Page 32 of A Journey For Jasmine

“No,” he said. “I’m not looking for that type of a setup. I never would. I’m just saying that I think it’s time I start out again. But at least you know what you’re getting involved in and can change your mind. Not many would want to be the first one in this situation.”

“You’ve dated no one at all in two years?”

“I’ve gone on dates in a group with people.”

And he’d had his wedding ring on, which of course always put some off, but most of those women knew the situation without him having to say much. He had one that wanted to console him in her bed that night.

It just wasn’t him. He’d left early that night and it was the last time he’d let one of his friends talk him into doing that.

“That’s no fun,” she said. “If it makes you feel any better, I never dated anyone until I was in college. We were watched closely. All of us girls. In a foreign country and the areas we lived in, it wasn’t always safe. When I started college, I was so out of place it wasn’t even funny. I was almost scared to start dating since it was drilled into our heads to be so careful.”

“Your father was strict?” he asked.

“Both of my parents were. We weren’t neglected and I’m sorry if I gave that impression.”

“There are different forms of neglect,” he said.

“There are. I understand a little of what you’re going through. I say a little because your loss is so deep, but I know how hard it is to try the first time too. That is all I’m saying.”

She put her hand on his and the heat he felt again was there and slamming into his chest with the force of waves during a hurricane.

It was a good feeling though.

One he knew he needed in his life again.

10

First Solo One

“How did it go?”

Jasmine barely got in the back door of the flower shop before Violet was standing there and Poppy ran in as if she’d been waiting too.

“Wow,” she said. “What’s going on?”

“We want to know how your date went,” Rose said, coming in too.

“Geez. You guys are making me feel as if I’m some spinster who can’t get a man. Have you been standing here for over an hour?”

She’d stopped at the greenhouses on her way in and started her day there. The last thing she expected was this reaction from the women.

“Pretty much,” Violet said. “I’ve been on the lookout and then just texted Poppy.”

“I told Rose when I was getting up,” Poppy said.

“Lily is on her way down. She said don’t start without her,” Rose said. “She’s on a call.”

Jasmine laughed and put her stuff down. It was kind of nice and fun but still surprising to have this kind of attention.

“What if I told you there isn’t much to say?”

Poppy pouted. “It was a dud?”

“No,” she said, smiling. She had to figure out what to say and then realized most of it wasn’t a secret anyway. She could give just enough without saying too much. It’s not like she was too worried about anything said between them.

“I’m coming,” Lily shouted from the stairs. “I can’t move as fast.”

“Well then,” she said. “This is a full house. No one is watching the flower shop?”

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