Chapter Seventy Four

They hugged. They kissed. They touched. They revelled in the sensual magic of the night, strolling along the wet sand with the dying froth of waves caressing their feet, swimming in the rock, pool, their bodies sliding around each other in the buoyant water, teasing, inviting, savouring the freedom to give and take every pleasure in being together.

To Jasmine, he was wonderful. She couldn't have enough of him. And he shared her greed, her lust to have everything possible packed into this one night. Nothing wild was too wild. There was no shame in anything. They loved each other in the water, on the sand, against a rock with the spray of the sea showering over them.

What words were spoken did not relate to any other time or place orcircumstance. The past and the future had no bearing on what they shared. There was no breaking of that mutual understanding, no attempt to break it, or change any of the parameters of that one promise...a night to remember.

They didn't sleep.

They left the beach at dawn.

It was time to part.

_______

'If you miss him this much, then why don't you give him a call?' Favour asked Jasmine, who turned to her with an eyebrow raised.

'Me? Miss who?' she asked. She lifted her hand to her chest. 'I have no idea what you mean'

Favour frowned. 'You know exactly what I mean, Jasmine.' she replied. 'Collins Templeton. You miss him. I can see it in your eyes... You even zone out sometimes and I keep acting like I don't notice. You know, you can just give him a call. You know you want to.'

'How do you know I'm not thinking about work. What makes you so sure that I'm zoning out because I'm thinking about him?'

'I can't believe you expect me to answer that.' said Favour. 'You're my sister and I know you. You don't love work that much. Call him'

Jasmine shrugged. 'I can't. We agreed we didn't want anything more from each other apart from that night together. I guess that kinda makes it special in some way.... And besides, even if I wanted to call, I don't even have a way to reach him'

'I could ask Leonard for his number' Favour piped. 'I'm sure he will be glad to give it.'

'Oh there's no need for that' said Jasmine hastily as she stood up. 'It's better this way. Trust me. It's only been one week. I'm sure with time this whole thing will pass. It's just a little crush... It's means nothing and I'm sure that whatever it is I'm feeling, it will pass soon'

Favour stared at her sister for a few seconds. 'Well, if you say so. But just know that I'm here... In case you change your mind sometime'

______

Nine months later...

Jasmine set the crystal tiara carefully over Favour's topknot of brightblond curls, watching her sister's reflection in the mirror to position this last piece of wedding finery with perfect precision.

'There!' she said with a satisfied smile, stepping back to fluff out the veil attached to the tiara.

'You look fabulous! A princess bride if ever I saw one.'

Favour's vivid blue eyes sparkled with happy anticipation. 'I hope Leonard thinks so.' she said.

'How could he not?' Jasmine's gaze dropped to take in the heavily beaded and embroidered bodice of the wedding dress. It was moulded to every feminine curve like a second skin. Little cap sleeves led into alow heart-shaped neckline, echoed at her tiny waist with a slight dip from which a many-layered tulle skirt frothed to the floor. It was pure romance and typically Favour , 'You'll take his breath away.'

They shared a sisterhood smile.

'You look fabulous, too, Jasmine. That dark red suits you.' It did. And the simple elegance of the strapless satin sheath was much more her style. Though Favour had stuck her with a flower in her hair, a dark red rose nestled against the topknot of curls which were more unruly than the bride's but hopefully fastened securely by pins.

AH four bridesmaids were wearing their hair up like Favour's. At the moment, the other three, close friends of her sister, were out of the room, checking out the bouquets which had just been delivered. Favour seized on the opportunity for a private chat.

'You know what would really make me happy?' she pressed.

'I thought you were over the moon already, marrying the man you love.'

Favour simply continued speaking. 'if you'd just give Khalid a chance. He's Leonard's best man. As my chief bridesmaid, you'll be partnered with him and...'

'Please...' Jasmine rolled her eyes in exasperation at her sister's persistent matchmaking, '...don't start on that again.'

'But he's really nice. I've met him several times. And he hasn't picked up with anyone since his divorce.'

'You want to land me with a man who has a failed marriage behind him?'

'Now you're being nit-picky. You've got to face it, Jasmine. The field of eligible guys narrows down after you're thirty and you've been manless since you finally had the sense to get rid of Robert.'

'And quite contentedly so, thank you. I have my goldfish to keep me company.' She hadn't been allowed to have a dog in her apartment but no one objected to goldfish as pets.

Favour gritted her teeth. 'Goldfish cannot take the place of a man in your life.'

'You're right. They're something else. Goldfish love you unconditionally. They are always there for me. They're beautiful to look at and they never let me down '

'Now you're being cynical.'

'Not at all. Just telling it how it is.'

'Goldfishes,' Favour scoffed. ‘Whoever heard of fish being called after characters from Gone With the Wind?'

It seemed apt at the time, since she'd bought them after her night with Collins Templeton... a night that was gone with the wind though she'd always remember it.

'At least it shows there's some romance left in your soul,' Favour reasoned, returning to her pitch. 'Khalid could be good for you.'

Jasmine shrugged, not wanting an argument today of all days. 'Well, if he is, he is.'

'So you will give him a chance.'

'I'll dance with him at your wedding and hope he doesn't tread on my toes.'

Favour relaxed into a laugh which ended in a rueful grimace.

'A pity Collins Templeton couldn't make it today. You made such a striking pair when Leonard and [i fixed up that blind date for the two of you.'

'Mmm...' It was the most non-committal reply Jasmine could come up with.