Chapter 10: Tell Me
*Jasmine*
Jasmine
Over the next few days, Jasmine and Zain went surfing every day. It was an unspoken, simple vow between them. And Jasmine found that she looked forward to each day, knowing she would spend it with Zain. Then, when it was time to go, she hated to leave his side in the afternoon.
“Where are you going?” her mother asked one morning just before she was going out to meet him.
“Surfing.” Jasmine was already getting a nice tan from being out in the sun every day. On this day, she wore a floral summer shorts set over her bikini, thankful that her mother had insisted on getting them.
Her mother’s lips were set in a straight line. “I don’t want you seeing that boy anymore.”
“Mom, he’s a great person.” Jasmine hurried to gather her things, not in the mood to hear her mother’s complaints again. If Zain had been a boy of society from what her parents deemed as a “good family,” her mother wouldn’t be complaining at all. But that was one of the things that Jasmine liked about Zain. He was himself. He never put on airs, and he always told the truth.
“You should be dating a nice boy of society,” her mother continued, following her around the apartment. “And you’re gone all day, and I don’t get to see you at all!”
Jasmine turned around, letting out a deep breath. “Mom, I’m home by four o’clock every day, and I spend every evening with you and Dad. Besides, Dad’s gone all day, and you’re shopping or doing what you like.”
“I thought you and I could go see a movie together today,” her mother added, biting her lower lip, pulling on the pouty mother act.
“Mom, I promised Zain that I would meet him today, and he’s waiting.” But Jasmine sighed, relenting. “Would you mind terribly if we go tonight?”
“Why don’t we go tomorrow?” her mother suggested, then looked closely at her exposed shoulder. “You’re getting too dark, dear. Make sure to wear your sunscreen.”
Jasmine smiled. “I always do.” She felt guilty for spending every day with Zain and neglecting her mother. “Okay. Tomorrow, we’ll have a girl’s day. Lunch, shopping, and a movie?”
Her mother kissed the top of her head. “Okay, dear.” Then she looked into her eyes, raising her eyebrows. “I’m going to hold you to it now.”
Jasmine nodded. “I’m going to hold you to it, too.” Feeling better, she ran toward the door before her mother could think of any other reason to keep her home. “Love you, Mom!”
“Oh, my!” she said behind her, placing a hand to her chest. “I love you, too!”
Then Jasmine was out the door.
As she walked along the beach, she felt guilty that her mother would be so surprised that she had told her that she loved her. She had never realized it before, but after meeting Zain, Jasmine realized how unaffectionate she and her family were. Zain hadn’t said anything close to “I love you,” but he held her hand without thinking about it or kissed the top of her head, showing her affection all the time. And little things mean a lot.
She looked up, and Zain was walking toward her, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt instead of his usual swimming trunks. “Hi!” she shouted, waving. “What? No swimming trunks today?”
He nodded toward the pier. “I thought we could do something different today. Would you mind?”
She smiled, thrilled at the prospect. “What did you have in mind?”
He shrugged. “I thought we could go to the pier and watch the waves. Or we could go to the lighthouse.”
Jasmine knew she should tell her mother that she was leaving. But after the conversation they just had, she wasn’t going to tempt fate. Besides, she was eighteen and free to do as she liked... within reason. And when she goes to college in the fall, she’ll have more freedom than she’ll know what to do with. So, she may as well start exerting it now.
“Let’s do both,” Jasmine replied.
Zain looked down at the beach items in her hand. “Either you can take your things home, or we can lock everything up in my truck. It’s up to you.”
“Let’s lock it up in your truck.” Jasmine felt a thrill of adventure rush over her.
“Sounds good.” He reached for the beach blanket in her hand, and she let him carry it for her. “Are you hungry?”
She smiled. “Yes, I could eat.”
A smile lit his luscious lips. “Have you eaten anything yet?”
Jasmine shook her head. “No, not yet. You?”
“Nope! Not yet.” He slipped his free arm around her shoulders as they walked together. With Zain, it felt natural.
They rounded the corner headed toward the parking lot. Jasmine hadn’t realized it until then, but she hadn’t gone anywhere besides the beach since they arrived at South Pointe. “You want to go somewhere? Do something?”
He shrugged, lifting one corner of his perfect lips. “Like what?” Since she had kissed him before, she had wanted nothing else but to kiss him again.
She smiled, feeling a rush of color fill her cheeks. She looked up and realized they were walking toward a pickup truck, and she lost her nerve. “Is this your truck?” she asked, changing the subject. I mean, how was she going to ask him to show her how to kiss? He was the first man she had ever kissed, and she wanted more. And she was sure that he was experienced.
He gave her a heartbreaking smile, placing his hand on the side of his truck, and leaned in. “Don’t change the subject.” He gently brushed her cheeks with his fingertips as he looked into her eyes. “Don’t be embarrassed. You can ask me anything.”
Jasmine looked around for a distraction... anything to prolong this agony. On one hand, she wanted to ask him so badly that she was about to bust. But on the other hand, she was so embarrassed that she was about to bust.
Across the parking lot, she saw Miguel. “Look! It’s your uncle!” She waved. Miguel looked up and smiled, and he waved back.
Zain ignored him, moving a little closer with his hand still on the truck. Then he backed away to put her beach blanket in the back of his truck, giving her a moment of relief. But when he turned back, it was worse. This time, he placed both hands on the truck on either side of her, his lips only inches from hers, his eyelashes half-mast, looking sexy as hell, the heat of his body intense. “Tell me.”