Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
“How does this look? Too tight?”
With her back to the floor-length mirror in Maxwell’s closet, Jasmine examined her butt in cream slacks.
Maxwell walked over, giving her appearance a critical review. “Hmm. Turn around, let me see.”
She faced the mirror so he had a full view of her behind.
“Looks good to me.”
Jasmine sighed. “I can’t trust you. You’ll have me walking around looking like a hoochie.”
Maxwell cupped each of her butt cheeks. “Look at the material, though.” He squeezed.
Laughing, Jasmine faced him. “I’m serious.”
“Me too. Come on, you look perfect, and we need to go. I don’t want to be late getting to your sister’s.”
“All right, fine.” Jasmine took his hand.
Her playfulness was hiding her anxiety. She didn’t usually introduce her boyfriends to her siblings in such a formal way, especially not Maura, who was extremely protective.
Which was why Jasmine was so nervous. She wanted Maura and Brick to like Maxwell.
No, to love him, even a fraction of how much she did.
If so, she knew everything would be fine, and she had finally made a good choice when it came to her relationship.
“You seem really at ease,” Jasmine said as they rode the elevator.
She continued to hold onto his hand. In his other hand was a bottle of his family’s tequila. Though she’d told him he didn’t need to take anything to dinner, he had insisted on bringing it as a gift and had tied a red bow around the bottle’s neck.
“What’s there to be nervous about?” He smelled divine and looked even better with his glossy, thick hair combed to perfection and his outfit of slacks and a pullover completing his comfortable, confident appearance.
“You aren’t a little bit nervous?” Jasmine asked.
“Nah. Your sister is going to love me. I’ve never met a woman...” He caught himself and let the sentence trail off.
Jasmine sidestepped away and raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“I’d rather not.”
The elevator doors opened, and Maxwell dragged her out.
When they arrived at her sister’s, Maura swung the door wide, wearing a big smile. “Welcome!” she said cheerily.
They walked into the house, and Jasmine made the introductions to her and Brick, who was named appropriately. He was a big, muscular man with beefy arms and a bald head. Her niece and nephew were at their other sister—Gina’s—house, so there were only adults at the dinner.
“I brought tequila,” Maxwell said, holding up the bottle.
“Don Bene? Damn, you brought the good stuff. I know that cost a grip,” Brick said.
“Didn’t cost me anything. My family makes it.”
Maura’s mouth fell open. “Your family makes Don Bene Tequila?”
“Yes. Any time you want a bottle, let me know.”
A look passed between Brick and Maura before Brick drew Maxwell into the living room.
“Maxwell has no idea what he just promised. He’s gonna be sick of my husband,” Maura said under her breath as she pulled Jasmine into the kitchen. “I have bad news. Brick and I did a little research this week, and he found out Maxwell’s brother-in-law is The Flash.”
Jasmine stared at her sister, confused. “I have no idea what that means. Are you talking about the superhero?”
“No. The Flash was a popular baseball player. His real name is Damon Foster. They called him The Flash because he was so fast. Brick followed him from when he played for The Twins, and then he became an Atlanta Brave and retired here. Which means Brick already has a soft spot for Maxwell.” Maura shrugged as she struggled to uncork the wine.
“You have got to be kidding me. He chose sports over my well-being? Dammit, Brick.” Jasmine took the bottle from her sister.
Maura started cutting up the roasted chicken they were having for dinner. Her sister made the best lemon and rosemary chicken, so she was looking forward to the meal.
“What do you expect?” her sister asked. “His father named him Brick, for God’s sake. He had no choice but to be a sports fan. Anyway, he wanted me to find out if Maxwell could get him an autograph, but I’m pretty sure he’ll ask him while they’re talking in there.”
Jasmine popped the cork on the wine. “Wonderful. Can I at least count on you to give an objective assessment of my new man?”
“Of course.”
Maura finished plating the food, which included garlic mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and a salad to go with the chicken. For dessert, she had purchased a cheesecake from her favorite bakery.
They called the men into the kitchen, and the four of them carried the dishes into the dining room.
As Jasmine reviewed the lovely setting, she realized she had not only been concerned about her sister and Brick giving a passing grade to Maxwell.
She also wanted them to make a good impression on him, and Maura had set an impressive table, putting out her best plates, silverware, and crystal goblets for the wine and water, which Jasmine appreciated.
She and Maxwell sat next to each other, and Maura and Brick sat across the table from them. Though initially worried about the evening, Jasmine relaxed as conversation flowed easily between them.
They talked about their professions, and Maura shared a typical day in cardiology.
Brick, who practiced criminal law, shared funny stories about some of his clients.
Jasmine used the opportunity to brag on Maxwell, pointing out how he’d figured out that one of their young patients had lead poisoning, which had been confirmed the day before by an independent lab.
When Maura mentioned wanting to take a trip to Mexico since she hadn’t been to the country in years, Maxwell recommended visiting Mexico City if she had time.
“Have you ever been?” he asked.
“No,” Maura admitted.
“You can’t beat the food, and the people are very friendly considering it’s one of the largest cities in the world.
Lots of museums and historical sites. I have a cousin who does walking tours of the city and knows every nook and cranny and off-the-beaten-path location.
Let me know when you’re going, and I’ll get you in touch with her.
She’ll make sure you have a great time.”
Maura’s eyes brightened. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
They also took time to make fun of Jasmine, listing their complaints.
“Oh, and all the pillows on her bed,” Maxwell said.
“Yes, the pillows!” Maura exclaimed, a little too enthusiastically.
“That’s why I never sleep at her place. We’re always at mine.”
She shot him a look. “Keep talking like that and we won’t be sleeping at your place, either.”
“Sorry, babe.” He flung his arm around her and kissed her cheek.
Jasmine caught her sister’s look of approval as warmth seeped into her veins.
They continued talking long after the glasses were empty, the dinner plates cleared, and the dessert plates only held crumbs.
Jasmine was disappointed when she noted the time and realized they’d have to leave soon.
She’d had such a fabulous time and gleaned new information during the course of the evening.
She had paid special attention when Maxwell talked about his parents, pointing out that ever since his brother had taken over Santana International—his father’s company—his parents spent a lot more time together because his father made time.
They read books together. They traveled.
He hadn’t seen them this close in years, and they seemed to truly enjoy each other’s company.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Maura said.
Nodding, Brick slipped his arm across the back of her chair. “A lot of people don’t understand what spending the rest of your life with someone means. A successful, happy marriage means being with someone that you not only love, you like them too. You want to spend time with them.”
Maura cast an affectionate glance at her husband, and he squeezed her shoulder. The evening ended shortly thereafter, with Maura and Brick walking them out to the car, the men ahead of the women.
“Well, what’s the verdict?” Jasmine whispered.
“I like him,” Maura replied in a low voice. “He’s funny and charming and considering his upbringing, really down to earth. It doesn’t hurt that he bribed us with some damn good tequila. You could do worse.”
They hung back to talk privately, while the men chatted beside the car.
“I know. He’s pretty amazing, isn’t he?”
“He is, and if things don’t work out between the two of you, I’m pretty sure he has a shot with Brick. I can’t believe how many times he mentioned The Flash tonight. When I get my husband alone, I’m giving him a piece of my mind.”
Jasmine snickered. “Cut him some slack. It’s not every day he gets to meet the brother-in-law of one of his sports heroes.”
Maura pursed her lips and grunted. “Do you think Maxwell will come through with the autograph?”
“He will.”
“Thanks.”
Jasmine hugged her sister. “Thank you. Dinner was delicious, and we had fun.”
“I enjoyed myself too. And he really does seem like a good guy. Great first impression, at least. If he turns out to be an asshole, no one will be more shocked than me.”
“I hope he doesn’t,” Jasmine said, her eyes on Maxwell’s profile.
“You love him, don’t you?”
Jasmine looked at her sister. “Yeah,” she said in a thick voice. “We exchanged keys a couple of nights ago. He has a key to my place, and I have a key to his.”
Her sister raised her eyebrows. “Sounds pretty serious. Don’t hold back. Enjoy the relationship. I think you found a good one this time.”
That’s all she had needed to hear. Confirmation that she’d made a good choice with Maxwell. Jasmine released a relaxing breath through her lips. “I think so too.”
They walked over to the men. “Maxwell, it was nice to meet you. Take care of my baby.” Maura gave Jasmine a side hug.
“I will.”
More hugs were exchanged, and then Jasmine and Maxwell climbed into the Range Rover. She waved to her sister and brother-in-law as they drove away.
“Well, how did I do?” Maxwell asked.
“On a scale of one to ten, I’d say you received a solid ten.”
He whistled. “Nice.”
“If you deliver on the autograph, you’ll easily earn an extra three points.”
“I’m all about the extra credit. I’m calling Damon tomorrow. Brick will have the autograph by Sunday.” He took her hand and glanced briefly at her. “I had a great time.”
“Me too. Thanks for being willing to do that. I’ve... never formally brought a man to meet anyone in my family. Informally, yes, but nothing like this.”
“Never?” Maxwell asked, sounding surprised.
“No.”
He glanced at her again. The surprise was gone, replaced by appreciation. “I love you. And I really, really like you.”
“I really, really like you too,” Jasmine said softly.
Maxwell brought her hand to his lips, and they continued the rest of the ride in comfortable silence.