Page 6 of Wishes on Wildflowers
Nathan whistled. “That’s impressive. I don’t know too many guys his age — he’s what, twenty-four? — who’ve bought their own home.” Even if it was nothing fancy.
“Me neither. I’ve got two and a half years on him, and I’m still working on it. Getting close, but starting this business and contemplating quitting my job in a year or two has me second-guessing.”
Jasmine had said something about a multi-year plan. “Soyou guys are starting small this year?”
“Yeah. I wanted to jump straight in, but Alex... well, he’s the long-term thinker. And he’s right. Basil is going full-time this year. He’s been working for the city public works department, but he hates it, so we decided he could start first. We’ll all pitch in evenings and weekends.”
Jasmine. She was one of theallPeter meant. Nathan turned. “Look, about Jasmine.”
Peter ran a hand through his shock of dark hair. “Yeah. I don’t know what to say.”
“This basement looks fine, and the rent is fair. There’s plenty of room to set up a home office in the living room. I really appreciate the offer, both of the suite and of being my first client here. But I sure hate to make things awkward.”
“What happened between the two of you? I mean, I hate to ask.”
Nathan shook his head, thinking back. “You knew we dated a few years. She was still in high school when we started going out, but when she began naming our babies, I freaked. I didn’t handle it well. Just bailed and left town.”
“Jasmine can be focused and blunt.”
He’d loved that about her. At least, when it didn’t terrify him. She never said things to him simply because he expected to hear them, so she was either a breath of fresh air or a blast of something else. “At least a guy always knows where he stands with her.”
Peter chuckled. “One way to put it. Look. You remember the Santoro clan. We’re ninety percent testosterone, and Jasmine is like a sister to me. Maybe you two should talk about the past and get it behind you once and for all. Just clear the air.”
“I don’t know.” Nathan grimaced, remembering thescathing look she’d blasted his way. “I don’t think she’s in any frame of mind for that type of conversation. I think... I think she really hates my guts.” He’d moved on. Why hadn’t she? Eight years was a long time to pack around that much resentment.
“Well, I’ll talk to her then. I should have before, but I didn’t. It’s not like Jasmine has worn her heart on her sleeve all these years, so I assumed Basil was right when he assured me it was ancient history. That’ll teach me to trust his word.”
The man had seemed excessively entertained by his sister’s discomfort. “And yet you’re going into business with him.” The same could be said of Nathan, but not to the same degree. Bridgeview Backyards would be only one of multiple clients for him, Lord willing.
“I know. It doesn’t seem to make sense, but underneath it all, Basil’s a good guy. He’s contributed as much to the business plan as the rest of us have, and he’s a hard worker. He just needs a leg up.”
Must be nice to be an optimist like Peter.
But Nathan needed to find some optimism of his own. He’d cut all his ties in L.A., sold everything that didn’t fit in his truck, and driven north, back to Spokane.
Surely he was brave enough to talk things out with Jasmine.
A few days later,Jasmine locked the massage clinic behind her and started down the sidewalk, but she didn’t get far. Bridgeview Bakery and Bistro’s cheery yellow and white awning had its usual effect on her, drawing her into itswelcoming interior. She’d take a few minutes for a cup of tea with Kass, if the café wasn’t too busy. Her friend would sympathize with her plight.
She lowered the hood on her rain jacket as she pulled open the glass door then stepped inside. A few patrons dotted the space, enjoying a quiet reprieve with friends or laptops before heading home on this dismal day.
“Jasmine!” Peter stood up and waved from the table farthest from the door. “Join us?”
Her teeth ground together as she recognized the back of Nathan’s head beside Basil’s. Neither turned to greet her, which was just fine. She didn’t want to talk to them anyway. She shook her head at Peter and pivoted. Tea at home would be just fine today. Linnea was likely already at the apartment.
“I’ll grab you a tea in a minute, Jasmine!” called Kass. “I wanted to ask you something.”
Drat. She could look like a petulant child or wait for her friend, although that sure beat sitting across from her brother and Nathan. She made her way to a wooden table on the far side of the small bistro and dropped into a turquoise chair facing the whitewashed plank wall. Her friend would need to be able to see the café anyway.
As she unzipped her jacket and flipped it back over her chair, she could hear Kass cheerfully refilling coffee cups and laughing with customers. A minute later, two cups of tea slid onto the table, and Kass settled across from her.
“Can’t promise to sit for long.” Kass surveyed the place around Jasmine. “Shay went home early because she wasn’t feeling well, and Hailey’s cleaning in the back. Of course, todaywouldbe the day it’s busy right up until closing.”
Todaywouldbe the day Nathan had come. Didn’t he know this was her space to unwind after a long day ofmassaging people’s backs? Of course, he didn’t know, and he wouldn’t care anyway. Making her uncomfortable was nothing to him. A joke, maybe.
“So, I wanted to ask you...” Kass lowered her voice. “Do you know that guy sitting with Basil and Peter over there? Hailey said he went to high school here.”
Jasmine grimaced. So much for peace. “I know him. Or once did.”
