"Sorry. I...I think I said something wrong," Jasmine mumbled from behind me.
"No," I said softly and straightened, keeping my back to her. "You didn't. It's just...complicated."
"Oh. Okay." She shuffled some papers while I collected my wits.
I turned to her, inhaling deeply and ran my fingers through my ponytail. I couldn't talk to anybody about my feelings for Jasper Wells. I had no close friends. Olivia did not understand my dilemma. And sometimes, sharing with a stranger was better than anything.
"So...mind if I ask you a question?" I asked and mentally cringed because that in itself was a question.
She looked at me and nodded. "Sure. Go ahead."
I looked towards the bookcases. "What do you do when you find yourself torn between two guys? I mean, not exactly torn as in you don't know whom to choose but...you already love them both but you don't know whom to hurt." Jesus. Was I even making any sense? "Whose pain is greater or should be given more importance? How do you decide that?"
Jasmine smiled at me, again with that kindness and folded her arms. "Skye. I'm no expert when it comes to relationships," she said. "I've screwed up more times than I can count. It's never easy being torn between two men. The heart just doesn't want to let go." She studied my expression and for a brief second, her face clouded with pain as if she was remembering something particularly difficult. "I just know that someone who truly loves you will always work towards taking your pain away, not adding to it. That's how love works. It isn't always about getting what you want. The right thing to do is to let go of someone whose pain you feel you are adding to."
I swallowed hard and a tear rolled down my cheek because I kind of understood what she said. It wasn't about how much you loved someone and wanted them. It's what you were willing to do to take their pain away for good. Even if it meant removing yourself from the equation. Jasmine sort of stared at me like she was frozen and then the door to the library opened and Armaan stood there.
"Hey, you two done talking? Cole wants to head back-"
He paused as he took in my expression and then glanced between me and his wife before shaking his head at Jasmine in frustration.
"Baby, seriously, the poor thing is crying her eyes out and you can't even pat her back or something, come here." Before I could understand what was happening, Armaan pulled me into a hug and I found myself enveloped in his arms, my face brushing the silky fabric of his jersey which also absorbed my tears. A strong scent of some expensive cologne filled my nostrils. I was too shocked to move.
"You okay, sweetheart?" His voice rumbled in his chest and I squeaked a reply, realising he meant me.
Then he drew me back by the arms and gave me a sympathetic look. Like he felt what I was feeling. It was so strange and so....well, strange. Just strange all around.
"You want me to buy you some time with the guys until you're ready to leave?" he asked again in a low voice.
I shook my head and chewed on my lip, feeling a little overwhelmed by his familiar attitude.
He smiled at me. "Okay. I'll just let them know you're coming." His gaze went to Jasmine who was watching us stiffly and I thought maybe she was jealous but Armaan leaned forward and murmured in my ear. "She's not a hugger. I'm the only one who can get her to use the language of touch." Then he winked at me and strode out of the library, whistling something.
I turned to Jasmine who looked embarrassed. "Sorry," she said. "I really didn't mean to upset you."
I shrugged it off. "It's okay. I'm just more emotional than usual lately." I started to walk out of the library and she followed me silently. I glanced at her surreptitiously. "So...um...you don't mind about...er...well, when he hugged me and-"
Jasmine frowned at me in confusion, then seemed to understand what I was babbling about again. "Oh. Trust me, I have no problem regarding his familiarity with the opposite sex. Once, he propositioned a woman right in front of me in a restaurant and then when she wrote him her number and agreed to meet him later, he laughed before throwing away the napkin because he said he just wanted to see how that would go...and to make sure he had not lost his playboy touch after being married."
I opened my mouth in shock but it was also kind of funny. I was in awe of how their relationship seemed to be a jealousy-free zone.
"But don't worry, he wasn't trying anything like that with you," she went on hurriedly. "He just gets really emotional at times and can't stand to see people crying." She lowered her voice. "Plus, he's definitely a hugger."
I laughed then, feeling light-hearted once more and thanked them both so many times before I left. It felt like I had met the most wonderful pair of people when all the time, I had been dreading this dinner. Life can surprise you like that.
Cole opted to drive back this time and I sat shotgun because Jasper said he had a headache and needed to sleep it off.
"I'm so glad you decided to bring me out here," I told Cole. "And I can't believe you knew who his wife was all this time. They're both so amazing. And oh my God, I met Crystal Reynolds!" I finally let go in the car and squealed and Jasper groaned in protest at the back.
I shut up immediately.
"Sorry," I said softly. Yeah. I was definitely adding to his pain.
"I found out about her
