CHAPTER 64
Emma
Today’s the day. We’re going to tell everyone that we’re together.
Together.
For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been together physically. Sexually. But now we’re together-together. I’ve never had a together-together. I’ve had men who’ve used me and thrown me away… or I’ve run from them. But never this. Never a man who looks at me like he’s just found buried treasure.
That’s ironic since I’m the one who’s hit the jackpot. I’m with a kind and sexy man who isn’t addicted to drugs or stealing money from my purse. He comes with a loving and supportive family, a ready-made daughter, and a house with a resort-style pool.
And to top all that off, he’s the adventurous, generous, and intense lover of my dreams.
Not that he’s asked me to marry him. We haven’t even gone on a date yet! But today, he’s going to announce that we’re together-together, and that’s a dream come true for me.
I get up an hour before sunrise to get breakfast on the table before the morning crush happens.
I’ve decided more or less to take my own advice and make one breakfast that everyone can either eat or not eat.
But the one breakfast includes five choices, so I guess I have a ways to go before I really take my own advice.
I’m in a hurry this morning because I want to take Jasmine to school.
With all of my cooking and serving, Phyllis and Summer have been taking her, and I don’t want to let her down.
She enjoys our mornings together, and so do I.
So, as soon as I put the food on the table, I run out of the house with her.
She climbs into the SUV, and I shut her door. I run around to the driver’s side and jump in, half worrying that we’ll be stopped by Declan or Evander for another helping of sausage patties.
“I made you a breakfast burrito.” I hand Jasmine the burrito and start the car.
“Thanks! I’ve never had one I didn’t microwave before.”
She bites into the burrito and I drive off. It’s amazing how fast I’ve become a confident driver. I never knew how free I’d feel behind the wheel of a car. I love being able to get up and go. And I love to go fast.
“Did you put your homework in your backpack?” I ask Jasmine as we turn onto the main road.
It’s only seven thirty, and it’s already hot.
The summer is digging in, hot and dry. I’m used to the weather, living in Reno, but the air here is clean and free of pollution.
There are also lots of places to swim. I’m looking forward to the summer and Jasmine’s summer break.
Hopefully, we’ll spend a lot of time in the pool and the lake.
“Yes. I finished it last night before I watched TV. I don’t know why we have homework on the last week of school.”
“They’re trying to stuff as much knowledge in your head before a summer of fun drains it all out again.”
Her hand flies to the top of her head. She has her father’s hair, but not his violet eyes. Her beautiful pale blue eyes must have come from her mother. “Does knowledge drain out of my head?”
“I’m joking. I just mean that you’re not going to be doing a lot of studies on your vacation.”
“No way. I’m going to ride my pony all summer. Uncle K told me he would teach me how to barrel race. Dad says I can’t barrel race until I’m ten, but there are lots of girls who start at my age. Anyway, even if Dad says no, Uncle K told me he’ll do it when Dad is busy in his office.”
“That’s sounds very exciting.”
“And Tiffany’s birthday is in July, and she already invited me to a pool party with a cupcake tower.”
“Very cool,” I tell her. I’m so happy for her that she gets to experience such an idyllic childhood. And I’m thrilled to get to live it through her. “Maybe you and I can do something together this summer.”
“Uncle Declan says he’ll fly me to Monterey to see the sea lions if someone else comes to take care of me. Summer hates flying.”
“I don’t mind flying,” I tell her. Actually, I have no idea if I mind flying because I’ve never been in a plane. “We could go together.”
When I park in front of the school, I’m excited about a trip to see sea lions and a summer of fun with Jasmine and Finn, who is going to announce that we’re a thing any minute.
“You’re coming to the volunteer party after school today, right, Emma? There’s snacks and cornhole! I love cornhole! And then you can drive me home after. Can you bring a snack?”
That’s right—I’d almost forgotten. There’s a volunteer planning meeting for next fall’s activities followed by an activity for the kids. “Of course I’m coming. I wouldn’t miss it for all the money in the world. What kind of treat would you like me to bring?”
“Can you make marshmallow crispy treats?”
I smile to myself. “Of course. You can count on it.”
We pull into the parking lot, but before we can get out of the car, a young teacher storms over and raps her knuckles on Jasmine’s window.
I open it. “Please tell Jasmine’s father that she refuses to turn in her final paper for the class.
” She casts a terrifying eye at Jasmine, who slinks down in her seat and closes her eyes.
“Jasmine is behind enough in her writing, and if she doesn’t practice, she’ll never get better.
She might have to take third grade all over again. Do you hear me, young lady?”
Jasmine doesn’t respond.
“Thank you,” I tell the teacher and close the window in her face.
When she walks away, I turn to Jasmine. “Your teacher is strict. I used to have a teacher like that. I covered her car in shaving cream.”
“You did?”
“And then I got suspended, so I suggest you don’t make the same mistake.”
Jasmine isn’t in the mood to joke. I can sense her humiliation, and I give her time to recover from her teacher. If it were up to me, I would take her home and tell her to forget about the last week of school. But it’s not up to me.
When Jasmine’s posture relaxes and she starts breathing normally again, I try to find out what the problem with her schoolwork is. I assume she’s just a regular kid who would rather ride her pony than write an essay.
But I’m wrong.
“I tried to write the paper,” she tells me. “I always try my very hardest, Emma. But I can’t get the letters right. They’re not in the right order. They’re not facing the right way.”
“The right way?” I ask. With a little urging, she digs the paper out of her backpack. “I see,” I tell her. “May I keep this for a little while? I think I can help you with your assignment this evening after dinner.”
“I’m not in trouble?” She sits up in her seat. Her face is lit up in hope, like she can’t believe her wild luck.
“Of course you’re not in trouble. For a paper? Oh, please. Just don’t spray shaving cream all over your teacher’s car and all will be well.”
She gives me a big hug and hops out of the car. I watch her run into school.