“Jazz.” She rubs my arm bringing me back to our conversation.
“I’m sorry Miss Rho—Momma. My thoughts got the best of me.” I correct myself forcing myself to return her smile. And I notice the worry etched on her beautiful face.
“Jazz baby, I make it a point to not meddle in my children’s affairs. And you are now my fourth baby.” She smiles and her words warm my heart. “I’ll tell you this and leave the rest to Asher.”
I nod, adjusting to lean closer.
“My husband, his father, groomed Asher to be a little man before his time. I didn’t like it. His infamous retort was ‘It takes a man to raise a man.’ But my husband toured nearly nonstop through his death. So, Asher saw very little of us as husband and wife day to day. It was the three of us. He, Yuki, and I. And somewhere along the way my little boy became the man of the house.”
That is what I’ve admired the most about Asher. He loves them. He doesn’t bark at a single request. And it’s one of the reasons I feel so safe with him.
She glances down at her lap. “I’m not proud of that. It’s not how I wanted my son to grow up. But what’s done is done. As a result, I know he will provide for you. He will love you. He will protect you.”
But will he give me his heart, fully? The voice in my head could have been a blimp hanging over Rhonda’s head because it voiced the ache, the angst, the unsettled feeling hovering over my life like a dark cloud.
And I know that Rhonda can read it loud and clear as her probing eyes lock with mine.
“What do I do Momma?” I probe back.
Her head shakes in a slow, noncommittal fashion. “Love him. I have never seen this Asher in my life. He’s smiling, softening his harsh edges, and it’s your love that’s revealing the man beneath his armor.”
“Any advice?” I ask thinking of the trip I’m planning.
“Have you heard that saying about attracting more bees with honey than vinegar?” She chuckles.
“Yes.”
“Well, that is our Asher. He is unpredictable when forced to do anything. He will do the opposite of what you want just to prove a point.” She shakes her head. “I remember he had to be about eight years old. He was still adjusting to Yuki moving in. The two got into an argument as kids do. And I tried to force him to apologize. We all were struggling to find a sense of balance, and the constant fighting only made it worse. But that little boy refused. I grounded him for what seemed like forever.” She says the last part more to herself than me. “Asher did not budge. He refused to speak to either of us. Eventually, we declared a truce. I think he would have held out through graduation had I kept trying to push him.” She laughs.
My heart drops the more she laughs. I swallow, toss a fake laugh of my own in while keeping my eyes on her. Did he tell her?
“Oh goodness look at the time.” Rhonda stands. “Excuse me, baby.”
I nod, and she heads to the back of the house. I’m not proud of my behavior. The line between sanity and insanity is fine when it comes to us. And we know it. It’s polarizing and magnetic. It makes us like fire in bed and cool as ice when we disagree. It made accepting his proposal as natural as breathing because he’s like an open book until we began living in the same house. He’s still an open book, not withholding anything, but it’s more like those old school invisible color sheets, I need a special marker to discover the contents of his pages.
The chime of my phone tells me the caller.
“Hey, babe!”
“Hey yourself.” His voice pulls me back into our cocoon. “Are you still with Momma?”
“Yes, we’re at the house. What time is it?” I pull the phone from my ear. It’s almost four o’clock. “Wow, we’ve talked for hours.”
“You sat on the couch, didn’t you?” The humor in his voice breaks the cloud hovering over my mood.
“Shut up!” And we laugh until I’m crying for all the right reasons. “What is it about this couch? Your momma got some special powers or something.”
“I told you. Stand at the door if you don’t want to sit in her confessional.” Our laughter dies down. “Are you better after talking with her?”
“A little.” I reach for a Kleenex and dab my eyes.
“Babe, we’ll be alright. Give it time.”
I nod. Asher can’t see it. But I’m done—I’m all talked out.
“What’s this good news you have?”
“I’m not saying over the phone. I’m waiting for you at the spot with Dylan. And hurry. I’m about to text Yuki too.”
“Let me check with Momma. I think she has an appointment. And then I’m on my way.”
“Love you, My Lady.”
“Love you too.” I disconnect and stare at the phone. Give it time. The spot is a grill we frequent weekly for one reason or another. The four of us, Asher, Dylan, Yuki and I have made it our honorary meeting spot—temporarily until Smith & Jameson opens. It has good food and decent beer. I stand and walk to the back of the house calling for Momma. She steps out of her bedroom. “Where are you going?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She winks before sliding into the bathroom and starts freshening up her makeup. “ I have a charity event tonight. Sorry about lunch. I owe you.”
“You look gorgeous. You might catch you someone tonight Momma.”
“Chile’, please. I’m past the catching days. I wouldn’t know what to do with it if I caught it.”
“Yeah right. I have a feeling you’d figure it out.” I laugh at the mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Rhonda is younger than my parents, and I don’t have the full story on her deceased husband. But she seems much too young and vibrant to not have a special someone in her life.
“Mind if I ask you a personal question?” I lean against the doorway as she applies highlighter to her perfect cheekbones.
“Sure baby.”
“One day, will you tell me more about your husband?” She freezes. Our eyes lock in the reflection of the mirror.
“One day. After, you hear more from Asher.” She places the brush in the makeup bag, and for the first time, I see a hint of sadness in her eyes. “My husband casts a big shadow over this family. And truthfully it probably affects you more than it does the rest of us.”
“How so?”
“Ask Asher. Then you, Yuki and I will have a girl’s night, and I’ll fill in all the gaps.” She kisses my cheek. Then applies a coat of lip gloss on her full lips. “How do I look?”
“Stunning.” And she does. The royal purple dress clings to her curvy figure. She has a body women pay top dollar for. She could pass for a woman in her late thirties.
“I’ll take it.” She giggles.
We laugh our way out of the house and down the driveway. I feel better after talking with her. I wave and head towards the grill to meet Asher and the gang. I’m ready to see my man. Then my phone rings. Not this again.
I roll my eyes and push the connect button.
“Jasmine Harrison.” His booming voice fills my car. But hearing his voice pours salt on an open wound with a splash of lemon juice.
They hired him. I trained him. But he let them ambush me then he took my job.
“It’s Jasmine Smith,” I correct him.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Wesley. Let’s skip the small talk.” Jasmine, the executive, is bubbling to the surface. I’ve missed you, girl!
“How would you like your job back at SOS?”
“I’m listening.”
Did you enjoy As You Wish? If so, will you join my newsletter? You have two main options:
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For more information visit http://www.janesedixon.com.
Dear Reader….
I stumbled on a video on YouTube and
it kept me glued to my computer screen. A couple, an African American woman and Korean man, shared their hardships stemming from his family’s disapproval of his chosen bride. And a seed was planted. What if, you had a child, a product of such a relationship?
That give me my first brush with a character I’d later name Yuki Smith. Then came her brother Asher, and finally their mother, Rhonda Smith.
I hope you enjoyed the Smith family and look forward to this short series.
Happy Reading,
Ja’Nese Dixon
www.janesedixon.com
Also by Ja’Nese Dixon
Forbidden Chords Series (Contemporary Romance)
Rockstar Secrets (Book 1)
Rockstar Sinners (Book 2) [ALERT]
Precious Stones Series (Romantic Suspense)
Before Black Diamond (Prequel)
Black Diamond (Book 1)
African Emerald (Book 2)
Fire Opal (Book 3) [ALERT]
Ready for Love Series (Sweet Romance)
Caramel Surprise (Book 1)
Love’s Hope (Book 2)
Hidden Desire (Book 3)
Ready for Love Boxed Set (Books 1 - 3)
Smith Pact Duo (Contemporary Romance)
Yuki’s Luck (Book 1)
Tempting Asher (Book 2)
Smith Surprise (Book 3)
About the Author
Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in several sub-genres. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
Ja’Nese is an avid reader and coffee drinker, who also loves to run, cook, and craft. Her ultimate goal as a writer is to give you a little “staycation” with every story. And she aims to make this present story no exception. Sit back, grab a snack and enjoy.
Ja’Nese calls Houston home with her husband, three kiddos and a four-legged diva dog.
Visit her website at www.janesedixon.com if you enjoy romance, suspense and good stories.
Subscribe to Ja’Nese Newsletter “Reader’s Staycation” for reader exclusives, regular giveaways and more.
Stay in Touch:
www.janesedixon.com
[email protected]
Smith Surprise (Smith Pact Duo Book 3) Page 7
