Page 83 of Maxwell

“Looks good to me.”

Jasmine sighed. “I can’t trust you. You’ll have me walking around looking like a hoochie.”

Maxwell cupped each of her butt cheeks. “Look at the material, though.” He squeezed.

Laughing, Jasmine faced him. “I’m serious.”

“Me too. Come on, you look perfect, and we need to go. I don’t want to be late getting to your sister’s.”

“All right, fine.” Jasmine took his hand.

Her playfulness was hiding her anxiety. She didn’t usually introduce her boyfriends to her siblings in such a formal way, especially not Maura, who was extremely protective. Which was why Jasmine was so nervous. She wanted Maura and Brick to like Maxwell. No, to love him, even a fraction of how much she did. If so, she knew everything would be fine, and she had finally made a good choice when it came to her relationship.

“You seem really at ease,” Jasmine said as they rode the elevator.

She continued to hold onto his hand. In his other hand was a bottle of his family’s tequila. Though she’d told him he didn’t need to take anything to dinner, he had insisted on bringing it as a gift and had tied a red bow around the bottle’s neck.

“What’s there to be nervous about?” He smelled divine and looked even better with his glossy, thick hair combed to perfection and his outfit of slacks and a pullover completing his comfortable, confident appearance.

“You aren’t a little bit nervous?” Jasmine asked.

“Nah. Your sister is going to love me. I’ve never met a woman...” He caught himself and let the sentence trail off.

Jasmine sidestepped away and raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“I’d rather not.”

The elevator doors opened, and Maxwell dragged her out.

When they arrived at her sister’s, Maura swung the door wide, wearing a big smile. “Welcome!” she said cheerily.

They walked into the house, and Jasmine made the introductions to her and Brick, who was named appropriately. He was a big, muscular man with beefy arms and a bald head. Her niece and nephew were at their other sister—Gina’s—house, so there were only adults at the dinner.

“I brought tequila,” Maxwell said, holding up the bottle.

“Don Bene? Damn, you brought the good stuff. I know that cost a grip,” Brick said.

“Didn’t cost me anything. My family makes it.”

Maura’s mouth fell open. “Your family makes Don Bene Tequila?”

“Yes. Any time you want a bottle, let me know.”

A look passed between Brick and Maura before Brick drew Maxwell into the living room.

“Maxwell has no idea what he just promised. He’s gonna be sick of my husband,” Maura said under her breath as she pulled Jasmine into the kitchen. “I have bad news. Brick and I did a little research this week, and he found out Maxwell’s brother-in-law is The Flash.”

Jasmine stared at her sister, confused. “I have no idea what that means. Are you talking about the superhero?”

“No. The Flash was a popular baseball player. His real name is Damon Foster. They called him The Flash because he was so fast. Brick followed him from when he played for The Twins, and then he became an Atlanta Brave and retired here. Which means Brick already has a soft spot for Maxwell.” Maura shrugged as she struggled to uncork the wine.

“You have got to be kidding me. He chose sports over my well-being? Dammit, Brick.” Jasmine took the bottle from her sister.

Maura started cutting up the roasted chicken they were having for dinner. Her sister made the best lemon and rosemary chicken, so she was looking forward to the meal.

“What do you expect?” her sister asked. “His father named him Brick, for God’s sake. He had no choice but to be a sports fan. Anyway, he wanted me to find out if Maxwell could get him an autograph, but I’m pretty sure he’ll ask him while they’re talking in there.”

Jasmine popped the cork on the wine. “Wonderful. Can I at least count on you to give an objective assessment of my new man?”