Page 54 of Seal of Approval

I blushed. “What do you suppose they’re talking about?”

“Perhaps the same thing you were coming to talk about.”

I looked out the window at the kids playing on the beach, Timmy running between them. I didn’t know exactly what I had come in to talk about.

“You may want to spit it out before they come out,” Jack said.

I turned my attention back to him. “Jasmine.”

Jack nodded, encouraging me to continue. When I didn’t, he said, “You’ve been getting close.”

There was the opening that I needed. “Yeah, but I don’t know if it’s because we’re pretending.”

“Are you pretending to like her?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s a start.”

I shrugged.

“Let me tell you what I’ve seen. I’ve seen Jasmine, who doesn’t trust many people, put her trust in you. I’ve seen her look at you like kids look at ice cream and I’ve seen you look at her like ice cream covered in chocolate topping.”

I laughed. “I’m not good at relationships.”

“Maybe because it wasn’t with Jasmine.”

“I’m only here for six months.”

“Well, don’t waste them then.”

He made it sound so easy. Opening up was not easy. Being vulnerable was not easy. I was not easy.

Jasmine and Lily came out of an aisle. My insides were floating like when doing a deep dive. I needed to anchor myself. I glanced at Jasmine. She gave me a small smile, securing me like a dive line.

“Well, off you go, we’ve got the kids for the afternoon,” Jack said.

“What?” Jasmine and I said in unison.

“We’re taking them into Somewhere Bay for ice cream.” Before either of us could say a word, he strode to the front door, flung it open and yelled, “Who wants ice cream?”

“Me,” Rose and Bailey answered.

“Go get ready then,” Jack said.

I carried Timmy while the kids ran ahead to get changed. Jasmine walked beside me. We were both silent. This wasn’t awkward at all.

“Sex on Legs, huh?” I gave her a smirk and waited for her reaction.

She kept her eyes straight ahead. “Lily’s name for you.”

“Not yours?”

She blushed. “I may have used it once or twice.”

“I’ll have to think of a pet name for you.”

“Please don’t.”

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