I narrowed my eyes at him, not wanting reminders of Jazzy’s past hookups.
“Turns out you’re right, mate. She’s not the fall in love and raise a family type. At least, not with me … That’s why I’ve let her out of the deal. I’m going back home.”
God, I even sounded miserable to my own ear. I needed to pull my head out and get over it. The sooner I accepted this as my fate, the better off I’d be.
“Why?” Jed asked, taking a seat next to me. “If she’s cool with the arrangement, and you both agreed, why go back on it? What changed?”
“Me, I’ve changed,” I told him honestly. “I can’t go on pretending, when my feelings for her are anything but false. I’m in love with her, man, and I can’t keep on pretending, knowing she doesn’t feel the same way.”
“Maybe she’ll come around,” Jed said thoughtfully. “You know how stubborn Jazzy is, maybe once she gets to know you better, sees what a great guy you are, she’ll return your feelings. Give it a little time.”
I shook my head.
“I tried, Jed, I really did. I honestly thought I could do this and be okay, then we went to camp, and well, things there got a little too real. Now that I’ve had a taste of what it can be like, I can’t go back to the way they were.”
“Do you really have to go back? Maybe you could stay married in name only … live separately.”
“Immigration would never buy it, and Jasmine doesn’t want her family to know it was all a lie. No, this way is for the best. Jasmine gets to keep her house, and save face in Cherry Springs.”
“And, what? You go back to Australia and you’re the fall guy here? Like it’s all your fault? That’s not fair,” Jed argued, his face getting angry.
Damn, I’m going to miss him.
“Hey, don’t be mad at Jazzy, all right? It’s not her fault I fell in love and changed the script.”
He grunted in response.
“I’m going to miss you, mate,” I said, my voice breaking with emotion.
“Fuck, man … I’m gonna miss you, too.”
Jasmine
I was an absolute basket case.
I hadn’t gone to work, I’d slept intermittently, and I’d tried to call Shane a hundred times.
I didn’t know where he was and he wouldn’t answer me.
I totally messed everything up.
I was so in my head with worry, about ready to say, hell with it, and call everyone I knew in Cherry Springs to see if they knew where Shane was. What did it matter if everyone learned the truth, as long as I found him?
My front door opened and I went running into the living room, heart pounding as I prayed I’d turn the corner and see Shane.
Instead, it was Dillon.
“What the hell happened to you?” he asked, taking in my unbrushed hair, ratty clothes, and wild eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, not wanting to deal with him right then. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“Shane asked me to come by for Daisy and Loki since you guys have that appointment in the city,” he replied, eyes alert on me. “You don’t look ready.”
“The immigration appointment!” I cried, spinning around and running to my bedroom.
“Once Laurel heard I was watching them, she begged me to bring them to the house. You know I’m going to end up having to buy a fucking goat now, thanks to your crazy husband,” Dillon said as he followed behind me. “Seriously, Jazz, what’s up?”
“Shane left the other day,” I replied, pulling clean clothes out of my drawers and hurrying into my bathroom.
“What do you mean, he left?” Dillon asked from the other side of the door.
“We had a fight … some things were said and I hurt his feelings. But don’t worry, I’m going to make it right.”
I got changed, splashed water on my face, and pulled my hair back in a messy bun.
“Jasmine, I know why you guys got married.”
I pulled open the door and narrowed my eyes at my twin. “You do?”
“Uh, yeah, what do you take me for? I knew that night at Mom and Dad’s.”
“You did?” I repeated like an idiot.
I really thought we’d had everyone fooled. Well … except Rear.
“How long have I known you?” he asked sarcastically. “I could tell that night that you were lying, that you didn’t love him. But, at camp it seemed like that all changed. You were into him, and I thought maybe what had started out as a business transaction had turned into something real.”
“It did,” I admitted, my voice catching. “But I screwed it all up.”
“How?”
“By being me, Dillon. Hard-headed, commitment phobe, untrusting … you know how I am. I got so tired of everyone using me to get what they wanted, that I became completely walled up. I never let anyone get close enough to hurt me, and I vowed it wouldn’t be any different with Shane.”
“Yeah, but, Jazz, it’s obvious the guy loves you. He’s always had you in his sights, did you really think he wouldn’t fall hard, once you actually gave him an in? You’re more perceptive than that,” Dillon chided.
“Sure, I knew he wanted in my pants, but I thought he was a player. A ladies man. Always ready to charm someone into his bed.”
“Shane’s not like that,” he argued.
“Well, how was I supposed to know. He was always flirting and chatting up women, just like you, Ass, and Gabe did my whole life; how was I to know he wasn’t following through with it?”
“Maybe by realizing he never went home with anyone, never brought a woman to any of our barbecues or parties. Shane was always flying solo, and his eyes were always on you.”
“God, I’m such an idiot. How did everyone see this but me?”
“’Cause you’re cautious, and you look at guys with blinders on. Look, Jazz, that first night I found out what you’d done, I was pissed. I called Reardon and he said he’d talk some sense into you two. When you still showed up at camp, I figured he didn’t get through, but then I saw how you were together, and it clicked … You guys fit.”
“You think so?” I couldn’t help but ask. My brother’s opinion had always been the most important to me.
“I know so,” he said his hands on my shoulders. “You’re my sister, so obviously no guy is ever good enough to touch you, but … Shane’s the best man I could have ever hoped for you. He looks at you like you’re his dream come true, and it’s exactly what you deserve.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, leaning in to give him a hug.
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to go to the immigration appointment and talk some sense into Shane. We’ll attend the meeting, answer the questions, and I’m bringing him back home with me, where he belongs.”
“What if he doesn’t want to listen?” Dillon asked, his tone all business.
He was prepping me just like he did before we went into a big meeting.
“He has to listen, because I’ll make him and I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll tell him the truth and throw myself at his feet if I have to. There’s no way he’ll be able to deny me.”
Dillon walked me to the door. “What is your endgame, Jasmine?”
“I’m going to get my husband back,” I replied with a confident smile.
But first, I have to make a pit stop.
Shane
I was in the waiting room, eager to be called back so I could tell our agent this interview was unnecessary.
I sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair, my leg bouncing as I stared at the TV up in the corner of the room. There weren’t too many people in the room, which made the fact I’d been waiting over thirty minutes seem unreasonable.
I blew out an annoyed breath and was about to get up and stalk over to the reception desk when a movement at the corner of my eye caught my attention.
Jasmine.
She looked frantic. Her hair was back in a bun, her face devoid of makeup, and I was pretty sure her socks didn’
t match.
I’d never seen her look so un-put-together out in public before.
She looks beautiful.
My heart leapt at the sight of her, and I told it to calm down as her gaze landed on me.
Her face brightened and she hurried toward me.
“Shane, thank God, have they not called us back yet?” Jasmine asked, dropping into the seat beside me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked her, my tone harsher than intended.
But, Jesus, how much more could one man take?
“I tried calling, and I stopped by the bar…”
Yeah, I’d been avoiding her.
“I think we said everything there is to be said,” I replied softly.
Jazzy shook her head. “No, we didn’t. I have something I need to say, and I need you to listen.”
A throat clearing had me tearing my eyes from Jasmine and finding a man in a suit standing before us, watching curiously.
“Shane? Jasmine?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
“I’m Office Reyes, please come with me.”
He turned and started walking, so we had no choice but to jump to our feet and follow.
“I’m going to tell him we’re getting an annulment,” I whispered to Jasmine, not wanting Reyes to hear any more than he probably already had.
“No, we’re not,” she hissed back.
I stopped walking and turned to her. “What are you talking about?”
“Shane, I was an idiot, please forgive me,” she pleaded. “I know I’m stubborn, and scared, and can be a real pain in the ass, but … I love you, and I want you to stay here with me. Please. Come back home, move into the master bedroom, and help me make our house into a place we can raise a family. Don’t go to Australia.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, afraid to believe what she was saying.
“Yes, completely,” Jasmine replied, then pulled a small box out of her purse.
She opened it to reveal a wedding band inside.
“Say you’ll stay married to me.”
I searched her face for signs of doubt and found none, and I finally felt like I could breathe again.
“You’re going to make an honest man out of me?” I asked, holding out my hand so she could slip the ring on my finger.
“Yes,” Jazzy replied, her eyes filling as she did, keeping my hand in hers as she lifted up to give me a kiss.
A throat cleared again and we both turned to look at Reyes.
“If you please…”
He turned again and this time we followed, hand in hand.
We walked into a nondescript office, with no decorations to speak of, and nothing but a file on the table.
“Please, have a seat,” Reyes said, gesturing to the two chairs on one side of the table, while he walked around to the single chair on the other side.
Once we were both sitting, he opened the file.
“Let’s get started, shall we?”
We both nodded.
“Where did you meet?”
“Actually, we met years ago when I was in uni with her cousin, Gabe.”
“Did you go on a honeymoon?”
“Yes,” Jazzy said, her hand reaching for mine. “At Camp Gabriel Lewis.”
“Does your husband read or watch TV before bed?”
“He watches TV sometimes, but he usually writes songs in his notebook.”
I looked at her, my lips parting in surprise.
“How many brothers or sisters does your spouse have?”
“One, a twin brother.”
“None,” Jazzy answered.
“What does your wife do when she’s upset?”
“Eat chocolate.”
Jasmine let out a muffled laugh.
I turned to see her holding her hand over her mouth, eyes dancing.
“Do you have any pets?”
“A goat and a beagle.”
Reyes looked up for a minute at that, then turned his attention back to the paper in front of him.
“How will you spend holidays?”
“She’s got this big family, and they all live in Cherry Springs, so we’ll be with them.”
“Where do you keep the spare toilet paper?”
“Is that really a pertinent question?” I asked with a frown.
Reyes shot me a look.
“Just asking…”
“The linen closet,” Jazzy said, squeezing my hand, to basically tell me to shut up.
“What size is your bed?”
“King,” I answered.
“Who is your spouse’s employer?”
“Lewis Sporting Goods.”
“Did you have a wedding reception?”
“Yes, my family threw one for us in my cousin’s barn. It was absolutely beautiful.”
“How many windows are in your bedroom?”
“That’s random,” I observed, and got another hand squeeze. “Two.”
“When did you realize you loved your spouse?”
Reyes’ eyes were on us, looking between us while he waited for an answer.
“I knew I wanted her back in uni, but I realized I loved her when I started looking forward to her coming into the bar for dinner at night, and when the sight of her talking to another man made me feel sick to my stomach.”
Reyes shifted his gaze to Jasmine.
“Same question.”
I looked down at Jasmine, and she looked up at me, her face so open and full of love that I wished we were anywhere but in this room.
“When I saw how he listened, how he heard me. When I realized he’d do anything for me … When he beat us all on family game day and came back to finish it again by my side. When he bought me Daisy.” Her eyes were soft, her voice so sweet. “When I read the songs he wrote.”
I grinned at her and couldn’t stop myself from dropping a quick kiss on her nose.
“Is that all?” Reyes asked dryly.
“For now,” Jazzy replied. “But I know there’s much more to come.”
Epilogue - Jasmine
“Can you open the door for me?” I asked Laurel as I moved through the kitchen with a platter of pigs in a blanket.
I moved across the back deck and down the stairs toward the large tent we had set up in our backyard.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Dillon said, taking one of the “pigs” as I passed.
“Hey, those are for the kids.”
“I’m a kid at heart,” he shot back with a grin.
“Ain’t that the truth.”
I put the platter down on the buffet table, surveying the length of it to see if anything was missing.
“Strawberry shortcake,” I muttered, turning to go back inside and grab it out of the fridge.
“Everything looks wonderful, Jasmine.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, giving her a quick hug.
“How’s Dad doing with Marcy?” I asked, and we both shifted to look at my father, who had my baby girl cradled against him.
“She’s already got him wrapped around her little finger,” Mom said with a soft smile.
“Oh, she’s got everyone’s number,” I joked, even though it was completely true.
On my way inside, I paused and walked to Gabe and Reardon, who were sitting at the table closest to the swing set and slide combo Shane had recently put in.
They were watching the older kids, who were all laughing and having a good time.
“What are they playing?” I asked my cousins.
Gabe looked up at me and said, “We taught them how to play, stay off the lava. Evie’s a pro.”
Evie was his oldest daughter, who was playing with her brother Ren; Reardon’s kids Benny, Han, and Rey; and my niece, Rose. Christopher, Gabe and Chloe’s son, had recently left for college.
“Oh, I used to love that game. I always kicked your asses.”
“You wish,” Reardon butted in. “Where’s Shane, I haven’t seen the guest of honor yet.”
“He’s inside changing Mi
ckey,” I replied, referring to our son.
Our twins, Marcy and Mickey, had just turned six months old.
I left them watching the kids and jogged up the stairs.
I opened the door to my kitchen to see Zoey pouring sangria into glasses and handing them to Laurel and Chloe.
“None for you,” Zoey said to Serena, then turned to me and asked, “You want one, Jazzy?”
“You bet,” I said, rubbing my hand on Rena’s back in support.
She and Jed had gotten married just over a year ago, and were pregnant with her first child.
Having recently been pregnant myself, I could sympathize with her condition, but was very happy to be having my first adult beverage in fifteen months.
“Mmmm, that’s so good,” I told Zoey, who flushed happily.
She was always our resident bartender, even though she now had sixteen bestselling books and two movie franchises. She loved to look up new recipes and try them out on us, and she and Shane had even come up with some of their own, original recipes.
They were nuts.
Drink in hand, I meandered into the room downstairs that used to be my office, but was now the nursery. We’d decided it was best to keep the twins on the same floor as us for now, and would move them into their own rooms upstairs once they were older.
We were using the same cribs my parents had used for Dillon and me, and Jed had made us a changing table and dressers to match and have that same rustic look. The room was decorated with woodland animals, and made me smile every time I came inside.
I stopped in the doorway, smiling as I watched my husband standing in the middle of the room, swaying with our son as he spoke softly to him.
“Hey,” I called, causing him to turn, so their matching set of blue eyes landed on me. “We have a party going on, your party. People are wondering where you are.”
We were celebrating Shane’s dual citizenship, which had taken him just under five years to get approved.
“He was wet, but we’re on our way,” Shane said easily, as he walked toward me.
“Mmmm-hmmm,” I muttered, tilting my face up in invitation for a kiss.
Too Dangerous: The Lewis Cousins, Book 5 Page 14
