Jasmine

''Jasmine! Wait!''

I hurriedly walked out of the house as he shouted after me.

I knew this was a bad idea. How could I be so foolish?

''Jasmine, It's not what it looks like, I promise,'' he said, coming further into the distance as I was inches from Tatum's car. When I glanced up at her, she was staring at us, confused and shocked.

''Dammit, Jasmine, would you just wait a minute,'' he said as I felt him grab my arm. With a mixture of anger and hurt, I spun around, yanking his hand off of me.

''How could I have been so foolish? ''

We were both standing inches away from Tatum's car, facing each other as emotions ran through. I stared at him for a while, deciphering whether I wanted to slap or kiss him. Slapping him was in the lead, for sure.

''Jasmine, what you saw back there, it's not what you think. '' He said, trying to catch his breath.

I rolled my eyes. ''Oh really? You're telling me I didn't just see you and Gracie's mother standing in your living room kissing?''

''No... I-''

''Save your excuses. I understand now, Cole. '' I said, turning back around and got into the passenger seat.

Tatum looked at me sadly and confused as she started the car.

''What happened? I thought-''

''Tatum, not right now. Please'' She nodded, understanding I needed space right now.

Cole stood there as she drove off until we got far enough not to see him.

Soon we made it to my apartment. Tatum offered to stay with me, but I brushed her off and told her to go home. I needed to be alone right now. The pain I felt before had grown bigger. I felt as though I had fallen into a cactus and my heart had been punctured a million times. It stung at first. Now it's only painful.

I fell asleep quicker than I thought. In the middle of the night, I got a message from Tatum.

Tat: Hey. I know you're not feeling well, so if you don't want to go, that is completely fine.

Me: What are you talking about?

Tat: Next week is my boyfriend's birthday.

Me: Right. Yeah, I'll be there. But you had to ask me this at two in the morning, Tat?

Tat: Oh my Gosh, I forgot the time. I need to be asleep. Okay, sorry. Talk to you soon, girl.

I left it on seen and sat the phone on my nightstand. In less than two minutes, I was out.

Cole

''Do you think she'll want me there?'' I asked my dad as I adjusted my tie.

''I don't know. You broke her heart, son. Twice. I wouldn't be surprised if she shot you when you walked in there.'' He replied with a chuckle.

''Why do you care? Your child's mother is back. That should be your priority. '' Mom said, walking in the living room with us.

Tatum's boyfriend had invited me to the party they were throwing for his twenty-fifth birthday, and I was feeling nervous about it. I knew Jasmine would be there, and the way she looked at me last week showed she didn't want anything to do with me.

''I care about what she thinks of me, Ma. Maybe you should try it. '' I snapped and ran a hand through my hair. Glancing at myself in the mirror one last time, I faced them.

''How do I look?''

Dad looked at me confused, and Ma rolled her eyes with a disgusted look.

''You look like someone vomited on you last year, and you never wiped it off,'' she grumbled.

''Your mother's right, Cole. You look like a bag of shit. ''

''Thanks, guys. You sure know how to cheer up your children when in need. '' I said before walking out.

Quickly getting in my car, I called Cooper, ''Be there in about thirty minutes.''

''Good. I have a sexate I need to get to.''

I knew I would regret asking, ''What the hell is a sexate?''

''You need to get out there. Sexate is when you make it look like you want to go on a date with her, but you're just there to fuck.''

I should have never asked.

''Why don't you just tell her only want to get in her pants?''

''It's more entertaining that way.''

''Is Gracie dressed?'' I asked, choosing to not go any further.

''Yep.''

''Good. Like I said, I'll be there in a minute. '' I said before hanging up.

Jasmine

''You look amazing!'' Tatum shouted over the music as I stepped into her house. The lights were still on and only half the house was packed, so I knew I hadn't arrived too late.

I smiled proudly. ''I'm heartbroken, Tat. Not blind!''

I was wearing a wine red, long sleeve body-con dress that hugged all the right curves. Along with matching red pumps and a small purse.

''Someone's feeling better.'' She said, smiling in surprise. She pulled us over, stepping out of the entrance and into the kitchen.

Over the time I had, I cried, painted, and cried some more. I learned it was worthless. Yes, I loved Cole, but I had to stop whining someday. I was pissed at him for no reason. We weren't together. Had never been together. It was my fault for falling for a man who didn't want to be in a relationship with me. He was a single man who could do whatever and whoever he wanted.

''Enough about me. '' I said, switching the subject, ''What's this big surprise you and Adam have?''

She blushed.'' You can't tell anyone, alright? Everyone's supposed to find out at the same time. ''

''Okay, okay, what is it?''

Pulling me close enough, she whispered, ''I'm pregnant.''

My mouth fell open in shock, ''You're pregnant?''

She immediately slammed her hand over my mouth and gave me a death stare.

''Shh. Are you trying to let half of India figure out?''

I lowered my voice. ''You're having a baby?'' she only nodded, cheesing widely.

I whispered squealed, ''I am so happy for you, Tat! This is amazing. How far along are you?''

''About six weeks,'' she answered, still smiling.

''Oh gosh, I'm going to be an auntie!'' I shouted happily.

Coming to this party was not a bad idea after all.

''Does Ethan know?''

''No, not yet. You know ya'll like to yell. And if I told both of you at the same time, the whole world would know in less than a minute. ''

''Not true. I...'' I trailed off as I felt someone behind me. Smelling his scent, I immediately knew who it was.

''Jasmine, Can I talk to you for a sec?'' Cole said behind us and Tatum's nose flared as she turned to face him.

''No, you cannot.'' She replied simply.

''I just need to talk to her for a quick minute, Tatum, please. I j-''

''Why? So you can break her whole heart? She only has a little left and I don't need you causing a scene-''

I turned around, facing them, but didn't look at Cole. ''Tatum. It's fine. ''

She stared at me, surprised, and looked between Cole and me.

''Fine. Five minutes. I got my eye on you'' she pointed to Cole and walked away.

I inhaled deeply and looked at Cole finally. Likewise, I had to prevent myself from releasing a gasp at how handsome he looked. Dressed in an all-black tuxedo with a black shirt underneath and black dress shoes. He still looked amazing, even with the eye bags under his eyes and looking as though he hadn't slept in years.

''Jasmine.'' he said slowly, as though he was afraid I was going to get angry.'' I wanted to explain what you saw that day.''

I spoke before he could go on. ''It's fine.''

He stared at me astonished, ''What?''

''You're a single man, Cole. You kissed a woman. So what? It's fine.''

''But... what about us?''

I turned around and began walking to everyone else as Adam stood up to speak. I heard Cole follow behind me.

'' There was never an 'us' Cole. I was your nanny. We had sex. You decided it was best if we parted ways and I respect that. Go be with her. It's better that way. '' I said before walking away.