Color Me Blind (A Divine Love Story Book 1) (34 page)

Jasmine wanted to
retch all over Jeremy.  She felt Blake’s grip on her tighten.  Thank God he knew her so well.  She was ready to pounce on that bastard.  She’d never wanted so badly in her life to hurt another human being with her bare hands.  She felt like the walls of the limo were closing in on her.  She never knew she was claustrophobic.  She wanted out.  She looked away from Jeremy and tried to take deep breaths without being obvious. 

Oh God
, she thought,
what kind of sick joke is this
?

Blake was trying to figure out how in the heck they were going to get through this evening without him knocking Jeremy the hell out and without crushing Lucy.  This was
bad. This was very, very bad.  His first priority was Jasmine.  He needed to make sure she was able to handle this.  He knew he had to be the one with some sense because her common sense was likely to be very far removed. 

All the memories of that horrible weekend came flooding back to his mind. He didn’t want to go back.  He wanted to move forward with their lives.  Why was God allowing this
to happen now? His concern was for his wife. She still had yet to relax.  He didn’t know how far they had to go or how much longer she could stay trapped like this.  He knew that she needed to get out and fast.

Blake asked, “Hey
guys are we almost there?” 

Damon looked at his watch.

“
We should be there in like five minutes or so.” 

Blake nodded. 

Carmen asked, “Blake are you alright?” 

“Yeah I’m fine.
Why do you ask?” 

“Your face looks a little flushed.” 

He thought quickly on his feet.

“Aw, well
you know Jasmine whispered something nasty in my ear.” 

He laughed it off and everyone seemed to buy it.
 

The limo came to a stop. 
Blake and Jasmine were beyond grateful.  They still had no idea where they were going but they let everyone exit before they did.  Carmen was the last out.  Jasmine put her head between her legs and took a few deep breaths.  Blake rubbed her back. He felt so helpless.  She sat up and he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes. 

“No baby don’t
. You can’t cry. We have to figure this out.  It’s going to be okay.” 

She willed the tears away and frantically
asked, “How is it going to be okay?  She’s basically in love with him and she has no clue about any of it.” 

“Jasmine stop!
  Look at me.” 

She
complied. 

“Trust me to handle this okay.  J
ust hang on to me and I’ll make sure you get through this night.” 

She was s
o grateful for him.  She nodded.

“Okay baby.” 

Damon popped his head in, “Y’all coming?” 

“Yeah sorry we got caught up.” 

“Man y’all are just nasty,” Damon laughed obliviously.

Blake held out his hand to help Jasmine out of the limousine.  They realized they were about to board a dinner cruise.  Jasmine walked into his arms. 

She tried to focus on something else.

“You guys
, this is so beautiful.  Thanks.” 

Dam
on asked Carmen for the tickets. She dug them out of her purse.  After a brief wait they were on the ship and looking for their table.  The table covered in white linen was elegantly set for six.  Blake tried to hesitate before taking their seats.  He wanted Jasmine as far away from Jeremy as possible, but good luck with that at a table with an even number of chairs. 

Carmen and Damon sat.
Jeremy sat by Carmen and Lucy sat next to him.  Blake took the seat next to Lucy and held out the chair between him and Damon for Jasmine.  Next to him, Damon was the only other man he trusted without hesitation to protect her.  A waiter came around, filled their water glasses and took their drink orders. 

After he left,
Lucy asked, “Jazzy you okay. You’re awfully quiet tonight?  I thought for sure you’d be the one to ask Jeremy a million questions.” 

Under any other circumstances Jasmine would have laughed at the irony
. She knew plenty about him. 

Jasmine looked at Jeremy, “I’m sor
ry I’m not my usual chatty self. It’s just that I feel a bit nauseous right now.” 

Blake gently kicked her under the table.  It looked like she had found her bearings and her claws were about to come out. 

Carmen laughed, “Maybe you’re knocked up.” 

Jeremy choked on his water.  Everyone looked at him. 

Lucy patted his back, “Are you okay honey?” 

Embarrassed, he coughed to clear his throat. 

After a few moments he couldn’t help but stare at Jasmine when he said, “I’m fine sweetie. That sip was just bad timing I guess.” 

Blake
glowered at him. 

Jasmine said, “No it’s too soon for me to know I’m pregnant
, but if I am I know my husband is going to be there for me every step of the way.” 

Blake kicked her a little harder under the table.  She looked at him and smiled
letting him know she had no intention of stopping. 

Damon said, “Ah man, I hope you don’t get sea sick.” 

Blake said, “I’m sure she will be fine guys.” 

He gave Jasmine a look that begged her to chill out.

Lucy changed the subject, “You know guys
, I just thought of something.  Each of us is together one way or another because of Ahmed.” 

The table became silent.  After a few moments Jasmine raised her water glass. 

A single tear fell from her eye.

“To Ahmed, he was a
friend who always wanted to help everyone around him and make them better.  Even in death he’s still looking out for us.” 

They each raised their glasses and took a sip. 

Jasmine stood and said, “I need a minute guys, I’ll be back.” 

She grabbed her purse and headed
toward the back of the ship in search of the bathroom.  When she went in she checked the stalls and was grateful to find herself all alone.  She leaned down on the counter and took a deep breath.  She fought with everything in her not to let the tears come.  She observed her reflection.

“This is not happe
ning God. This is not happening!  I have to see Your hand in this because I do not believe in coincidence.  I can’t hurt Lucy like that.  She has finally found happiness and I can’t be the one to take it from her.  Is he even worthy of her?  It’s been a long time.  I know I’m not the same person I was back then so maybe he isn’t.  Father, you have to help me.  I can’t do this alone.  I don’t know what to do?  I really want to go out there and show my natural black behind. I have so much anger in my heart for that man.  Please help me get through this night and guide my steps.”

Her cell phone signaled a text.  It was Blake asking if she was okay and
if she needed him.  She smiled.  She loved him so much.  She didn’t know why God saw fit to give him to her but she was grateful.  She texted back that she was okay and she would be out in a second. 

She checked her
make-up and refreshed her lipstick.  She took a deep breath and headed back towards their table.  She spotted Blake hovering near the dance floor.  She smiled when he saw her.  He opened his arms and she gratefully slipped into them. 

A soft love ballad was playing. 

He began to slow dance with her and said, “I thought maybe you could use a little time away from the group with your co-conspirator.” 

She laughed, “You’re a genius.” 

“Is that why you married me?” 

“It is indeed.” 

His face got serious.

“You okay baby.” 

“Yes. I just had a consultation with God so I’m waiting for Him to kick in before I act up.” 

He laughed
.

“
Yeah I thought I was going to have to step on your toe to shut you up.” 

“Bringing Ahmed into the conversation was a splash of cold water on my anger.” 

“Lucy has no idea you guys ever dated, though I’m sure she knows he went to school with us.” 

“I was thinking
Lucy is already in love with him.  I don’t want her to know about what I did and I don’t want her to know we ever had a relationship.” 

“Baby
, don’t you think that’s a little dangerous.  What if he tells her?” 

“I don’t think he will.” 

“I’m more worried that he is still a jerk.  If he hurts Lucy I will have to put my hands on him since you wouldn’t let me do it back in college.” 

She shook her head
. Blake would always have that temper so it was pointless to argue. 

“Baby listen
, what if he’s changed.  I mean we have?”

“Babe
he just dropped you like you were nothing and left you alone to deal with what you both created.  He never tried to contact you to see if you were okay or anything.  I’m sorry, but I don’t care who he is now. I will always see him as who he was.” 

Jasmine didn’t want to go back
to that dark time in her life but she knew it was inevitable. 

“Let’s hit pause o
n this and go back to the table. I’m not quite ready to have my sins on display.” 

“Okay baby.” 

They walked back to the table hand-in-hand.  There was a conversation underway when they took their seats. 

Carmen said, “Jeremy was just telling us that he went to school with us.” 

Jeremy locked eyes with Jasmine.

“I transferred to another college after my first semester.” 

Blake knew exactly why he’d transferred too, the coward. 

He ask
ed him, “What made you transfer?” 

Jasmine didn’t miss Jeremy’
s jaw clinch before he answered.

“I just thought Tallahassee was a better environment for me.” 

Blake nodded and resisted saying something nasty and completely inappropriate. 

Damon said, “Guys
, they say they will be serving dinner in about forty five minutes, so this is the perfect time to go and check out the deck.  I would love a moment alone with my lady.” 

Carmen blushed.
  Damon and Carmen were the first to leave the table hand-in-hand. 

Lucy gushed,
“Oh my God you guys they are so cute.” 

Blake said, “I’ve never seen Damon quite like this.  Carmen has definitely put a spell on him.” 

Jasmine chimed in, “Well when it’s real, all bets are off. Damon’s trifling ways are no match for true love.” 

Jeremy asked Lucy, “Shall we go and check out the deck?” 

She smiled, “We shall.” 

Jasmine lo
oked at Blake, “I could actually use some fresh air.” 

“Then let’s get you some.”

∞∞∞

Damon and Carmen were leaning
against a rail out on the deck.  The breeze was perfect as they looked out over the sparkling water in the moonlight. He looked at her feeling like a pretty lucky man to have her in his life.  He ran a finger down her cheek.

“I have a gift for you.” 

She lit up.

“Really?  What is it?” 

He pulled a long velvet box out of his pocket. 

She
grinned, “Oh wow that looks like jewelry.” 

Damon laughed.

“Just open it.” 

She opened the box and a one carat white gold diamond tennis bracelet twinkled up at her. 

She gasped, “Baby it’
s so beautiful.  What is this for?” 

“Just for being you.” 

She was shocked to know she wanted to cry.  This man brought out sides of her she thought she had long ago buried. 

“You look like you’re fighting back tears.” 

She chuckled.

“Don’t remind me. 
You know you’re setting the gift bar pretty high if you start off with diamonds.” 

He laughed.

“You’re worth it. 
I’m pretty sure I can afford to keep you spoiled for years to come.” 

Her face held
surprise when it registered what he was saying. 

She asked, “Damon what are you saying?” 

“I’m saying that for the first time in my life I’m in love.” 

She couldn’t fight the tears now and they spilled out. 

He wiped them with his thumb and asked, “Why do you try so hard not to show any emotion?” 

She took in a deep breath and responded,
“When I was a little girl my dad was so hard on us.  See he was an immigrant and once he became legal he worked very hard to make a good life for his family.  He was strict about us speaking correct English and the one thing he drilled into us was never to be weak.  He didn’t want anyone to have any reason to automatically assume we were lazy or that we didn’t earn our own way.  He said crying was a sign of weakness and his children would never be weak.”