Chapter 1: Not for You

Jasmine

Jasmine Hunt rode in the back of her parent’s Mercedes, headed toward South Pointe, the southern point of Miami, Florida. She pulled her long brown hair back into a ponytail, fanned her neck, and let it fall over her shoulders and down her back again. They were almost there, and, already, the heat was sweltering. Jasmine couldn’t wait for the promise of a constant ocean breeze, ready for her summer vacation to begin.

Since she had just graduated from high school, Jasmine had hoped to get away by herself this summer. But that wasn’t happening. Instead, her parents had persuaded her to go to South Pointe and spend time with them on the beach. After all, this would be their last summer together before she headed off to UT Knoxville in the fall. But at least they would be spending all summer on the beach, so it wouldn’t be a total waste. Although she was glad to have time with her parents, Jasmine had waited a long time to have her own life. Now, she wanted to start living it.

“Are we there yet?” Jasmine sounded like a child, even to her own ears.

Her father smiled at her in the rearview mirror, her complaint obviously bringing back memories. “No, sweetheart. But we’ll be there soon.”

Jasmine turned her attention out the window, watching the huge palm trees pass along I-95—a huge cry from Maine. They hadn’t been in Miami in years. When she was a child, they came here nearly every year. Then one year, they stopped. Jasmine never knew why.

As she rode, Jasmine watched the scenery pass, making plans to go surfing and enjoy other water sports. In Cape Elizabeth, she had to wear a wetsuit when she surfed. After a while, it no longer bothered her. But here, it'd be a relief not to have to wear one. This summer, she could have fun and go to UT Knoxville with a beautiful tan. Her heart fluttered, excited at the prospect.

Before they left home, she went shopping with her mother to get everything she needed for the summer and for college, which consisted of several bikinis.

“Why don’t you pick out some cute summer outfits, too?” Her mother had insisted, always polite. “Why do you need four bikinis, anyway?”

“Mom.” Jasmine scoffed. “We’re going to Miami. Bikinis are the outfits.”

Her mother, Hannah, handed her a beach wrap. “Well, here. At least take a few of these, too, and buy some cute summer sets.” She smiled as she arched an eyebrow. “You never know whom you might meet.”

“Mom!” Jasmine smiled as she leaned in conspiratorially. “A word to the wise. No one calls them summer sets anymore.”

Her mother’s eyebrows shot up as if she had just committed a major faux pas. “Really?”

Jasmine smiled, nodding. “Really.”

If there was one thing her mother couldn’t abide, it was committing faux pas... whether big or small. She had been raised in affluent society with the adage: Always smile and hold the pain inside, no matter how you actually feel.

How a lady appeared to the outside world was everything to Hannah Hunt. But not to Jasmine.

Jasmine never aspired to join “polite” society. She just wanted to live her life as she wanted. To live the life she chose. Yes, Jasmine had been raised to be a good, Christian girl with all the polite manners of society, and she knew how to act and behave like a lady in every situation. But she wanted to be able to live her life while staying true to herself without her face hurting from forced smiles.

As they neared South Pointe, Jasmine wondered how many times her mother had forced a smile at times when she wanted to cry. She watched her sitting in the side seat beside her father, Nicholas. To society, her mother appeared to be the perfect wife. But Jasmine wondered how she truly felt. Who she truly was. Jasmine had asked her mother about it once, but she had just laughed, saying, “A woman’s heart is a well of secrets.”

Jasmine smiled, making it her mission to have a serious talk with her mother over the summer.

Before long, the great expanse of ocean came into view. The scent and taste of salt were thick in the air, and the sound of the surf and chirp of seagulls filled her ears. They were finally here. South Pointe. Excitement coursed through Jasmine’s body, eager for fun and sun on the beach. Eager to start her life.

“We’re here, pumpkin,” her father announced, smiling at her in the rearview mirror.

She shook her head. “Father, please don’t call me that. I’ve asked you more than once. I just graduated from high school, and I'll start college in the fall! I’m a woman now.”

Her father laughed. “You’re merely a girl of eighteen. You’re not a woman... not yet, anyway. But do me a favor and don’t try to grow up too fast.”

Her mother reached across the seat and touched her face. “I’d be happy if you never grew up and stayed with me forever.”

Jasmine pulled away. “Mom!” As soon as the car came to a stop, she jumped out and smelled the fresh, clean air blowing off the ocean.

“Girl! Come back here and get your luggage!” her father yelled after her.

Jasmine looked out over the ocean, and a young man was surfing alone. He had short, dark hair and tanned, beautiful skin that stretched over bulging muscles that looked as if he worked out all the time. She folded her arms across her chest as she watched him surf.

He caught a wave and planted his feet firmly on his board, bending his knees in perfect balance. Although she wouldn’t have told him, she was impressed. Then as if he had heard her thoughts, his head snapped up, looking straight into her eyes. But then he fell off his board in the most spectacular wipeout she had ever seen.

She laughed but quickly covered her mouth.

He looked up and smiled.

“Jasmine!” her father called out. “Come here and get your things from the car! Now!”

She smiled as she bit her lip and headed over to the car where her father waited.

“He’s not for you.” Nicholas frowned as he turned his attention back to the luggage.

“What?” Jasmine looked toward the beach at the hot guy catching another wave and then back at her father. “Him? I don’t even know him! Besides, I’m eighteen and old enough to date.”

Her father frowned. “You’re free to date young men of society.” He lifted his chin in the boy’s direction. “But not to date boys like that.”

“You mean, because he’s Cuban?” she asked, unable to believe what she was hearing. But then again, it sounded like something her father would say.

“No, of course not!” Her father sighed. “That young man is not a boy! He’s a man, and he probably doesn’t have a dime to his name. I didn’t raise you to date men who’ll use you and throw you away.”

Her mother sighed, placing her hand on her husband’s arm. He looked at her, and she shook her head. “That’s enough.”

Jasmine stepped up close to her father, looking him in the eye. “I’m glad you think so highly of me, father. And not every boy I meet... or date... will be out to use me. There are good men out there.” She turned to walk away but turned back. “And wealth doesn’t make men good.”

She was tempted to leave for Knoxville at that very moment, but something told her not to go. Not yet. Jasmine turned toward their apartment, found her room, darted inside, and quickly locked the door behind her. But try as she might, she couldn’t get the hot surfer out of her mind.