Breathless by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online Page B

when it hurts.”
    “I don’t want
to hurt you.” He rolled onto his back and covered his eyes with his
forearm. He knew what it felt like to be the odd man out in a love
triangle. He didn’t want to put anyone else in that situation.
    “I’m a big
girl, Eli. I can take care of myself. Believe me, my eyes are wide
open. I know you still have feelings for Jamie, and if she’d have
you, you’d probably be in her bed right now.”
    That was a
visual Eli didn’t need if he hoped to get a wink of sleep. “Let’s
make a deal. No more talk of Jamie or your ex. We just give it a
little longer and see where this things takes us. What do you
say?”
    “It’s a
deal.”

 
     
     
     
     

Chapter
Five
     
    Jasmine was too
distracted to get any work done, so she slipped out of the office
on her lunch break. She hoped a little retail therapy would lift
her spirits, but as soon as she walked into Alisa’s, she wished she
hadn’t come to her favorite boutique. Ava spotted her and waved. If
Jasmine tried to leave, she would look as if she was avoiding
Brent’s fiancée because she was jealous. Which she wasn’t. Ava
could have Brent. It was Eli Jasmine was concerned about.
    “Hey, Jasmine,”
Ava said, crossing the boutique. Ever since Jasmine visited Ava’s
office to give her the plans to Brent’s dream house, Ava had been
warm whenever their paths crossed.
    “Congratulations on your engagement,” Jasmine said. What a
difference a couple of days could make. When Jasmine learned about
their engagement, she’d felt a sense of loss. She’d known she and
Brent would never find their way back to each other, but it was the
end of the dream. After her revelations, she realized Brent had
found exactly what he needed with Ava, and it was time for her to
do the same.
    “You heard
about that, huh?” Ava rolled her eyes. “That’s one of the
disadvantages of having such a high profile boy--excuse me,
fiancé.”
    Jasmine smiled,
half-expecting it to feel forced, but it didn’t. She was genuinely
happy for them. Maybe running into Ava was exactly what she needed.
“So, let’s see the ring.” A week ago, she would have been sick with
envy over the four-carat, pear-shaped solitaire. Instead, she only
admired its beauty.
    “I told him it
was too big,” Ava said, blushing.
    “There’s no
such thing.” Jasmine squeezed her hand. “It’s lovely, really. I’m
very happy for you.”
    Ava looked
hesitant. “You’re taking this better than I would, Jasmine. If my
ex-fiancé were getting married, I don’t think I could be so
gracious.”
    “I’m glad you
didn’t see me Saturday night. Believe me, it wasn’t pretty.”
Jasmine laughed as she thought about her pity-party.
    Ava touched her
arm. “I understand. I’ve never been engaged before, but I’m sure
this can’t be easy for you.”
    “Actually, it’s
easier than I thought it would be. I’ve accepted that it’s time to
let go. I should have had the good sense to let go a long time
ago.”
    “I thought you
may have been ready when you came to my office to give me the
plans.”
    “In my head I
was ready, but my heart wasn’t quite there. It is now.”
    Ava smiled.
“I’m glad. Um, have you had lunch yet?”
    “No. Why?”
    “I was just
going to the deli across the street before I head back to the
office. Would you like to join me?”
    “Sure, I’d love
to.” Jasmine hoped she could get some insight into the woman Eli
was seeing.
    Ava gestured to
the racks around them. “If you want to do a little damage here
first, I don’t mind waiting.”
    “That’s okay. I
can come back another time.”
    They ran across
the busy street and into the deli. After placing their orders, they
snatched the last available table in the corner. The deli made
their sandwiches quickly and delivered them to the table.
    “So, have you
and Brent set a date yet?” Jasmine asked before taking a bite of
her roast beef sandwich.
    “Not yet. He
doesn’t want to wait, but I