Page 39 of Wishes on Wildflowers
Not breaking eye contact, he set Buddy on the counter and barricaded him with one arm. His other hand lifted to Jasmine’s face, tracing her jaw. His thumb skimmed her lip, but he wanted more. He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers for one electrifying moment.
At least this time she didn’t shove him away. Far from it. Her hands caught in his hair as she kissed him back.
“Ew. Smooching.”
Mandy’s voice and Buddy’s squirming pulled Nathan back to the small apartment. Amusement lit Jasmine’s eyes as they held his.
Smooching indeed. “Later?” he whispered.
She nodded slightly, sucking in those pink lips. “Now about that tea.”
He grinned. “I’m headed for the basketball court under the bridge to meet my brother. Want me to take Buddy? Maybe the rest of you can come down to the playground after you’ve had your tea.”
Her eyebrows quirked upward. “Playground? I can take you on shooting hoops any day of the week.”
“Is that so? You might have to prove it.”
“You’re so on.”
He liked the sound of that.
16
“Did Dixie have her baby yet?”Mom asked as the family gathered in the dining room after church the next day.
Jasmine shook her head. “Not that I know of. Linnea texted me that she’d talked to Dan this morning. It sounds like Dixie had a long, rough night.”
Nathan rested his hands on the back of the chair next to where she was standing. She’d managed to wedge herself in the middle of a pew amid her girlfriends before he arrived at church, but of course Mom assumed he’d be at Sunday dinner again. He’d hovered close since they arrived at the house, but was she ready to let her family know she’d given in?
But, oh, those kisses yesterday. She’d definitely given in, and it felt good.
Did it matter what everyone thought? They’d all be fine with her decision. They’d seen the changes in Nathan, too.
Across the table, Basil raised both eyebrows and looked between her and Nathan as he slid into his chair. Yeah, her least favorite brother might make a big deal of it.
Jasmine opened her mouth to get the words in the open,but Dad spoke just then. “Everyone have a seat, and let’s pray.”
Her nephews pounded in from the living room and bounced into their seats. Marco settled little Arie as Alex assumed his seat around the corner from Dad. Nonna set a large bowl of salad beside the giant casserole dish of manicotti, and Daria came behind her with a basket of focaccia.
Nathan pulled back Jasmine’s chair, and she slipped into it, ignoring the pointed looks her family was certainly giving.
Dad said grace, and Mom began dishing out manicotti. “So who has the children, then?”
It took Jasmine a moment to remember the topic of discussion. “Linnea. She took them home after supper and put them down in their own beds. I think she’ll stay over there today. It’s easier in their familiar surroundings.”
Beside her, Nathan leaned a little closer and pressed his thigh against hers. “I don’t know. Buddy was happy at the basketball court yesterday with Jason and me.”
Silence for a few seconds before the questions began.
“You took Dixie’s kid? What on earth for?” That from Evan.
“You played without me?” Alex demanded.
Basil narrowed his gaze. “Okay, what’s going on?”
Nathan plucked a piece of focaccia from the basket and passed it to Jasmine as he chuckled. “I was consulting with Dan when Dixie called him.”
“And you got stuck with her kid, how?” Basil plunked his elbows on the table.
