Page 51 of Lost Times

“Where is that man of yours? I was excited to meet him.”

I’d forgotten to tell her.

Jasmine’s face fell and I winced, running a hand through her hair with an internal sigh. “His secretary scheduled a meeting today that couldn’t be moved, but it sounds like he and Jasmine were planning a personal game at home if you want to watch?”

That at least helped pick up Jasmine’s mood. She nodded, smiling up at Mom. “Yeah, I wish he could be here, but he promised to be at the next one,andhe even asked me to show him how to play.”

Mom let out a thoughtful hum, her eyes entirely too knowing as they locked on me. “That’s good, and I’m glad he offered something else to do with you.” Those eyes bore through me, something lingering under the surface that I couldn’t name.

Then, in a blink, it was gone and Mom was all smiles.

“Well, we don’t want to be late for the game, lead on!”

She hooked an arm with Jasmine and made a grand sweeping gesture, the girl laughing at it as I followed at the back. Something about the look she’d had tugged at my mind. It was almost plotting, but that made no sense.

There was nothing here to plot, unless Mom was considering taking Jasmine out for ice cream to cheer her up?

Yeah, that was probably it.

Putting the subject to the side, I kept both of them in sight as Jasmine brought us to the back of the school, where the fields were. The soccer one was primed and ready, the grass freshly mowed with new paint to mark the boundaries.

Most of the kids were already there, and a few ran over to pull Jasmine away once they saw us. She hesitated, eyes going to me, and I waved her on with a smile. Once she was out of earshot, though, Mom hummed.

“I can practically feel the worries drifting off you.”

I winced. “Yeah...” Shaking my head, I sighed. “There’s nothing he could do to reschedule that meeting, and it was something he’s been working toward for years. I just wish…”

I trailed off, but Mom picked up where I left off, taking one of my hands and squeezing comfortingly. “There’s nothing wrong with wishing things were different sometimes. Just don’t forget to enjoy the good times thatarehere.”

As if in response to that, Jasmine looked over and waved. I returned it, letting some of the melancholy go. She was right. Whatever happened in the future, we’d see about it when it came. Right now though? I had a little girl’s game to record.

Taking out my phone, I set it up on the portable tripod I bought just for this purpose, only to pause when I noticed Mom taking out her phone too.

“You don’t have to do that, I’ll send the video to you and Dad afterward.” I said, but she shook her head, her smile warm.

“I know, but after I mentioned how you recorded a live for Ludwig to watch her recital, your father insisted on trying it. He wants to see everything ‘as if he were here.’” She shook her head, affection clear. “Stubborn man, but that’s one of the many things I love about him.”

That did sound like Dad.

I shrugged, “Okay.” Then I turned back to the game, shoving all thoughts of worry to the side. I was here to support Jasmine, and that’s what I’d do. With that in mind, I cheered her on with my best smile.

Chapter 21

Ludwig

The office felt even more stifling than normal and without a doubt, it was thanks to Jasmine and the game I was missing. Long, empty hallways all but echoed around me, the cream carpets and pale walls seeming sterile and unfeeling.

At least Jasmine had seemed happier with the idea of teaching me how to play soccer. I usually wasn’t one for sports, but if it made her smile then it’d be well worth it. I’d have to dig out my jeans again, since slacks were decidedlynotthe proper attire for that, but it was a small price to pay.

Besides, Thalia had certainly seemed to appreciate how the jeans looked on me.

Standing outside of the meeting room, I rubbed the bridge of my nose, fighting to relieve some of the tension built there.

On the bright side, Thalia wasn’t angry with me over any of this. If she had been, it would have made it even harder than it already was. Despite this being the opportunity I’d worked for years for, I didn’t want to be here, and if she’d asked me to stay for the game, I probably would have.

But neither she nor Jasmine had asked, each of them seeing me off with a smile despite the meeting being what pulled me away in the first place.

Those were my girls, and I adored them more than my next breath.

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