“You talk funny,” April said. “Where are you from?”
“South Africa.”
“Oh, you’re from Africa,” Brad said. “I always wanted to go to Africa.”
She’d heard a few Americans say it in that way, like the whole continent was a country.
“So do you guys have lions just walking around?”
She grinned. “Yeah. I actually have a pet leopard. His name is Jeff.”
“Really?”
“She’s messing with you, dude,” Tony said.
Brad nudged her with his elbow and smiled. “Funny.”
A waitress came to the table and delivered their meals and she found it strange that they hadn’t even ordered, but then she remembered that they were regulars here. The burger placed in front of her was massive.
“How do you guys eat this?” she asked. “The patty is bigger than my face.”
She generally chose to eat with her hands, but this burger demanded the use of a fork and knife. They continued talking as they ate, all of them asking her about her life in Africa and her current road trip.
“The weather is much better back home than it is here,” Jasmin said, slicing off another sliver of her huge burger. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the cold. It’s—”
“I just want to be on you,” Tony cut in.
“Excuse me?” Jasmin asked, looking up at him with confusion.
“All I’m thinking about is getting into your pants right now. An Indian and Mexican—do you know how hot that would be?”
She didn’t take offense because it didn’t seem like he meant it.
“You have to forgive Tony,” Brad said with a sheepish smile. “He doesn’t realize that some of his comments are extremely inappropriate.”
She could definitely relate to that. “Hot and spicy,” she agreed, looking over at him. “Like jalapenos and chili.”
“My thoughts exactly.” And when he reached over and took some of her fries from her plate, she felt like she had found a kindred spirit. They just seemed to have an instant connection.
“And then you wanna be an actor,” Jasmin continued, “and I wanna be a rapper. We’re actually Hollywood’s nexthotcouple in the making.”
“You wanna be a rapper?” he asked with fake adoration. “You’re my dream girl. I think I love you.”
“Would you stop encouraging him?” Brad chuckled, nudging her again.
“So we’re going to a Rodeo now,” April said. “Why don’t you come with us?”
Jasmin felt a smile light up her face. “Sure. I’d like that. I’ve never been to one before.”
After paying for the meal, they shuffled off the benches and headed for the door. Brad, Megan, and April walked on ahead, but Tony waited for her and slung his arm over her shoulder.
“So when we get there” he said, “I want you to take tips on riding, but at the same time I want you to take note that riding a bull is very different to riding astallion.”
She laughed at his frankness. “Do women actually fall for that?”
“What? My Charm?” He adamantly shook his head. “Hell, no. But when I find one that does, I’ll know she’s the one for me.”
“Jasmin.”
