning attached to them. Others were just frivolous fun. She asked him about each and every one until she was sure that she had gotten them all. It took over an hour, and eventually she reached out for a blanket and pulled it on top of them. They were both still naked, and she was starting to get cold. She cuddled closer to him. It felt as if she suddenly knew this man inside and out. As if his tattoos were a portal to his soul. She may not know some of the basics, but she felt as if she knew who he was – and that was far more important.
“And how about you?” he asked her.
“Me? What about me?”
“Yeah, do you have any tattoos? It doesn’t look like it, unless you have a small one hidden somewhere,” he said.
She tried not to blush as she realized that he had just seen her naked. He lifted up her arms and peered behind her hair, and she giggled.
She shook her head. “Not even one. The only thing that you’re going to find is a few freckles.”
“Ah – freckles – those are tattoos made by God. Well, who knows, maybe one day you’ll get an urge to get your own tattoo. Stranger things have happened.”
She smiled. “I’ll be honest – I don’t think so. But then again, I never thought that I’d find it so attractive before. And I do now. So yeah, maybe I will. Maybe I will.”
***
“Hey, Allie. You’re back!” Jasmine said as she picked up her phone. Allie had been off work all week, and it was the first time the two of them had spoken in a while. Allie had taken time off to spend with her mother, and the two had gone away to spend time on the beach. They’d put their phones on silent and decided to spend a week without the distractions of real life. Jasmine hadn’t liked not being able to talk to her. For the past few years, they had spoken to each other almost every single day.
“I’m back! Gosh, it feels so weird to be back to reality. It felt so strange not having a phone or the internet for the first two days, but by the end of the week, I was loving it. I think we should do things like this more often. In fact, the whole time I was thinking that you and I are so due a holiday together again. It was nice with my mom, but a holiday just isn’t right without you and me getting up to some mischief,” Allie gushed, and Jasmine smiled at the thought. The last time they had gone on holiday together had been so much fun, and they’d been meaning to organize another trip for quite some time.
“Ah, that would be wonderful. I think you’re right – it’s well overdue. I am desperate to be lying on a beach with you, drinking a cocktail and checking out the local talent. Let’s start planning something soon. I’ve missed you this week. It’s just not the same without you here. I was starting to talk to myself. So, you had a good time? How’s your mom?”
“We had a great time. And my mom is doing so much better. She even flirted with some guy while we were away. The guy kept saying that she was the prettiest lady he had ever seen. It was quite sweet. I think it made her realize that there is more to life than what she thought and that her life doesn’t have to end just because she got a divorce. I think she’s going to be fine. She opened up quite a lot to me about what had been going on with her and my father, so I think it did her some good. And it was good for us – just bonding like that.”
“Did you tell her about Marc?”
“Yeah, she’s so happy. She’s always had a soft spot for him. I swear now that everyone knows that I’m with him, they are all telling me how perfect we are for each other. Why didn’t anyone tell me this before? Maybe it would’ve happened sooner then.”
Jasmine laughed at that. “Actually, people told you all the time. You just shrugged it off. You were totally blind to the fact that the boy was in love with you.”
“Really? Well, maybe I should start listening to people more. Seems they know better than I do.”
“Yes, you must start listening to me more! I’m your best friend. I can see it all. You must’ve missed him like crazy.”
“I did! Too much. Which is a good thing. It probably wouldn’t be good if I hadn’t given him any thought. And it sounds like he missed me, too. We couldn’t even talk to each other the whole week, which made us miss each other even more. I mean, the welcome-back sex was nothing short of perfect,” Allie said and then giggled.
“Ah! Allie! So, is this it? Are you officially in a relationship now? Is he your boyfriend?”
“He’s my boyfriend,” Allie admitted, and the joy in her voice was palpable.
Jasmine squealed. “Finally! This is the best news ever. I’m so happy for you, Allie. I cannot believe that Marc is finally your boyfriend. I mean, I always knew that it would happen, but you guys were just taking so long to make it happen. You deserve this, my friend.”
“Thank you! I’m happy for me, too. I feel like going around and introducing us to everyone. Like, ‘Oh hello, nice to see you again. Oh, this is Marc; he’s my boyfriend,’” Allie said and then giggled. “Anyway, enough about me. I called to find about how you were doing? How are things going with the bad boy neighbor? Seen him again?”
Jasmine thought back to the night before and grinned. “It’s going well. Yes, I have seen him. He came over last night.”
“Oh yeah? For more hot chocolate?”
“If you’re referring to me as being hot chocolate, then yes – he came for that.”
Allie laughed. “I wasn’t actually – but I see what you did there. Jasmine, you naughty girl. You slept with the neighbor! I’m shocked.”
“Who said I slept with him? I just said he came over. If you go back and listen to what I said, you’ll find that I never for one minute said that I slept with him.”
“Well, did you?” Allie asked.
Jasmine laughed. “Yes. I did.”
“Ha! I knew it. Wow, I’m shocked by this. I would’ve paid good money to say that you hadn’t slept with him. I’ve been trying to get you laid forever now.”
“You’re not supposed to say things like that. You’re supposed to say that you’ve been trying to get me to fall in love or go on a date or something. You’re not supposed to say that you’ve been wanting me to have sex with someone. That’s a terrible example to be setting for me. Especially in my vulnerable state.”
“Oh, please,” Allie said, and Jasmine knew that she was rolling her eyes, “I wanted you to get laid. The going on dates and falling in love can come after.”
“That’s a bit backward.”
“Well, life doesn’t always run in a straight line. As we’ve noticed. So, how was it?”
“Oh, you know, nothing short of amazing.”
Allie giggled. “Wow, life has really turned around for us. Which brings me to one of the reasons why I was phoning you.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you and bad boy neighbor want to go on a double date with me and Marc? I mean, I was going to try to find a guy for you, but seeing as though you’ve already found one for yourself, it makes the job a whole lot easier. So, what do you say? You, me, Marc, and bad boy neighbor?”
“Only if you stop calling him ‘bad boy neighbor’ – I mean,
you can say that to me. But you better call him Eric when you meet him.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Of course that’s a yes. I’d love that, Allie. Just say when and where, and we’ll be there.”
“Great! I’ll chat to Marc and text you the details. I cannot wait to meet this man.”
“And I cannot wait to show him off!”
“Wait, is he your boyfriend?” Allie asked suddenly.
“Oh, uh… no… I don’t think so. I guess we haven’t spoken about that. But no, we’re just seeing each other, and it’s nice.”
“Well, nice is good. Have you told your mom about him yet?”
“I haven’t, actually. I wanted to first see how things were going. I mean, if this is just a small little fling, than I don’t see the point. And right now, I’m honestly not sure which way the whole thing is going to go. I know I tell my mom most things, but she was so upset about Brendan. I don’t want to get her hopes up about some guy who might end up being nothing. Right now, we’re just having some fun. Something I haven’t done in a very long time. But if it carries on – then I’ll definitely tell her. The good thing is that right now, I don’t really mind. I’m not putting any labels or forcing anything. I’m just letting it happen.”
Jasmine put down the phone. She actually didn’t mind that they hadn’t officially decided what they were yet. She liked that they were just taking things as they came – so far it was working out quite well for them. She actually had considered telling her mother about him. There was a big chance that her mother would just be happy that she had moved on from Brendan. But she was still slightly wary about Eric – he really wasn’t her usual type, and there was a big chance that they would be over before they began. She’d wait a bit before telling her mother. Mostly because she knew that she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings from her mother – and it was hard to deny how much she really liked this guy. She quickly called him.
“Hey, you. You know you could’ve just opened your window and shouted across to me?” he teased.
“Really? You wouldn’t have minded me doing that? Even though I was calling for phone sex?” she teased back.
“You were?”
She heard the shock in his voice. That made her laugh. Did he really think she was the sort of girl who would be capable of doing that?
“No, silly! Actually, I was phoning to see if you wanted to go on a double date with me and Allie. She’s the best friend that I told you about. The one that I work with. She’s heard all about you. Also, she has a new boyfriend – the big love of her life – and I think she wants to show the new relationship off.”
There was silence on the other end for a moment. Then he finally said, “Oh, a double date? I’m not sure. I mean, I’m not all that good with people I don’t know.”
“Well, you were good with me. And anyway, Allie is practically the white version of me. We’re like twins in a way. And Marc is one of the most down-to-earth guys you’ll ever meet. Trust me, it will be fun. And even if it’s not – there will be wine!”
“Well, wine is good, but I’m just not sure, Jasmine,” Eric said.
Jasmine could still hear the uncertainty in his voice. She wondered why. She hoped that she was not being duped again. She’d already been made a fool of once before. If Eric didn’t want to be seen out with her in public, then she wanted to know now before she got in too deep with him. She deserved better than that. And she wasn’t going to push him into doing something that he didn’t want to do. She didn’t want to be that sort of girl.
“Look, Eric, it’s fine. You don’t have to come with. I’m still going because she’s my best friend and I want to be there for her. But we’re not a couple, so I understand that you might not want to go out with me in public. I know that we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend or anything, but I thought that we were at least becoming friends. I guess we still have a lot to discuss. But don’t worry – I’m sorry that I asked you. If it’s something you’re not comfortable with, then I would never force you to go.”
“What? No, Jasmine, that’s not it at all. I could never be ashamed of you. And yes, we are friends – if not more. I’m just being a nervous idiot. Like I said, I’m not good with people I don’t know. That’s all. Okay, you know what, let’s do it. I want to see this girl that is so close to you. I bet you I can find out all your secrets from her.”
Jasmine could tell that Eric was now trying too hard, but perhaps she should just give him the benefit of the doubt. It was never easy meeting new people. It was easy for her because she knew Allie and Marc. Eric had only just arrived in the area and was probably just a bit wary. She’d be the same.
She laughed. “No way. She’s been sworn to best friend secrecy.”
“Well, I know exactly how to break that,” he said with a confident voice.
“You do? How?”
“Wine.”
“Dammit! You’re good, Eric. You’re good.”
Jasmine put the phone down and stared at it for a while. She wasn’t quite sure what to think. On the one hand, Eric seemed very keen to be with her. But on the other, he still seemed very reserved about many things. Was he really just shy? Because he didn’t seem like the sort of guy who got shy about things. Quite the opposite, really. He seemed confident and sure of himself. But perhaps Jasmine was just being overly sensitive. Ever since the whole thing with Brendan, she’d been more wary of those around her. She’d give Eric a chance. So far, he was proving to be the total opposite of Brendan.
Chapter6
It was the night of the double date, and Eric wondered what on earth he was doing. He’d been living in his new area now for just over two weeks, and so far things had been going well. He’d slowly started fixing up his house, and while it was still quite empty, it was at least starting to feel more like home. He liked his new area, too – it wasn’t a small town like he’d been in before where everyone knew everyone’s business. That had been his number one mistake before. But it also wasn’t a thriving metropolitan city. It was a little bit in between. He felt safe and secure while still feeling anonymous. But two weeks was not enough time for him to truly feel safe. He knew that two weeks was nothing. If two months had gone by without issue, then he could officially start to relax more. But up until then, he needed to keep his guard up. And yet, despite all of this, he was sleeping with the girl next door and about to go out for dinner with her and her friends. That wasn’t exactly playing it safe. He made himself a promise that after this date, there would be no more. He’d still see Jasmine, but he’d keep it safe – just the two of them.
“You should’ve changed your name!” he said out loud to himself in the mirror.
It was something that he had considered doing a few times. A fresh start would be so much better with a whole new identity. But he hadn’t wanted to take it that far. He wanted to get out of the mess that he had gotten himself into by still remaining himself. He was Eric Storm, and he never wanted to be anyone else. What would his father have thought if he had changed his name? It would mean running away from his problems rather than standing up to fight them. But then again, wasn’t moving away to a new suburb the same as running away? He sighed and tried to brush the negative thoughts out of his mind. Maybe it was good that he had met Jasmine. Having such a beautiful distraction meant that he wasn’t going crazy with worry and fear. Now, he just had to think about her pretty face, and everything felt right in the world. Perhaps if he had met her when he was younger, he would never have gotten himself into this mess in the first place. She was the sort of girl you wanted to be good for.
He told Jasmine that he’d meet her at her front door at six forty-five. The table had been booked for seven, and they’d both decided that they would walk to the restaurant together. It was close enough not to take the car, and at least this way, they’d be able to drink without worrying about driving. Eric tried not to laugh when she had mentioned this idea to him – because he had never before worried about the conse
quences of drinking and driving. He found it incredibly sweet that something like this would concern her, and it made him realize what a good person she was. And what a not-so-good person he was. Why had drinking and driving never been an issue for him before? Being good came so naturally to Jasmine. And for the first time in his life, he found himself wanting to be more like her.
“Hey, gorgeous. Wow! You look beautiful, Jasmine,” he said as she opened the door. Jasmine was wearing a long, flowing, green dress. It was simple and summery, yet elegant at the same time. It made her look like one of the models from one of her magazines. She’d topped it off with a pair of silver thongs and a little silver necklace.
“Thank you. I thought I’d dress up for a change. This is me, dressing up.” She giggled as if she were wearing old and dowdy clothes.
He wondered what she saw when she looked in the mirror because it was certainly not what he saw when he looked at her. She could easily be a model, but he knew if he told her that she wouldn’t believe him.
“You look amazing.”
“Thanks, Eric. So do you,” she replied.
“No, I don’t. But thank you for the ego boost.” Eric was wearing his regular black jeans with a crisp white shirt and black and white sneakers. He had a black leather jacket in case it got cold, but he didn’t need it at the moment. He had considered dressing differently, but he wanted to feel comfortable that night.
“You actually really do. That look suits you. I’d hate for you to wear anything else. You know me, I’ll all about being comfortable. I’ve dressed up in outfits that didn’t feel right and spent the entire night wanting to be somewhere else. You really look handsome, Eric. Anyway, enough of the compliments. Let’s go eat, drink wine, and be merry,” she said, and the two of them started walking.
