Jasmin’s eyes widen as I pull up to valet. Yes, I could park and walk, but tonight, it’s all about her.
One attendant helps her out of the truck while I pass the keys off to the other. I round the back of the truck and join her, placing her hand in the crook of my elbow.
“Parker.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “This is too much for a weeknight date. Too much for us having a date period. I can’t let you spend this kind of money.”
I open the door and lead the way to the host stand. I give them our information and it’s not long before someone is showing us to a table in the back. I really like the ambiance of this place. It’s cozy and the perfect place to take someone you care about.
“Tonight is all about you, Jasmin. You’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else. Making sure everything with your sister’s wedding will go off without a hitch. You even spent time with a group of girls you don’t particularly like. Has anyone stopped to make sure you have some time to yourself?”
She thinks that over and glances at the wine menu. “Actually, no. I’ve been wondering why I’m sleeping so horribly.”
“It’s okay to take a break.” I reach for her hand across the table. “Nothing is going to fall apart while you rest.”
“Deep down I know that. But it’s hard to remember when there’s a list of things to do a mile long.” The server comes to take our drink order and we give him our wine selections. “Besides have you used this same line of reasoning with Pierce? He probably needs to decompress sometimes, too.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Pierce is on a whole different level. “I’m trying. Though it’s been pretty hard after the way he interacted with you at the winery. He was a jerk.”
“Maybe he was having a bad day.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I know I get like that sometimes.”
“Unless he has a bad day every day, it’s not much of an excuse. But I have been less of a smart ass to him.”
“Good. That’s progress.” She pats my hand as if I’m a child.
The server comes back with our drinks and lets us know we can head to the salad bar. There will be additional servers coming around with meat selections.
“So how did dress shopping go? Can I see yours?” I’ll do anything to change the subject at this point. I also need something to talk to her about while we get our salad.
“Nope. I want you to see me in my dress at the wedding. I know you won’t technically be in attendance as a guest during the ceremony, but I can’t wait to see your expression.”
That almost seems unfair. I’ve never been more excited for a wedding, though.
“Are there any other events I need to attend? I need to make sure I have them in the calendar. We hired two people today so they’ll be able to fill in where needed.”
The grin that takes over her face is worth everything, and I never want to see it fall.
“Really? Would you be able to go to the rehearsal dinner? I’d really love to not be sitting alone for it. The actual wedding day will be busy, but knowing you’ll be there for the dinner and the reception means so much.”
“I’ll do my best. We’ll need to finish setting up a few things, but I promise I’ll try.”
We carry our salad plates back to our table and she sets her hand on my leg, giving it a small squeeze. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” I lift my hand and run my thumb over her jaw. “Even if this is only pretend for a little while longer, I’ll be there to help you however you need. I’d like to think out of all this we at least have friendship.”
“Yeah.”
Something passes over her face. Sadness? Fear? I’m not sure. Spending time with her has made it easier to read her mood, but she’s hiding something right now. Maybe it’s the same thing I’m hiding. That I don’t want this to end.
Twenty
Jasmin
The only positive thing about this dress is buying it off the rack. Daniela didn’t need any alterations so we took it home the day we bought it. Now, it’s filling my entire backseat because it’s so freaking puffy.
“Dating one of the owners of the winery has its perks.” Daniela laughs. “I don’t know where I’d get ready if your boyfriend’s sister didn’t offer her house to put on this monstrosity.”
“In the bathroom like you would at most other places. Unless we wanted to pay the massive fee for a room to get ready in.” It’s one of the reasons I’m glad she didn’t choose a botanical gardens in the area. Their bridal rooms for pictures were way out of her budget.
She scrunches up her nose and shakes her head. “Yeah, there’s no way I’d be doing that. Can you imagine the germs that would collect on the bottom of the dress? No, thank you.”
