Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Once he was out of sight, she turned her attention back to Jasmine, only to find the other woman staring. “You must think this is really awkward, coming to meet the new girl in town who’s looking for friends. I told Cullen not to bother, but…”
So was that how Pike had pitched this meeting to Jasmine, as an opportunity to expand her social circle? It was smart. It made sense. Heavenly was surprised he’d even thought of it. What rationale had he given Jasmine to explain her own reason for being here? “Not at all. I’ve only been in LA a few months, and making friends in a city this size is hard.”
Jasmine relaxed a little. “Especially without a nightlife. I don’t know how much Cullen told you about me…”
“Almost nothing.” A way to win Pike brownie points zipped through her brain. “I assumed he didn’t want to break your confidence. He’s really good about that.”
“He told me next to nothing about you, too. Where are you from?”
“Wisconsin. I moved here to get my dad more advanced medical treatments last fall. But he died a few weeks ago.”
Jasmine’s expression softened, and Heavenly felt as if she was finally seeing the real woman. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. Me, too. So you’ve only lived in LA for a few weeks?”
“I’m the full-time caretaker for an older couple, hence the lack of nightlife.”
So how had she met River?
“The weather back east got too cold for them, so they decided to move where it’s warm year-round,” Jasmine went on. “I’m really glad they chose LA. My brother lives here. I haven’t spent much time with him in a decade. He’s older than me, and we’ve grown apart. So…I’m hoping we’ll get close again.”
“I hope you do, too. You didn’t want to meet any of his friends?”
“I don’t want to intrude. Besides, he works in a male-dominated environment, and I’m not looking for dates. Honestly, I really intended to make my own friends over time. Then Cullen stepped in. You met him through your boyfriend?”
“Yeah. They’ve been friends for years.” Heavenly smiled. “Tell me more about you.”
“Not much to say. I didn’t want to go into my family business back home. Neither did my brother. While I was in high school, I worked part-time at a senior care community. There, I met the couple I work for now, Jane and Arthur. Jane’s brother and his wife lived at the facility, and after they passed, Arthur started having some health problems, but they wanted to stay at home. Long story short, they hired me. I’ve been with them since. They’re amazing, and I love what I do. They’re more like family than my own.”
“You’re not close to your parents?”
“God, no. Honestly?” Jasmine sighed. “My dad is a philandering asshole and my mother is a professional victim, full of wine and martyrdom. Together they’re toxic. Aren’t you sorry you asked?”
“No. I’m just sorry your relationship with them isn’t good. My dad and I were incredibly close. But my mom ran out when I was fifteen. I’ve never seen or heard from her again, so I understand.” Heavenly smiled wryly. “You didn’t even ask, so aren’t you sorry I opened my mouth?”
Jasmine gave her hand an empathetic pat. “Not at all.”
The waitress came to drop off glasses of water and take their order. Afterward, the young woman with the long braid brought their iced tea before she disappeared again, apron swishing.
“Have you eaten here before?” Jasmine asked.
“No. Pike picked this place.”
“You call him by his last name?”
“My boyfriend does, so…”
“Makes sense.” Jasmine sipped her drink. “What do you know about Cullen?”
“He’s”—Heavenly tried to think of something that wouldn’t be a lie—“quiet. He’s surprised me a time or two. The tattoos and the piercings, the camo and the attitude? I think they hide a decent guy.” Maybe. “He doesn’t date around, from what I can tell.” But she had no idea what—or who—he did at Shadows.
Jasmine shrugged. “That’s not really my concern. We’re just friends.”
Heavenly nibbled on her lip, trying to decide if she should say more. “I think he’s hoping to be more than your friend.”
“I know. He’s made that clear.” She grimaced.
“You’re not interested?”
The redhead took a long time answering. “Right after I moved here, I met someone else. The circumstances were really unusual. We hooked up, and…”
Did she mean River? “You’re seeing that guy now?”
“No.” She winced. “I kind of…ran out on him in the middle of the night. He doesn’t even know my name. But I admit, I’m a little hung up on him.”
Heavenly tried not to gape. She hadn’t seen that coming. How much did she dare say?
“What is it?” Jasmine drilled. “Your face… What’s that expression about?”
Drat. She’d never been good at hiding her emotions. “Are you talking about River?”
Jasmine’s eyes went wide as she reared back and blinked. “H-how do you know?” Then her face soured. “Cullen told you.”