Chapter 32
KAI
As we approached Jasmine’s car, I squeezed her hand. “I’ll leave the Jeep here and go with you?”
Relief washed over her face. “Yes, please. You drive.” She pulled the keys out and passed them to me.
Jess nudged Jasmine’s shoulder with hers, joking about being the third wheel, even offering to be dropped at a bar so we could have alone time.
The contrast made me glance over at her—she was bubbling energy and newly-engaged glow, and it struck me how different that was from the shadows we’d just left behind at the tiki.
For a second, the two worlds felt like they didn’t quite fit together.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I said, steady but firm, before Jasmine could answer. “You’ve got an early flight, and the couch at the bungalow’s yours. We’re not sending you off on your own at this hour—especially not in that dress.”
She arched a brow, glanced down at her sundress, then back at me with a wry smile. “That’s sweet, but I really could use a drink.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Then you’re in luck. I happen to know there’s a great bottle of pinot noir waiting back at the bungalow—because I bought it.”
Jess laughed and let it go, climbing into the back seat. Jasmine gave me a look that made my chest feel full, like she was trying not to swoon. She actually wobbled on her feet a little when she got into the car, catching herself on the door.
We pulled onto the highway. For a while, the only sound was the tires humming against the asphalt. Then Jess leaned forward between the seats. I could see her eyes sparking in the rearview mirror.
“So what’s it like, having a twin?”
“Never dull,” I said with a low chuckle. “Reef and I kept each other on our toes. But I grew up with four brothers—one just happened to be the exact same age. Not much difference, really.”
“Except looking exactly alike?” she giggled. “I noticed you all look a lot alike though.”
“Yeah, just like our dad. Ava looks like Mom.”
Jess smiled as she pressed. “But with an identical twin, did people confuse you two all the time growing up?”
“They still do,” I said, cutting a quick sideways glance at Jasmine.
She drew in a sharp breath, shifting in her seat. The reminder of that secret hovered, prickling the air.
Jess grinned, oblivious. “Did you ever play tricks? Like pretending to be your brother to get out of trouble?”
“Not intentionally.” I shot Jasmine another look, enjoying the way she squirmed. “We were usually making the trouble together.”
That did it. Jasmine blurted, “She knows. About Reef.”
My hands tightened on the wheel, and I flicked a glance at her. Jess froze, staring between us.
“Oh my god,” she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “You told him? Thank god.”
Jasmine groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Yes. So we don’t have to talk about it now.”
Jess laughed in sheer relief, the sound bubbling up until I couldn’t help it—I started chuckling too. Even Jasmine peeked at me from behind her fingers, her own helpless smile tugging free.
“Ah,” I said at last, the sound low. “So you know.” It felt weird for a second. How could it not? But then it hit me: it was always going to feel weird if I let it. And the truth was, it didn’t matter. Not anymore.
Jess exhaled hard, shaking her head. “Well, I’m glad you were such a man about it. Says a lot about your character.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Don’t give me too much credit. I wasn’t nearly as kind to Reef. I called him, on the way to the marina earlier. Figured it was overdue.”
Jasmine’s head snapped toward me, worry flickering in her eyes. “Is everything okay between you guys?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged, kept my eyes on the road. “We’ll be fine. I’m the winner here. I got the girl.”
Her lips parted, eyes wide, and I swear I could feel the way that hit her—the way it hit me. The rest of the drive passed in quiet, the kind that didn’t need filling.
Back at the bungalow, Jasmine fussed with sheets and blankets for the couch while Jess sank into it with a sigh. I uncorked the bottle of pinot noir and poured three glasses.
“Finally,” Jasmine said, exhaling as she spread the sheets. “We can relax.”
Jess took a glass, eyeing us both. “So,” she asked, “are you going to tell me what that was all about? The cops and all…”
Jasmine’s hand stilled. She looked at me, and for a second neither of us spoke. Then she exhaled. “It’s a long story.”
And we told it. Between the two of us, we walked Jess through the whole nightmare—the threats, the silent terror, being held hostage, the dirty DEA agent finally exposed.
Jess sat there wide-eyed, her wine untouched, shaking her head like she couldn’t quite process it all.
At one point she whispered, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” clutching her glass tighter, knuckles white, though she never lifted it to her lips.
When we finally finished, she blew out a breath. “I can’t believe you’ve been going through all of that. It must’ve been awful. I’m just so glad you’re both okay.”
I covered Jasmine’s hand with mine. “So are we.”
Jasmine gave a little laugh. “Well… it certainly was an eventful first date.”
That cracked a smile out of me. “Yeah. As horrible as it was, the bonus was it kind of threw us together. Got to know each other fast. And let me tell you—she’s amazing.”
Jasmine’s head whipped toward me, eyes wide, but I pressed on. “Strong. Smart. Creative. Beautiful, obviously. She kept her head when I was sure we were finished, made me laugh when I didn’t think I ever would again. And bringing Faith in? That took guts. It’s what cracked this whole thing open.”
Her lips parted, eyes shining like she couldn’t believe I was saying this out loud. Inside, I could see her wobble—the pride fighting with disbelief, the way she looked almost overwhelmed by being seen so clearly. And God, I loved her for it.
“It felt like the worst luck when it started,” I admitted, voice rough. “But now? Feels like I won the lotto.”
Jess smiled, tipping her glass toward Jasmine. “You’re right. You did win big with her. Better not forget it.”
Then she stretched, yawning. “I better turn in and try to get a few hours of sleep. I’ll try not to wake you when I leave at five a.m.” She paused in the doorway, a sly grin on her lips. “And by the way… I’m a very deep sleeper.”
Jasmine giggled, cheeks flushing pink, and said, “Good to know.”