“Why don’t you sit down over here with me and we can chat?” Trinity said as she moved over to the love seat she had brought in when she found out about the baby. She knew she’d want a comfortable place to rest.
“That sounds perfect, tell me all about how you and Drew met and please don’t leave out any juicy details,” Jasmine said to her. Trinity could feel the heat suffuse her cheeks, as she thought about those details. She didn’t know what it was but she liked Jasmine instantly. She was just so friendly, how could you not?
Trinity found herself opening up and telling her about their time on the island and then about the last few days. Jasmine listened the whole time, nodding her head in understanding.
“Seriously, I know he’s behaved like a complete moron but he’s a terrific guy and if you give him a chance you’ll see that,” Jasmine said.
“I’m sure he’s great but I’ve sworn off all business men. I haven’t had good experiences with them. I won’t try and keep the baby from him but I just can’t get into a relationship with the man,” Trinity said and hoped Jasmine would understand.
“I’m sure it will all work out,” Jasmine told her. The bell rung again and in walked the man in question. It didn’t take him long to spot the two women.
“There’s my beautiful girl,” Drew said as he approached. Trinity was starting to blush and then he plucked the baby out of her arms, who immediately started to giggle. Trinity felt a little embarrassed, thinking the comment had been for her and hoped he hadn’t noticed.
“Uncle missed you, Precious,” he cuddled Britney and continued to talk to her. She looked up at him like she could understand everything he was saying. She reached her small hand up and was patting his cheek. Trinity was impressed with how well he handled the baby. If he was half as affectionate with his own daughter, she’d always know her father loved her.
“You have a lot to make up for Drew,” Jasmine said as she glared at him.
“What?” he said and looked from one to the other. They both looked at him like he was dumb, so he shrugged his shoulder and continued to talk to his niece, who adored him. “At least you don’t look at Uncle that way,” he said to her.
“I can’t believe what a moron you were at the resort. Seriously, you bonked her in the head and then had the gall to lie to her. No wonder she’s giving you a hard time,” Jasmine continued. “It was so great to meet you, Trinity. Please come have lunch with me on your next day off. I want to get to know you more and I really want the kids to grow up together,” she said.
“I think that sounds wonderful. I’ll be off on Sunday and Monday, if either of those work for you,” Trinity responded.
“Sunday will work perfectly. Come any time after ten, here’s my address and my phone number. I can’t wait to see you,” she finished. She then gathered the baby up and headed out. Trinity looked at the clock and was relieved it was closing time. She counted out her till and started shutting things down.
“Can I take you to dinner, please?” Drew asked her. She knew she should probably say no because it sounded great. She found she really wanted to spend time with him, which was scary. She was trying to get the words to come out of her mouth and was a bit surprised by her own answer.
“That sounds fine,” she replied. They walked out of the shop and he immediately grabbed her hand. She fought for a moment to pull free but he was holding firm, so she gave it up. It was much easier to let go of the smaller battles, so she had the energy for the bigger arguments.
Chapter Seven
Sunday came quickly and Trinity found she was really excited to see Jasmine, again. She’d always had a hard time making friends because she was so busy all the time and she was painfully shy. She was also always the practical one. When other kids had been out partying, she had been the one studying.
It had all been worth it, though because she now owned her shop and was on her way to her goals being accomplished. She was about ready to leave, when there was a knock on her door. She knew who it was before she opened it up.
“Good morning,” Drew said and she could smell the warm scent of muffins wafting through the bag he was holding. He felt a compulsive need to feed her all the time.
“I can take care of myself, you know?” she told him, although she grabbed the bag and started munching on the delicious pastry. She didn’t know where he bought his pastries but they were heavenly tasting and she soon found herself half-way through a second one.
“I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself but I enjoy feeding you and checking up on you. I’ve never been a father before and I feel a need to make sure my daughter is getting all she needs,” he explained. Trinity rolled her eyes but allowed him to walk with her down the stairs.
“I’m visiting Derek today so we can ride together,” Drew said as he steered her towards his car. She decided to let it go; at least she wouldn’t have to struggle to fit behind the wheel, which was becoming harder with each day.
They rode to the home, chatting a bit. As they made their way through the gate and started up the driveway, Trinity was awed into silence. When the home came into view she gasped out loud.
“This is their house?” she asked him in amazement. It looked more like a resort than someone’s home. Her eyes were drawn to the huge front door and the seemingly endless walls. She didn’t know how they managed to find their way to different areas of the home.
“I know it’s very large. I gave Derek a heck of a time when I first saw it but Jasmine has made it really homey,” he told her. She didn’t see how it was possible to make the mansion look homey, it was simply too massive.
He pulled up by the front doors and they climbed from the vehicle. The door opened up and a young boy came rushing out. “Uncle Drew, you’re here,” he said, as he launched himself into Drew’s arms. He certainly had a way with children.
“Hey Buddy, I think I’m going to whoop you today in some water basketball,” he said, as he ruffled his head.
“No way, I’ve been practicing. You’re going down,” the boy told him. Trinity smiled as the two of them bantered back and forth.
“Jacob, this nice lady is Trinity and this young lad here is my nephew, Jacob,” Drew introduced them.
“It’s nice to meet you,” the boy said politely.
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Trinity said. He was adorable and well mannered.
“Mom is excited for you to come. Follow me, she’s in the kitchen,” Jacob said and ran ahead of them into the house. Trinity couldn’t stop looking everywhere. The home was huge and beautiful but Drew was right about it seeming homey. Jasmine had done a great job at making the place comfortable.
“You guys made it. I’m so glad,” Jasmine said as they stepped into the kitchen. She gave Drew a quick hug and surprised Trinity by throwing her arms around her as well. She pulled back with a giggle. “I remember those days of my belly preceding me into a room,” she finished with a laugh. Trinity could not help but laugh along with her.
“I know, I think I grow a foot every night,” Trinity said.
“You boys go play and let us diss on you for a while,” Jasmine said. The boys obeyed and left them together. The smells coming from the kitchen were amazing and suddenly Trinity’s stomach let out a loud growl. Jasmine laughed, again. Trinity couldn’t believe she was still hungry after eating those rich pastries but she couldn’t seem to get enough. She hoped she didn’t gain a hundred pounds during the pregnancy.
“I remember that as well. Sit down and let me give you a snack, while everything finishes up,” Jasmine said.
“I can wait, I don’t want to be a hassle,” Trinity said.
“Oh, stop being so submissive. You have to learn to stand up for yourself, or seriously these Titan guys will walk all over you,” Jasmine said.
“You’re right, I’d love to have a snack,” Trinity said, with her cheeks turning a little bit pink.
“That’s a start, now get off those feet,” Jasmine said with a smile. Trinity sat down and ate every morsel of food Jasmine put before her. It was incredible.
“You seriously should open up a café,” Trinity told her. “Your food is too good to be wasted.”
“I’ve been told the same thing from these handsome men but I don’t want to lose my love of cooking and if I had to do it for the long hours it takes in order to succeed, I’d no longer enjoy it,” Jasmine said to her.
“You know, I’ve always wanted to open a floral and gift shop, with a little café in it. I thought it would be great to have a section of books people could buy and they could come in and eat, read and order flowers or gifts. If you do ever consider a café, then I hope you’ll talk to me,” Trinity said shyly.
“Seriously that’s something I’d consider. Let me finish our lunch and we can do some research,” Jasmine said with excitement.
“I meant in the future sometime,” Trinity said, a little shocked at her enthusiasm.
“There’s no time like the present,” Jasmine told her. The women continued to talk, while Jasmine finished lunch. As if the men had built in radars, they showed up as the last of the food was finished cooking. Everyone sat around the table enjoying the great food and even better conversation. Trinity was more relaxed than she had been in a very long time.
“Now you boys are on clean up duty. Trinity and I are going to the library to do some research,” Jasmine said mysteriously and the two women took off. Drew looked over at Derek with a question in his eyes and he just shook his head as if he didn’t understand women any more than the next guy did.
The two ladies went into the library and Trinity gasped as she looked around. It was a beautiful room, with books from floor to ceiling. She walked along the shelves noticing there was a little bit of everything. Any reader would be happy to step into this room.
“It’s pretty great, huh? I still have a long way to go before these shelves are filled but I get a few more each week. This library is what sold me on the place,” Jasmine said with excitement. She was pleased to see Trinity loved the room.
“This is amazing. I don’t think I’d ever leave this room,” Trinity finally said.
“I feel the same way. Take your time looking around. I’m going to jump on the computer and do some research,” Jasmine said, as she sat down on the comfortable looking couch and opened up a laptop.
She pulled Trinity over after a while to show her a building for sale. It looked absolutely perfect for what they wanted but the price tag was pretty extravagant.
“I don’t think I can afford that,” she said feeling badly about it.
“Let’s not worry about the cost right now. I know how that sounds but let’s just check it out tomorrow and see what we think,” Jasmine pleaded with her.
“Okay, it doesn’t hurt to at least look,” she agreed. The two women made their plans and Trinity didn’t know who she called but the agent was more than happy to show them the place whenever they were ready. She offered to do it right then but Jasmine told her she’d prefer to wait until the next day.