Page 45 of Afterglow
Jazmine folds her arms across her chest. I have to force my eyes to remain on her face, one wandering gaze would bring me to focus on her breasts. Her sleeved, white cropped top is not helping.
“Fine,” Jaz reluctantly takes a seat in the chair I pulled out. “This isn’t a date. You don’t need to act like a gentleman,”
“This is definitely a date,” I tease, although part of me is serious.
“It is not. We aren’t speaking of this again,” Jazmine says with finality.
She grabs a menu from the table and skims the page, I do the same. Strong Beans has the best breakfast options. As an athlete I need food that will sustain my energy.
Football training was earlier this morning, so I’m starving. I decided on my usual order: the big breakfast. It consists of bacon, eggs and hash browns. The meal ismade for football players, I don’t think a normal human could eat what is served.
“I’m going to have pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. As for a drink, I’ll have my usual.”
“Okay. I’ll go order it,”
Jazmine stands up to follow me. “I’m coming too, I have to pay.”
I laugh, my head involuntarily shakes. “You’re not paying. I told you I was buying you breakfast,”
“But-”
“No. You’re going to sit down and let me do something nice for you,”
Jazmine rolls her eyes but listens, relaxing back into her chair.
“Good girl,”
Jaz’s spine straightens and a pink hue scatters across her cheeks. Turning on my heels, I head to the counter. I knew Jazmine Allen would have a praise kink. Laughing to myself, I wait in line.
The cafe is buzzing with nearly every table filled by customers. It is by far, the best cafe on campus and that isn’t just because Jaz works here. Although, ever since I found out she worked here, I seem to spend every waking hour searching for Jaz at Strong Beans. Finally, I reach the front and order our meals and drinks.
“Who are you texting?” I ask, taking my seat at our table.
Jazmine looks up. “Oh, just checking on Jay and Willow.” She shakes her head. “They’re both so stubborn, I knew something like this would happenone day.”
“Have they always been like that?”
Jazmine nods her head. She explains their relationship—or rivalry, I should say. “Jayden wasn’t the biggest fan of Willow continuing ice hockey after she turned fourteen.”
I tilt my head, puzzled at her comment. “Why?”
“We have a mixed local team in my hometown, but most of the girls quit around thirteen and fourteen because the boys become…well they become boys but with more testosterone.”
I bark out a laugh. “So, basically Willow told him to fuck off. And he didn’t like that,”
“Yep,”
It has just dawned on me that I know barely anything about the girl in front of me. Jazmine is closed off, keeping everyone at an arm's length. The brick wall she has erected around her heart and mind never seems to break. Yet, I want to take a sledgehammer and smash every brick to pieces if it means I can know everything that makes Jazmine Allen tick.
“Did you play?” I ask.
“Ice hockey?” I nod. “Yeah, I did until I was ten, I got hit pretty badly and had a concussion. The thought of going back onto the ice after that scared the shit out of me,”
“Oh. Is that why you want to work at Cooper and Byrd?”
Jazmine’s eyes are zoned in on mine, surprise fills her features. “You remembered that, huh?”
I’ll remember anything you tell me Princess.
