Page 33 of Taming Hawke

I rest a hand on my suddenly tight chest. I can’t imagine how awful that would have been for Hawke. I mean, sure I’ve been cheated on, but I’ve never witnessed it, had it right there in front of me. Why does everything need to be so complicated?

“So, he called off the wedding?”

“He did. Then he walked out of her life.”

Feelings of pride for Hawke fill me as I think of how hard that would have been for him. Then I look Jasmine in the eye. “Then why did he kiss her the other night?”

Jasmine sighs. “On the night of the bachelor party, they were at Black Panthers. Josie was there, stripping on stage.”

“Josie is a stripper?” I ask, shocked.

“She is now, yes. But when her and Hawke were together she was a personal assistant for some design company.”

“So why is she a stripper now?”

“This is where it all comes together, Lu.”

“Um, excuse me…. I don’t mean to interrupt, but did you want me to wrap up the dress for you?”

Jasmine looks behind her at the fitting assistant in the doorway. “Oh gosh, sorry, I’ve let time slip away from me. Sure, I’ll get out of my dress and bring it out front.”

Jasmine’s dress fits her like a glove so there’s no need for any finishing touches.

“We’ll have to continue this discussion later, Lu.” Jasmine gets up from the couch and heads to the changerooms where the assistant is now waiting, ready to help her get out of the dress.

I sigh, regret now filling me. Did I overreact? Josie cheated on Hawke! That could possibly explain his commitment issues.

I sit patiently waiting for Jasmine, and stand up and follow her when she exists the changeroom and makes her way to the register. They place the dress in a secured bag and lay it safely in her waiting arms.

“Here, let me help,” I offer as I hold the bottom of it. “You shouldn’t be carrying anything too heavy.”

“Not you too,” Jasmine states, rolling her eyes at me. “Ever since I’ve been pregnant, I’m not allowed to do anything unless Quill says I can.”

“He’s just being cautious, Jazz.”

“There’s cautious, and there’s just plain crazy. Quill is the latter. The guy won’t even let me go shopping on my own. He sends a prospect to the shop with my list.”

I smirk. “Yeah, that may be a little over the top.”

She smiles. “Good to know you see it my way.”

I roll my eyes. “Come on, let’s get this dress in the car. This gown weighs a ton, you sure you can walk down the aisle in this?”

“It’s fine. And don’t you dare tell Quill that it’s heavy. The man would make me change it, maybe even pick the dress for me.” I giggle imagining Quill doing that exact thing.

Once out front and near her car, Jasmine awkwardly opens the trunk and places it gently inside, ensuring it’s flat and won’t get creased. “There,” she says, “that wasn’t too bad.” Jasmine stands back, hands on her hips as she blows loose hair out of her face.

“Yeah, not bad at all,” I agree.

“Let’s go get a hot chocolate. I’m craving one and we can finish that conversation.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

We walk into Macie’s café which is next door to the bridal shop, and make our way to the counter to order our drinks. “Hot chocolate please, and, uh, Lu, what do you want?”

“I’ll get a long black, thanks.”

Once our drinks are ready, we carry them over to a table and take our seats.

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