Page 92 of Humility

“You’ve been shot?” Shock was written all over her face as the color drained. “Twice?”

“Do you need to sit down?” I wrapped my arm around her waist.

“No, I don’t need to sit down. I want to know who shot you.” She clenched her hands into fists. “And you better tell me they are six feet in the ground.”

Jasmine was getting herself fired up for a rant, but I didn’t want today to be spoiled, so I cupped her face and kissed her before she could say anything else.

“Breathe, Amorina,” I said and nipped her bottom lip. “Let’s not ruin this beautiful day with talk about this.”

She took a shuddering breath and nodded. “I wasn’t shot, but I missed you every day, too,” she said and blushed before stepping back.

“Come on, let’s get you a dress for dinner tomorrow.”

Linking my fingers with hers, we walked in a comfortable silence. The closer we drew to the square, the busier it got. There were buskers on every corner, and Jasmine would stop to listen before tossing money into their collection with a smile and warmth in her eyes. She didn’t even notice all the looks she got or how people naturally bowed their heads.

We walked into the classic boutique, and it didn’t take long for the woman working to help Jasmine to the dressing room with an armload of dresses.

“Are you coming?” Jasmine called out, and I turned from the display window. “I need your opinion.”

“Even in a wet paper bag, you would look….” My mouth fell open, the words turning to dust and blowing away as Jasmine stepped out of the stall.

The glittering dress hugged her body like it was spun from gold just for her. From the deep scooping neckline and the sexy slit that showed off her legs right down to the matching strappy shoes, she was a work of art. I’d marveled at a thousand sculptures from around the world, yet none could rival her exquisite beauty or capture the kindness radiating from her soul.

“You are a vision. A goddess plucked from the heavens and placed before me.”

Jasmine’s face turned a bright red, and although she held her head high, her eyes darted to the floor. I lifted her chin, and my eyes traced the details that I’d committed to memory long ago.

“Never look down. You are a princess of one of the most powerful families in the world. It is I who should be on my knees before you.”

“I never want that,” she said.

“And that is why God has graced you with this power and the daunting responsibility to keep the rest of us humble.”

“You’ve always made me sound like I am so much more than I am. In our world, I’m sought after for two things: to remain quiet but beautiful and to give whoever I marry a child. I’m a glorified breeding cow.”

“Who said that to you,” I asked, anger burning in my chest.

“No one had to say it. Just look around. Even my papa couldn’t leave the family to me and planned on marrying me off to keep me safe.” She made little air quotes. “I appreciate and love that you see me as more than a woman on the run from men you claim I’m better than, but the truth is far uglier.”

Running my hand down her arms, I picked up her hand and laid it over my heart. “I’m going to tell you a secret. Anyone who thinks that is scared of how powerful you’d become. You can do whatever you set your mind to. You need only believe.” I ran my hands down the shimmering material and couldn’t help wishing I was taking her out in this dress. “The dress is perfect. You don’t need to try another one if you don’t want to. Angelo is a lucky man.”

Jasmine softly poked me in the chest. “No, that’s not happening. You can’t give me that speech and not give it to yourself. It may be Angelo’s name, I take, but I love you both equally, and truth be told, I liked you first.”

I dropped my lips to hers, relishing in the moment.

“Did you need any help? Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll leave you and your wife alone.” The saleswoman disappeared as fast as she arrived.

“I guess her showing up was just as well. I was getting ready to pull you into one of the stalls,” Jasmine said, making me laugh.

“Well then, I better step outside. I wouldn’t want to give you too many naughty ideas. You might ruin the dress,” I teased, making her giggle as she disappeared.

My phone rang, and I wanted to throw it. There really was something to be said for being completely off the grid. I pulled it from my pocket, but it was another unknown caller. I sent it to messages just as Jasmine walked out.

“Same number?”

“Or lack there of, but yeah, they didn’t leave a message before. I think it’s a telemarketer, but I really don’t need my gutters or ducts cleaned.”

“Is it normal to get calls like that?”