Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
“Dr. Santana, do you have a minute?” Renee stood in the doorway of Maxwell’s office. He had just hung up his white coat, getting ready to leave for the day.
“Sure. What can I help you with?”
“I’m in the community room working on a project for one of the local schools. I was wondering if you could take a look at it and give me your honest opinion.”
“Of course. Which school?”
“Um... Gwinnett Elementary.”
Maxwell wasn’t aware that they were partnering with the school, and he was surprised Renee was doing an event, considering she didn’t like public speaking. However, he was glad to see that she was doing something out of her comfort zone and would gladly help in any way he could.
He followed her to the other side of the building where the community room was located.
“Oh, I forgot to grab something from the supply closet. Go ahead. You’ll see the poster boards I created on the table.”
As she walked away, Maxwell opened the door.
“Surprise!”
Shocked, he took a step back. The rest of the staff was in the room. Even Dr. Park was there on her off day, and they all wore party hats.
Jasmine danced over and put one on his head. “I told everyone that we were celebrating your thirtieth birthday with your family tomorrow, and they wanted to do something for you here at the office.”
Renee slipped into the room.
“A project for the local school, huh?” Maxwell said.
She shrugged, grinning, and put on a hat.
Maxwell was speechless. His actual birthday was tomorrow, when he would be celebrating with family and friends at his parents’ home. Having the office put together a special celebration for him was completely unexpected.
On the wall, someone had strung the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY in bold colors. Red, gold, and blue helium-filled balloons were taped to a table filled with drinks and unhealthy snacks.
“Wow.” He looked around the room at each smiling face. “You all did this for me?”
“We couldn’t let you hit the big three-oh without commemorating it,” Dr. Park said.
Shaking his head, Maxwell continued smiling so hard, his cheeks hurt. “This means a lot. I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just eat cake,” Renee quipped.
“Now that I can do,” Maxwell replied, earning a round of laughter.
Patricia lit the three candles on the cake, and Jasmine nudged Maxwell forward.
“All right, everybody. On my count. One, two, three...”
They all sang a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” to him. Maxwell pretended to direct their singing like a conductor, causing the staff to laugh. When they finished, he boisterously clapped and thanked them for the serenade.
“You have to make a wish,” Dr. Roberson told him.
“Right.” Maxwell fell silent, pausing before he blew out the candles.
Everyone cheered and clapped.
Afterward, they sat around eating cake and junk food. They gave him an oversized card that everyone had signed, which included a $300 Visa gift card they had each contributed to.
At the end of the party, everyone helped clean up before leaving with slices of cake covered with foil.
As Jasmine and Maxwell walked back to his office, she cast a glance at him over her shoulder. “You’re not looking at my ass, are you?”
“Of course, I am.” He slapped her butt.
“Behave.” She laughed, looking around to make sure no one saw them. “Did you have any idea about the party?”
He flung his arm across her shoulders. “Not a clue.”
“Yes!” She pumped her fist. “I’m looking forward to the party tomorrow. Bruno had an insane amount of food for Fourth of July. I know we’re eating good for your birthday party.”
The Fourth of July party was momentous because that’s when the Connor-Santanas and the Robersons met. The get-together took place in the backyard of Bruno’s house, and later that night they had a good view of the fireworks display at a local park in the distance.
“He’s catering my party, so yeah, expect a lot of good food.”
The party was taking place at his parents’ house and included friends and family.
He and Jayson had made up, both of them openly admitting how much they had missed each other.
Maxwell made sure his friend understood Jasmine was a permanent fixture in his life and he needed to respect their relationship.
Jayson confirmed that he did and was expected to bring his big personality to the festivities.
As for Jenny, Maxwell was still salty about how she had handled the aftermath of the misunderstanding with Jasmine. Even when he had asked, she refused to explain the situation to Jasmine. Therefore, he had made the tough decision to cut her out of his life.
Jasmine sat on his desk, and he closed the door. “Want to know what I wished for?”
“No. You’re supposed to keep it a secret so your wish will come true.” She removed her hat and his too.
Maxwell stepped between her legs. “I’m gonna tell you anyway.”
She placed her hand over his mouth. “No. Keep it a secret.”
He pulled her hand away from his mouth, but didn’t release her wrist. “I wished for mole poblano because my mother told me a certain someone had been taught how to make it from scratch, just for me.”
Jasmine raised her eyes to the ceiling as if searching for something. “Gee, I wonder who that could be.”
“I’m looking at her, and I can’t wait.” Maxwell wound his hand around the single braid down the middle of her back, holding her head in a tilted-back position. He kissed her neck and inhaled the sweet scent of cherries. “When will I get my mole poblano?”
“Soonish,” she hedged, moaning.
“I need a date,” he murmured, nibbling on her earlobe.
“How am I supposed to think when you do that?” Jasmine groaned. She slipped an arm around his neck. “Fine. How about the last Saturday of the month?”
“I’m gonna hold you to it.”
“I’m sure you will.”
He lifted his head. “Want to know the truth? I didn’t wish for anything.”
She looked surprised. “I know you’re wealthy, but there must be something you want.”
“There isn’t. I have everything I want and need right here in my arms.”
Her eyes softened. “Max...”
“I mean it.” He cupped her face and kissed her.
Working with Jasmine was hard. Maxwell kept wanting to kiss and hold her, especially after not being able to for almost two months.
He believed in putting in the work in relationships, but their relationship had turned rocky sooner than expected, and he had almost given up too soon.
May and June had been the toughest period of his life, but he had put in the work, and his reward was winning back the woman in his arms, the woman he loved.
“Mmm.” Jasmine ran her hand up his thighs. “Since you didn’t use your wish, can I have it?”
“What do you want?”
A mischievous twinkle came into her eyes. “I realized something.”
“What?”
“We haven’t had sex in the office yet,” she whispered. “And we’re all alone right now. My wish is...” The sentence trailed off suggestively.
He grinned. “I like the way you think.”
Maxwell locked the door and then walked over to the window. The parking lot was empty except for his SUV since Jasmine had ridden to work with him. Nowadays she spent more time at his place than she did at hers.
He closed the blinds and returned to her.
“Come here,” he growled, pulling her into his arms.
They didn’t remove all of their clothes. He removed his shirt but kept on his pants. He pulled her shirt over her head, but her bra hung open to expose her breasts to his mouth, and he shoved her skirt up to her hips when he pushed his body into hers.
His big hands gripped her thighs, right below her backside as he thrust deep into her wet body. Panting and groaning, they slid past sexual tension into sexual oblivion, making good use of his desk and the wall.
Afterward, Maxwell sat in his chair with Jasmine on his lap, her bra refastened, her skirt back in its proper place.
He kissed her temple. “Move in with me.”
She shifted to look into his face. “I have a lease.”
He shrugged. “Break it. I’ll take care of any penalties.”
“When?”
“Next weekend.”
She stroked his beard, pursing her lips, as if giving the idea thoughtful consideration. “You might get tired of me.”
“I’m tired of you leaving my place to go back to your apartment.”
“Moving in together is a big step.”
“I know. It’s a prelude to getting married. You know we’re getting married, right?”
“We are?”
“Of course. I have to marry the woman who’s willing to make mole poblano from scratch.”
They both laughed.
Then she bit her bottom lip. “Max...”
“Max...” he repeated in a falsetto.
She lightly hit his shoulder. “Stop mocking me. Are you sure?”
He traced the curve of her bottom lip with his thumb. “We’re getting married, Jasmine. It’s inevitable. But for now, I just want to wake up next to you every morning.”
“Me and all my pillows?”
He hesitated. “You and some of your pillows.”
She smiled.
“Say yes.”
“I can’t say no to you. Yes.” Jasmine leaned in and kissed him squarely on the mouth.
“Louder,” he whispered.
“Yes!” she yelled, and kissed him again.
A few minutes later, they got dressed and left, holding hands as they walked out of the building.
Much had changed since that first day, when Jasmine’s cool indifference had gotten under his skin in ways he hadn’t understood. Winning her trust hadn’t been easy, but she had given him the greatest gift she had to give—her heart.
Maxwell silently vowed to spend the rest of his life proving she had made the right decision.