Chapter 29: See You Tomorrow

*Jasmine*

Jasmine and Zain spent the next few weeks surfing and working at Miguel’s food truck. Jasmine thought she’d never had such a great summer. She even made time to go shopping with her mother, and they started having Movie Nights together.
Zain even joined them a few times. It was awkward at first, but her parents treated him well, and they had a great time. She and Zain didn’t always sit together, which made it a bit easier for her parents.
Zain had also invited her to his mother’s house for Movie Nights, too. Jasmine and Zain always sat together at his house, and Maria never seemed to mind. But they were careful not to show too many public displays of affection in front of her, though.
“So, you want to go out with me tomorrow night?” Zain asked as he drove her home one night after spending time together at his mother’s house.
“Sure! What do you have in mind?”
He gave her a sexy smile. “Since it’s the Fourth of July, I thought we could go out to eat and then watch the fireworks at the beach afterward before I take you home.”
“Sounds good.” They were off from work the next day for the holiday, so she would have the whole day to get ready. “So, what time will you pick me up?”
“Six o’clock sound okay?”
Jasmine nodded, smiling. “I’ll be ready.”
He pulled into the parking lot, into the nearest parking spot, and turned off the car off. Then he reached across the seat to her and smiled. “Come here.”
She slid over, and he wrapped his arms around her. His lips descended upon hers, and she opened for him, her tongue dancing with his in a passionate kiss. He pulled back a moment later and gave her one last sweet kiss. “Well, I think I’d better take you to your door.”
Jasmine chuckled. “I’ll be okay walking alone, but my father will hit the roof if he sees us making out in your truck like this.”
He moved closer, an irresistible smile spreading across his lips. “Let him think what he wants.”
She burst out laughing. “Yeah, right! You don’t know my father very well. Do you?”
“You have a point.” He laughed, shaking his head.
Jasmine slid over and leaned against his chest, pressing her lips to his. Zain wrapped his arms around her, cradling her on his lap. He pulled back a moment later, leaving her breathless.
“I think I’d better go,” she breathed, hating herself for having to leave him.
The more time she spent with him, the more she craved. She could only imagine how difficult it was going to be to say goodbye to him at the end of the summer. But they still had Las Vegas. It was the one thing that kept her going most days. Jasmine just hoped he still felt the same way about her as she did about him. But they still had the rest of the month until then.
“Wait here.” Zain got out of the truck and opened her door a moment later, helped her out, and closed it behind her. Then he took her hand and swung it slightly between them as they walked toward her door. But he pulled her to a stop before they got to her condo and wrapped his arms around her waist as she slid her arms around his neck. Zain smiled as his lips crushed hers in another passionate kiss, causing her heart to pound. He pulled back a moment later and gave her one last sweet kiss. “I love you, Jasmine.”
A thrill went through her body just hearing the words. “I love you, too, Zain.” She smiled as she tilted her head to the side. “See you tomorrow?”
He nodded. “See you tomorrow,” he said against her lips, giving her another quick kiss.
It seemed that this was becoming their standard exit line instead of saying goodbye. But she couldn’t bear to say goodbye to him… ever.
She started to walk away but ran back into his arms and slammed her lips to his, lacing her fingers through his hair, unable to resist. She pulled back a moment later, her heart pounding.
“Keep kissing me like that, and I won’t be able to let you go,” he breathed.
“I’m counting on it.” She held his hand as she walked away. When she finally let it go, she immediately felt his absence. He watched her leave, waiting until she stepped inside.
“There you are!” Her mother smiled. “Did you have fun?”
“Just make sure you’re not having too much fun,” her father grunted, his eyes never leaving the television screen.
Jasmine shook her head, ignoring him. “We just went to Zain’s house and watched a movie with his mother.”
“Some time soon, I want you to make time for us to go shopping together,” her mother said, patting the space beside her on the sofa. But Jasmine sat at the other end. “I want to take you shopping for clothes for school. You’ll be leaving for college next month.”
She nodded, thinking this was as good a time as any to broach the subject. “I’m glad you brought that up.” Jasmine bit her lower lip, unsure how her parents would take it. “I’m going to leave a few weeks early so I can get to school early and get used to everything before school starts.”
Her mother and father both looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Can’t you register for your classes here, dear?” her mother asked, a crease forming between her eyes.
Jasmine let out a deep breath, knowing this wasn’t going to be easy. “Yes, but I’ll need to get my books and whatever else I’ll need,” she lied, hoping her parents bought it.
“You can do that from here.” Her father turned his attention back to the TV show he was watching. “There’s no need for you to get there so early.”
“Yes, there is.” Jasmine stood as she let out a deep breath.
Her father’s head snapped toward her. “Is Zain going with you?”
“Dad!” she scoffed, her blood going cold. “What makes you say that? He’s going to USC, and I’m going to UT Knoxville!”
William gave her a knowing smile. “Sweetheart, I was young once, too. Besides, you’re going back to Maine with us and leaving from there, aren’t you?”
“Dad,” she said flatly. “We’ve already been over this. It’s way too far to drive alone, and we agreed I’d get a car in Tennessee when I get there.”
She just hoped her parents still agreed… or else she had no idea how she was going to meet Zain in Las Vegas.