I’d totally forgotten. Of course I had.
I thanked him with a blow job when we woke up. He was glad but also fucked me in the shower, so I was happy too.
I was also happy he wasn’t petty about money and had used the credit card Lewis had gotten him issued tied to my accounts. Mason had had to run too many times to accumulate any real wealth over his years. Plus, having to do things under the tablelimited a person—all the reasons talented people couldn’t have fat bank accounts.
And mine were all beyond fat, so we didn’t need to worry about money or have issues about it between us. So I was truly glad he wasn’t going to make any fuss over it.
We showed up to one of my houses that Kyria, Lewis, Mindy, and Melissa were renting. No, I was giving it to Kyria—Lewis, Mindy, and Melissa were renting from her to live there?
I honestly wasn’t sure which we had worked out. I was at a loss without Lewis handling it, and that complicated things at times. Really, it did.
Either way, they had quickly handled a few things and were now mostly moved in, some updates planned for later, so it was time drop by with housewarming gifts.
“You have good taste,” Lewis praised Mason with a knowing smirk.
I couldn’t even get mad or deny it. I chuckled and shook my head when Mason opened his mouth, the others amused.
“She’s working a new murder,” Mason defended.
“None of us are abused, and we know how Jasmine is better than you do,” Kyria reminded him. “Which is why the four of us have an idea that we’d like toquicklyrun by you.”
“Do whatever you want or…” I cleared my throat when the four of them gave me annoyed looks at how dismissive I was being.
“It’s not being dismissive,” Mason defended firmly this time. “I see it in her aura. It’s unflinchingtrust. She’s not flippant and always listens to the details with others. You four she trusts to a level she doesn’t others. If you want or need something—think an idea is good, then she has full faith in you.”
“I think I needed to hear that,” Lewis said first after a few tense minutes. “You always want so many details for work, but then when it’s off the clock or more personal—even yourpersonal life, you just say whatever. I’ve mostly understood it was how you felt, but—sometimes you just need to hear it.”
“I knew it but yeah, sometimes I need to hear it too because I get brushed off a lot,” Kyria agreed, the others nodding as well.
“I’ll try to remind you or just ask Mason about my aura if I’m being awkward?” I offered, glad when that was settled and they were all fine with that.
Who said old dogs couldn’t be taught new tricks?
Which was actually funny because I was young according to demons and supes.
“I want to gush over the fun, but then we have a proposal,” Mindy said as she moved one of the plants to the breakfast nook. “These are really lovely and so not needed. Really.”
They were, but Mason had outdone himself. Candle sets, gift baskets with basics and spa fun, some pretty but not hard to manage plants that were small and could grow into any space. Safe options but ones that showed care for sure.
“Jasmine!” Melissa gasped. “Why are there stacks ofmoneyin this candle set with my name?”
Mason was over there in a flash. “I didn’t add money and nothing was specifically labeled.”
“No, I did that while you were in the shower,” I chuckled. I shrugged when he blinked at me with wide eyes. “I added some extras.”
“This istwenty grand!” Lewis sputtered.
Kyria kept her mouth shut, clearly figuring out fast that she got more. Of course she did since she was my best friend.
Mason, Lewis, Mindy, and Melissa started freaking out and trying to give me back the money or demanding to know how I just had stacks of money ready to give them so fast. Rapid-fire questions or freaking out.
It went on for a couple of minutes with me not answering and just glancing between them while doing a great impression of a fish.
Kyria’s loud laugh cut through it all and she went over and playfully smacked each of them upside the head as if to snap them out of their crazy. Then she hugged me and kissed each of my cheeks before turning us to face the four of them.
“This is Jasmine Stewart who we know better than most and love. The woman who always has a plan for the plans and backups. Tech, life, investigations, the clubs—everything. There is always a way out and more to the story and she’s got an exit planned. If you didn’t assume she’s got some hidden vault in her condo with cash, gold,andgems, you’re silly.”
I gave a shrug when they all stared at me as if they wanted me to confirm it. “I’ve seen currencies tank and economies crumble. The value of gems plummets and others completely flip on what was worth the most. It’s always best to diversify in case of an emergency.”
