Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Kylie exchanges a look with Linda. If she’s afraid Jasmine’s wariness is going to get to me, she hasn’t figured out yet just how much I want to be with her.
“I think your mom is amazing,” I say. “I want to take you both out on a date so you and I can get to know each other better.”
“My mom doesn’t go out on dates.”
Linda puts an arm around her granddaughter, giving us a reassuring smile. “Pax, why don’t you take Kylie out to your car, and I’ll walk Jasmine out in just a minute?”
Kylie nods and approaches me. Silently, we walk to the front door and as soon as she closes it behind us, she turns to face me.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know if she’s picking up on Pike’s attitude or what.”
“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I’ve got broad shoulders. She’s just a kid, and she’s been through a lot. If I have to prove I’m worthy of you, I will.”
She gives me a wry smile as we walk to the car. “She’s got a lot of her uncle in her. I promise it’s not about you.”
Her soft, full pink lips are beckoning me to kiss them, but I don’t think that’s a good move when Jasmine will be coming out soon.
“Hey,” I say softly as I open her door. “You look beautiful. And I’ve missed you. And even though I’d like to have my hands and mouth all over you tonight, I’m just happy to be able to spend this evening eating dinner with you and your daughter. I think we need to take things extra slow in front of Jasmine.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
Linda walks out with Jasmine in tow, and Jasmine looks every bit as contrite as Pike did when he walked out of the house.
“I’m sorry I was rude, Pax,” she says, looking up at me. “Thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome.”
I open the rear passenger side door and she gets in. She tries to buckle her seat belt, but can’t get it all the way in, so I reach over to the buckle.
“Want me to do it?”
“Yes, please.”
I snap the belt into place, winking at her. “It helps to have giant bear paws for hands. That’s what your Uncle Pike calls my hands.”
She almost smiles. Almost.
I drive to the strip and park in a standalone parking garage, and then we start the walk to Trevi. Kylie tells us about her day at work, including her friend Lyndon, who is feeling better. Jasmine is mostly quiet, giving one-word answers when I ask her questions.
It’s not entirely awkward, but it’s not comfortable, either. When our pizzas arrive, we’re all quiet for a few minutes as we eat.
“This is amazing,” Kylie says, gesturing toward her plate with her fork. “Do you like it, Jas?”
She shrugs. “It’s okay.”
“I used to eat an entire large pizza after every game when I was in the minors,” I say. “Pepperoni and mushroom. There was a place right across from the arena we played at, and they knew as soon as people started coming out to the parking lot, it was time to make my pizza.”
Kylie arches her brows, surprised. “The whole thing? Did you not eat before the game?”
“Oh, I ate then, too. A couple of hours before the game.”
“I guess you guys burn a lot of calories, so it makes sense. Pike used to have trouble keeping his weight up when he played in high school.”
“It can be tough for some guys, but I was born with a monster appetite. Especially for dessert.” I look over at Jasmine. “What’s your favorite dessert?”
“Ice cream.”
“Good pick.”
Kylie’s eyes are locked onto mine, the intensity I see swirling in hers making me wish I could take her in my arms and kiss her, but now isn’t the time.
After dinner, we leave the restaurant and I look between Kylie and Jasmine. “Anyone want to get ice cream?”
“I don’t feel good,” Jasmine blurts. “I want to go home.”
Kylie’s brow furrows as she studies her daughter. “You felt fine earlier, Jas.”
“I think the pizza made me sick.”
This is going to be harder than I expected. But the last thing I want to do is push Jasmine too hard.
“It’s okay,” I say, not disappointed, but rather determined to find some common ground with Jasmine. “I’ll take you guys home then.”
Kylie mouths I’m sorry as we walk back to the car, and I give her a wink of reassurance. Every time I look at Jasmine in the rearview mirror on the drive home, she’s leaning her head against the window, her expression forlorn.
Poor kid. I imagine she’s thinking I’m going to try to take her mom away from her, though that’s the furthest thing from my mind. She can’t remember a time when her mom belonged to anyone but her, though.