I felt sick to my stomach watching them talk to each other like they were old friends on the cusp of becoming more, but there was nothing I could do unless I wanted to cause a scene, and I cared about Jazmin too much to do that.
Still, I continued to watch them while the wait staff brought out our food. I attempted to catch Jazmin’s eye but she never looked my way, and I was beginning to think that was purposeful on her part.
I wasn’t sure whether to be angry or hurt, but I was definitely frustrated. This whole situation wasn’t sitting right with me, but I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. The rest of the night went painfully slow after that. When everyone finished eating, Sabrina’s father gave a toast and talked about how much he loved Hunter and was thrilled he was marrying his daughter. He spoke of them having a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and then it hit me.
Jazmin was my once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. It wasn’t like I hadn’t realized it before, but hearing Sabrina’s father voice his thoughts cemented the notion in my brain somehow. The pieces just came together.
She belonged at my side. Not with this Gary guy. Not with any other man. Sure, I had hoped to have my own biological children, but I didn’t want that more than I wanted her. Children would grow up and move away one day, and I wanted to spend my golden years with Jazmin. No other woman could take her place.
We would adopt, and I would be more than happy with that. In fact, I would count myself a lucky man.
An almost supernatural sense of peace flooded through me as I thought this through, and the tenseness in my shoulders instantly relaxed. It was at that moment that she finally looked at me, and her smile faded as our gazes locked. We just stared at each other while everyone else around us continued to talk. Eventually, her eyes filled with tears, and she glanced away as if unable to look at me one second longer. She excused herself and walked out of the room, and my heart dropped.
She looked like she was in pain, and I was the one who had caused that pain. It would take a lot to make it up to her, but I wanted to try. I jumped out of my seat and followed after her, not caring that half the people in the room were watching me with concerned expressions. Once out of the room, I saw her heading for the restroom, and I took off after her.
“Jazmin, wait!” I jogged up behind her and placed a hand on her arm to stop her.
She came to a halt, but she didn’t turn around to look at me. “Clay, please. I don’t want to talk right now.”
“But we need to. It’s important.”
“I can’t do this tonight.” Her voice was strained, and I could tell it was taking everything she had to hold it together. She wouldn’t even face me but just stared straight ahead.
“Jazmin, I really need to tell you—”
“I asked Sabrina not to sit us next to each other this evening,” she said. She finally turned and made eye contact. “I need my space. If we talk about this, I’ll get upset, and I don’t want to be upset anymore. This is Sabrina and Hunter’s night, and I want to focus on them.” She placed a hand over her heart and bit down on her bottom lip. “Please respect my request.”
I let go of her arm and stepped back. “Okay, fair enough. If you need space, I’ll give it to you, but I’m not dropping this. When is a good time to talk later?”
“Is it really necessary? We’ve already said everything there is to say.”
“Yes, it’s necessary.” I stood my ground because we had to have this discussion. A primal part of me wanted to force her to listen to me, but that would have been a selfish move. She didn’t look like she could take much more, and I had to respect her boundaries.
“We can talk tomorrow after the wedding.”
“All right.” I let out a relieved breath. “Thank you.”
She nodded and brought her gaze to mine. “Just so you know, I’m not interested in him.”
I knew exactly who she was talking about. Gary. “Good.”
She blinked and there was the slightest smile curving her lips upward. It was so small anyone else would have missed it but not me. “He’s a nice guy—don’t get me wrong—but he’s not half the man you are.”
She left me with that tidbit and then turned and headed to the restroom. Warmth flooded through me as well as a good dose of hope. As long as she still cared for me there was a chance of getting back together.
When the rehearsal dinner was over, everyone walked out to the parking lot, but my heart was heavy. I didn’t like that Jazmin and I weren’t able to resolve this tonight, but I was determined to have that conversation tomorrow and make it up to her.
Hunter pulled Sabrina into a hug and kissed her lightly on the forehead while their families stood by and watched. “Very soon we’ll be husband and wife. Are you ready for it?”
Sabrina had her arms wrapped around his waist and she drew back just enough so she could look up at him adoringly. “I can’t wait until the next chapter of our lives.”
There were a few ahhs
