Jasmine stared at the man who’d used his obvious affluence to get others to do his bidding. She wasn’t even married to Cameron Singleton and she knew her connection to him would open doors closed to others not of his social class.
Chapter 18
During her tenth week Jasmine underwent CVS testing: chorionic villus sampling to detect genetic abnormalities and the results allayed her fear that she wouldn’t have a healthy baby.
Once she told Cameron the news, he surprised her later that evening with the news that he was taking her to meet his parents.
They’d just finished eating dinner when her cellphone rang. When she answered the call she was shocked again when her mother informed her they were moving the next day. The buyers who’d been pre-approved had withdrawn their offer and decided to buy a house in the borough of Queens. Anxious to leave New York because they didn’t want to pay two mortgages, they sold the house to the real estate company for a lower profit than they would’ve gotten on the open market. Jasmine told her mother she would give them time to adjust to their new community before coming to see them.
“What’s the matter, Jasmine?” Cameron questioned when she set the phone on the table.
“My parents are moving tomorrow. I thought I’d go up to New York to see them before they left.”
Cameron rubbed her back. “Don’t look so bummed, sweets. Instead of flying up to New York, we’ll just have to drive to North Carolina.”
“I know, but I wanted to tell them in person that they’re going to be grandparents.”
Cameron kissed her ear. “We’ll do that when we see them. I, too, prefer the in-person announcement. That’s why I told my folks that I wanted to see them Sunday. Now that you’ve gotten the tests results it’s time our close friends and family members know about the baby.”
Jasmine rested her head on his shoulder. “I need to go clothes shopping because I can’t button my pants.”
“You don’t look as if you’ve put on much weight.”
“So far I’ve gained ten pounds, and half of that is in my hips.”
Cameron’s hand slipped down and he cupped her bottom. “Your booty looks sexy.”
She wanted to tell him she didn’t feel sexy now that her waist was expanding and she had to search through her closet to find something to fit her without restricting her movements. Even her swimsuit failed to conceal her rapidly increasing breasts. She’d gone from a 34B to a 36D in less than three months and she shuddered to imagine how big she would be at full term.
Pushing back his chair, Cameron stood. “I’m going downstairs to swim. Do you want to join me?”
“Okay.”
He hunkered down next to her. “What’s the matter, Jasmine? You look as if you’ve lost your best friend.”
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice breaking. “It has to be hormones because I feel so useless. It’s too hot for me to be outside so I’m cooped up here. I read, watch television, and only leave the suite to go down to the pool. My swimsuit is too small, so I can’t swim until I buy a larger size. Even when I didn’t work while living in New York I always found something to do. I’d go to a museum, or hang out in the Village or Brooklyn. There were days when I’d just browse through my favorite boutiques or department stores without buying a thing. And when I’d really get restless I’d get into my truck and drive out to Long Island to see my parents or friends I’d gone to school with.
“I miss having my bimonthly dinners with Nydia and now that Tonya and Hannah are married I don’t want to impose on them. The renovations to DuPont House are still ongoing, while the work on our house is in the beginning stages. I’m keeping a list of objects I want to consider to furnish each room, but it won’t become a reality until I’m able to see the completed spaces. I need a blank canvas to visualize what I want to put on it.”
Cameron cradled Jasmine’s face in his hands. “Do you want me to take you away for a few days? We can go and see your parents and then take a side trip to the Sea Islands. We can stay in Charleston and take day trips to Jekyll and St. Simons Islands. You can buy the sweetgrass baskets to go along with the other woven baskets you plan to use to decorate the loggia.”
Jasmine felt a jolt of excitement. “When are we leaving?”
“Slow down, darling. I have to check with my father and brother and ask them to cover for me. I’ll ask them when we get together tomorrow.”
Her eyes grew wider. “Your entire family gathers for Sunday dinner?”
Cameron’s thumb’s caressed her cheekbones. “Yes. It’s always the third Sunday in the month.”
Jasmine tried to still her momentary panic. She was under the impression she would meet Cameron’s parents, not his entire family. She knew he hadn’t told his family about the baby and wondered if they knew of their engagement. The last time she was seen in public with Cameron was at Tonya and Gage’s wedding, and it was apparent the word had not spread across New Orleans that he was off the market.
“Don’t worry, sweets. My family is going to love you as much as I do.”
* * *
Liar, liar, pants on fire!The ditty popped into Jasmine’s head as she walked into the Singleton parlor and found dozens of pairs of eyes staring at her. She tried reading some of the expressions: shock, puzzlement, and indifference. Cameron had lied to her. His family had no intention of loving or even liking her, and she wondered what he’d told them about her.
The one thing he did reveal was the gatherings were always casual. No ties or jackets for the men, and no fancy dresses or heels for the women. She’d gone through her closet and managed to find a sleeveless loose-fitting, navy-blue linen dress ending mid-calf she paired with her favorite blue-and-white striped espadrilles. A light cover of makeup and her hair brushed off her face in a loose ponytail completed her casual look.
