“I’ll tell you everything tonight. But I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” I almost sayanything. Because, let’s be honest, I probably would do anything for this man.
“I need you to promise me you won’t leave this house,” he says.
“Why?”
“Jazzy? Please, just stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kisses me once more and then he’s walking out the door.
Something’s happened. I can tell. I just don’t know what. I know I’m not going to be able to get back to sleep now. It’s pointless.
Rolling out of bed, I find my robe and then head down to the kitchen. I need coffee.
“Morning,” my dad says. He’s at the stove, making pancakes.
I smile. I love my dad’s pancakes. “Morning. Are you making pancakes?”
“Yes, it’s been way too long since I’ve made them for you,” he says.
“And me! I’m here too, also your kid,” Aiden pipes up from where he’s sitting at the kitchen counter.
“I’m well aware who my children are, Aiden,” Dad retorts.
“Don’t worry, Aiden. You’re still my favorite sibling.” I pick up the coffee pot and pull a mug down from the cabinet. After filling my cup, I go and sit next to my brother.
“We don’t have favorites in this house,” my dad says.
Aiden snorts. “Sure you don’t.” He looks to me. “We all know Jazzy is the favorite.”
“I am not.”
“She’s not the favorite. She’s just the nicest. And the cleanest,” Dad clarifies.
“Smartest too.” This comes from CJ as he enters the kitchen. “Are we just listing Jazzy’s good traits? When do we get to name all the shitty ones?”
“I don’t have any shitty traits,” I tell him.
“You have one.” CJ smirks.
“What is it?”
“Your choice in men,” he says.
I shrug. He’s not wrong. I have chosen some shitty boyfriends. Current one excluded. I think my family is having more of a hard time forgiving Jake for breaking my heart than I am.
Have I forgiven him?I think I have. I like what we are building together now. I like the prospect of a future with him.
“I’m ready to show you my presentation today, Dad,” I say, changing the subject.
“Really? I can’t wait.”
“So, when can you squeeze me into your busy schedule?”
“Jasmine, we’re in the same house. Just come into my office when you’re ready,” he says.
“I’m trying to be professional. No nepotism, remember,” I remind him.
My brothers laugh at me. “Right, because being the daughter of the boss isn’t going to get any nepotism,” CJ says.