[chapter twenty-four]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
~Jeffy's POV~
Okay. Ouch.
I know she's teasing, but still …
Ouch.
Okay, Gordon. Pull it together. She's just teasing you. Besides, tomorrow you'll show her that you care about more than just … well, you know.
I step back into the house and pull the door shut behind me. I can hear Jimmie's voice drifting from the poker table as I watch Jasmine go back and sit down.
" … as long as it's okay with my nifty neighbors, of course."
"Are we invited?" Jon asks and Jimmie laughs.
"Of course!" Jimmie says excitedly. "Jeff, man. I was just telling the gang … I'm gonna have a party Sunday night when we get back from Charlotte. You've all gotta come."
Jasmine and me at a party. I can just imagine the comments at the shop the next day. "Jeff's taggin' his decorator!"
I shake my head to rid myself of those thoughts and smile as I slide back into my chair besides Jasmine. "Sure. As long as you guys will all be there." I say, throwing Jasmine a pointed look.
She smiles softly at me and squeezes my knee under the table. "We will be."
Thank god for that.
**
Okay, as long as the fire department doesn't show up, I'm good to go.
I told Jasmine to meet me here at 8 - and she's late. I'm nervous. And worried. Maybe she won't show? Maybe she got lost? Maybe her car broke down?
I look around to make sure I've gotten everything I need for an outdoor picnic like thing. Food, drinks, blanket. The stars shining above me are a nice touch - and I thank my lucky ones for Jasmine.
"Jeff?" I can hear Jasmine call out to me as she gets out of her car. I asked her to meet me at the small park near my neighborhood, which is always deserted and quiet. I thought an evening picnic had a nice, romantic ring to it.
Now I'm wondering if she'll think I'm a complete dork.
"Hey." I say, walking out of the shadows towards her, dropping a kiss onto her lips gently. "Find it okay?
"Yeah, but I've never been here before. Cool!" She says, looking up at the stars above us.
"No parka?" I tease as I take her hand and lead her towards the picnic.
"I'm gonna brave it. I have you to keep me warm." She says lightly, squeezing my hand. "Ooh … " She breathes as we walk into the clearing of the trees, the candles I'd lit and laid around doing their job perfectly.
Please think I'm not a dork. Please think I'm not a dork.
"Jeff … this is beautiful." She says softly as I gesture for her to sit on the blanket. "Not what I was picturing when you said dress for the out of doors."
"Is it okay?" I ask as I sit down beside her.
"I seem to recall telling you to quit asking if everything is okay all the time." She smiles as she nips my nose with her teeth.
"Okay." I shoot back, kissing her nose in return.
"You didn't have to do all this, though."
"I wanted to."
"Why?"
Good question. To prove how much I like you? To prove it's more than sex? To prove that you are the best woman I've ever known?
I can only shrug in reply. "I
dunno. I just … wanted to."