Page 28 of Under His Protection
“I’m sure he did.”
“Hey, guys!” Liam calls from down the hall, as he and Jasmine walk toward us holding hands. “Perfect timing.”
The four of us arrive together at Layla and Jason’s apartment. Liam knocks, and Jason opens the door and invites us in.
After all the girls hug, and the guys say hello, we take seats in the living room.
“So, what sounds good?” Layla asks. “We should go ahead and order.”
After a brief debate, we decide to order Chinese food from a neighborhood carry-out.
Jason goes to the kitchen and grabs three beers from the fridge. “Who wants a beer?”
Liam says yes, but I decline. I’m driving Haley home this evening, so I stick to my no-alcohol-if-I’m-driving rule. Jasmine takes a beer. Layla opts for sparkling water. Her medications don’t mix well with alcohol.
And of course, Haley is underage, and she asks for a soft drink. No one here would give her a hard time if she wanted a beer, but my girl is a stickler for the rules. I guess that’s fitting since she wants to be a lawyer one day.
The six of us sit around the kitchen table and talk while we wait for the food to arrive.
Everyone wants to know how Haley likes being a college student. Liam asks me about what happened earlier this week, so I end up telling that story all over again.
Before we know it, we get a call from the front desk downstairs letting us know our food is here.
After we’re done eating, Layla gets up from the table to fetch six wine glasses. She passes them out as Jason brings a chilled bottle of pink bubbly to the table and pops the cork.
“It’s non-alcoholic strawberry champagne,” Layla says with a bashful grin.
After Jason pours everyone a glass, Layla says, “As you all know, Jason and I are engaged to be married.” She holds up her left hand to show off her engagement ring. “We’ve decided we want a small wedding at my parents’ house. It’ll just be family and a few close friends. Anyway—” She pauses to smile at Jason. “Jason and I would like to ask you all to be part of our wedding party. Will you two girls be my bridesmaids?”
“And would you guys be my groomsmen?” Jason asks me and Liam.
There’s no need to wait for answers. The girls are screaming and hugging.
Liam and I both stand to shake Jason’s hand.
“I’d be honored,” I say, truly meaning it. I’ve never been asked to be a groomsman before.
“Like you needed to ask,” Liam says as he pulls Jason in for a hug. “Of course, I will. Congrats, man. Who’s going to be your best man?”
“Ian,” Jason says, smiling at Layla. “I thought it would be fitting that my future wife’s brother stand beside me.”
“My dad will walk me down the aisle,” Layla says, “and my brother will stand up there with us. It’s perfect.”
Once we’re all seated again, Liam raises his glass. “While we’re all here, I’d like to toast the beautiful love of my life, Jasmine Grant. She received her first-degree black belt in Taekwondo recently, and she’s now certified to teach it. This is the third form of martial arts she’s now certified to teach.”
We all applaud Jasmine, Liam most of all. He’s so proud of her accomplishments. In just a few short years, she’s gone from living on the streets to working as a professional for McIntyre Security teaching martial arts and self-defense to clients and employees.
“How about a demonstration?” Jason asks.
Jasmine glances back at the living room. “I don’t think there’s room—”
“Sure there is,” Jason says. “We can move the furniture.”
As the guys and Jasmine are pushing the furniture up against the wall to clear floor space, Haley’s phone rings.
“It’s my dad,” she says as she takes the call. “Hi, Dad.”
She listens a moment, and then says, “Yes, we’re still here. Liam and Jasmine are going to do a Taekwondo demonstration.” She pauses to listen. “Sure, come on over.” She ends the call. “I hope you guys don’t mind two more. My dad and Erin would like to stop by.”
