“I’m talking about Gregory Carson and Cameron Singleton. When you introduced Gregory as your mentor I knew you were sleeping together because I’d noticed the sly glances and the proprietary way he’d touch your arm or waist. And when you told me Gregory had been instrumental in helping you get your condo I wanted to say something, but figured it was none of my business. Once you opened up and confided in me about your relationship with him I wanted to tell you that I knew he was your lover, but pretended to be surprised. Now, let’s talk about Raymond.”
“I’d rather not,” Jasmine countered.
A slight frown appeared between Danita’s eyes. “Well, I’m going to have my say, and then I’ll never speak of him again. The man is nothing more than a parasite. He saw you as a lamb he could fleece. You had a thriving business, a luxury condo, and he played on the fact that you both shared Filipino ancestry. I swore to my brother I’d never say anything to you, but I had to talk Richard off the ledge when he threatened to shoot Raymond for what he’d done to you and blame it on PTSD from Vietnam.”
Jasmine’s eyes grew wide. She could not imagine her even-tempered, soft-spoken father shooting anyone. “I don’t believe it.”
Danita made sucking sound with her tongue and teeth. “Believe it, and if you ever mention it to him I’ll deny I said anything.”
Jasmine pantomimed zipping her mouth closed. “My lips are sealed.”
“Let’s talk about Cameron. I’ve just met Mr. Cool Breeze, but he looks and smells like money so I doubt he’s going to try to pimp you.”
“You’re right about the money aspect. Cameron’s a CFA.”
“What’s a CFA?”
“It’s a chartered financial analyst. In other words, he’s a portfolio manager.”
Danita chuckled. “I told you he smells like money. Call it women’s intuition, but there’s something about him I like.”
“I’m not saying I don’t like him, Aunt Dee.”
“Then what’s stopping you from becoming more than friends?”
“We live more than thirteen hundred miles apart.”
“That’s BS and you know it. You dated Raymond when you two lived eight thousand miles apart. All you have to do is hop on a plane to New Orleans and you’re there in a matter of hours, so stop making excuses. And now that you’re not working you can go down and spend the summer, and that way you’ll find out if you want to continue to date Cameron or call it off completely.”
A shiver of annoyance eddied over Jasmine’s body. Her aunt was being pushy. “You sound like Nydia.”
“I’m glad I do,” Danita retorted, “because until you start seeing someone else you’re not going to get out of the funk where you keep rejecting men who are attracted to you. You’re young, beautiful, and talented, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the company of the opposite sex. I’m not saying you should jump into bed with them, but you need to have some fun. What’s wrong with going to a movie, a ballgame, or just taking a walk through Central Park?”
“There’s nothing wrong with any of those things.”
“Then why aren’t you doing them, Jazz? Keith and I love running this place but there comes a time when we can’t wait for the Thanksgiving weekend to close down, so we can have time for ourselves. Our kids are grown and out on their own and that means we can travel, register for cooking classes in different countries, and act like young lovers when we kiss and hold hands in public. And now that I don’t have to worry about getting pregnant making love with Keith is better than ever.”
Jasmine grimaced. “That is too much information.”
“Is it? I’m more than twenty years older than you and I’m doing what you should be doing.”
“You’re right, Aunt Dee.”
Danita waved her hand. “Please don’t tell me I’m right and not do it.”
Jasmine knew it was time to enlighten her aunt. “I’m Cameron’s date tomorrow night for a yacht party with his college frat brothers.”
Danita gave her an incredulous stare. “You mean to tell me I’ve been beating my gums about you going out and now you tell me the man’s introducing to his friends?”
“Yup,” Jasmine said smugly.
“I take back what I said. I hope you’re wearing something that will have him salivating.”
Amusement flickered in Jasmine’s eyes when she thought of the dresses she had to select from for her date with Cameron. “I bought two dresses for my friend’s wedding, but I still haven’t decided which one I’ll wear. Either way, I have a dress for the yacht party and the wedding.”
“Speaking of weddings, Keith and I will cater one next weekend. The bride wants a Western-style wedding so when she saw the barn she decided it was the perfect place to hold her reception.”
“How many parties do you cater during the season?” Jasmine asked.
