Page 25 of Five Goodbyes

“Right over there is where that psychopath tried shooting me,” Jasmine says.

Her brother stretches his neck as far as possible to see the area while both parents cringe at the idea. Isaiah begins asking for details but his father places a hand on the young man’s shoulder, letting him know it’s not the time or place to be asking. A knock on the front door interrupts the moment.

“Would you like me to answer?” I ask.

“Please,” Jasmine replies.

I walk away to the sound of both of Jasmine’s parents giving a brief admonishment for her making light of almost being killed.

“You son of a bitch!” Smoke roars as I open the door.

“What?!” I exclaim.

“You and Jasmine are going to send me to my grave. Why can’t you guys go even one damn week without nearly getting yourselves killed? Damnit, bro. Seriously, knock this shit off,” Smoke yells. He then gives me a quick push into the wall before walking past me and to the living room.

I pushed myself off the wall and give him a quick shove back that barely moves the giant off his center, but the two of us have built this rapport that’s bonded us.

“Hi, Amira,” I say as she steps in behind her beast of a husband.

“Hi, Hunter. I apologize for my brute of a husband. I’m still working on him,” Amira says before giving me a quick hug.

“Everyone’s on the balcony,” I say.

Smoke’s already gone, and I can hear his booming voice lay into Jasmine the exact same way he did with me. One of the many things people love about the guy is that he’s the same no matter who’s around him. If he has something to say, he’s saying it. I appreciate it. Be it in a bar with the boys or in front of a room of FBI executives, he’s the same with everyone. I’m very thankful he likes me.

Amira and I join the group as Smoke is giving his well-known, body crushing, hugs to Jasmine’s mom and dad. I can’t imagine what it was like for this monster of a man to come into the lives of the Andersons, then taking Jasmine under his wing. He did that when she was still in high school. I wonder if they ever questioned it.

“Don’t get comfy, we have to get to the marina,” Jasmine tells everyone.

“What are we doing at the marina?” Mrs. Anderson asks.

“It’s a surprise,” Jasmine says.

Everyone finishes their drinks, and then we all eagerly exit the condo. We have to take two vehicles, but it’s close by so we’re there in no time. It’s a surprise for me as well as her family because I have no idea what Jasmine has planned.

Though I don’t know what to expect when we pull up to the marina, I think I may need to start anticipating the difference between my life experiences and that of the Anderson clan. When someone tells me we’re going on a cruise around Biscayne Bay, I think of a fishing boat with just enough room to walk around. What the Andersons mean is a fully staffed and loaded yacht. It isn’t overly extravagant, but for what I’m used to, it’s extreme.

“You’re insane. This is crazy,” I whisper to Jasmine as we board.

“If you think this is crazy, stick around. Over the years you’ll truly see crazy.”

“I guess I’ll be seeing crazy then, because I’m not going anywhere,” I promise.

We smile as Jasmine reaches down and finds my hand. I greedily accept it, and whatever worry I may have felt earlier in the day is gone. Jasmine’s mine, and I’m hers. I’m not going to be bashful about it.

The captain of the yacht introduces himself and discusses what the next two and half hours are going to hold. We’ll learn about the history of Miami as we cruise South Beach, learn about, and eat, local fresh caught seafood, listen to music, and enjoy our time together.

We quickly set sail, and I find I’m happy, very happy. I’ve always been a man to wear a smile over a frown, but it’s different with Jasmine. She completes me, and it doesn’t matter where we are or who we’re with, it’s beautiful.

“I’m going to have to get used to my world being flipped upside down and not knowing what your plans are, aren’t I?” I ask her as the yacht starts to pick up some speed.

She beams at me. “That would make your life easier,” she assures me.

I throw my head back and laugh. “Okay, I can do that.”

We have a Titanic moment as we stand at the helm of the beautiful boat and look out over the water, her family, and our friends standing on either side of us. This is heaven. If I died right now I’d go with a smile. I want a lot more years with this woman, but I’m perfectly content right here and now.

We take our tour, eat some amazing seafood, and laugh as Isaiah asks a million questions, saying he might just want to move to Florida himself. That earns him a glare from his parents. Then again, maybe the entire clan can relocate. I personally love this place where it has far more nice days than bad. Seattle is okay, but the rain would drive me crazy. Then again, if it’s where Jasmine wants to be I’ll follow her anywhere.

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