Page 121 of Behind the Bars

“Absolutely. And when you called in you said it was a June 2ndwedding date, right?” Carol askedenthusiastically.

“Yup,” he toldher.

She hurriedaway.

“June 2ndis my birthday,” I stated,confused.

He nodded. “I know, I remember. I just figured, what’s better than your favorite kind of frosting on your birthday cake? It’s something to look forward to comeJune.”

I was in awe ofhim.

“Stop staring at me like that,” he saidsoftly.

“Likewhat?”

He held his hands out to me and took mine in his hold. “Like you’re crazy aboutme.”

We placed our order for our fake wedding cake, and the butterflies that showed up in my gut refused toleave.

“Well, thanks for coming in.” Carol grinned. “And if I can just say, I’ve been doing this for thirty-seven years, and I’ve never seen people who looked more in love than you two. I can see that you’re wild about oneanother.”

Elliott smiled and took my hand into his. “Yeah, she’s a goodthing.”

We thanked Carol for letting us con her out of frosting, and then Elliott guided us to our next location. When we stopped in front of the Steamboat Natchez, my chesttightened.

“Really?” I asked, knowing I’d only been on that steamboat once, and it had been withhim.

“I thought it would be nice. They’re having a Valentine’s cruise with live jazz music and dinner.” The cruise was exactly like the time before, but this time there were many more people onboard to celebratelove.

We danced all night to the music, letting ourselves go and fully embracing one another’s company. The live music was electrifying, and the crowd was lively. It seemed as if the wall Elliott had built up over the years was finally crumbling, and seeing the grown man he’d become was one of the best things that had everhappened.

Toward the end of the cruise, Elliott walked me to the edge of the boat. As I held on to the railing, he stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. The city of New Orleans was lit up as the boat moved down the MississippiRiver.

When it reached the graffiti building we’d viewed as teenagers, Elliott’s mouth gently brushed against my ear and he whispered, “You are be… You are…” His breath against my skin made my heart rate increase. I listened to the deep breaths he took before holding me closer. “You. Are. Beautiful,” he said softly, making me turn around to facehim.

“Eli…you said it. You said beautiful,” I exclaimed. “You couldn’t ever say thatbefore.”

“Well, yeah. I did practice every day for the past sixyears.”

And there itwas.

So small, so tiny, soreal.

Love.

I knew I was young, and I knew it was stupid, but in that moment, I began to fall in love with a quiet boy who quietly cared for me. The boy who was scared and still strong. The boy who not only sheltered me but cared for me when he didn’t have to at all. I hadn’t known much about love, I hadn’t known how it looked, felt, or tasted. I hadn’t known how it moved, how it flowed, but I knew my heart was tight and currently skipping a few beats. I understood the goose bumps covering my arms. I knew this stuttering boy who was sometimes so scared, was someone worth loving for the second timeever.

I knew Elliott Adams was love, and I was falling into him sofast.

Truth was, I had never fallen out of love withhim.

Only this time, unlike before, I refused to let himgo.

“Jasmine?”

“Yes,Elliott?”

“I’m going to kissyou?”

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