Jasmine laughs at Cassie’s enthusiastic response, and when she’s finally released from the tight hug, she begins. “It was a bit of a spur of the moment thing.” Jasmine looks directly at Jarrod before continuing. “And before you ask, big brother, no alcohol was involved.”
A gruff sound comes from Jarrod, which I think may have been a laugh, but from what I’ve seen of him so far, that’s highly unlikely.
Scott reaches for Jasmine’s hand, linking his fingers with hers, and adds, “Neither of us wanted a big wedding, which is why we hadn’t set a date. So we were in Vegas for the weekend as I had a meeting with a new client … and we decided to get married.”
Blake interrupts, “Was that the new client who wants you to branch into snowboard designs?”
“Hang on a second, guys. We were talking about their impromptu Vegas wedding, not snowboards. I want to know how it all happened,” Cassie complains, and I’m with her; I want to hear all about the Vegas wedding.
“Simple. We were driving back from the meeting along Las Vegas Boulevard, and we passed the Little White Wedding Chapel. I turned to Scott and suggested jokingly that it would be a much easier option. He thought it was a great idea, and a couple of hours later we were married. It was fun and memorable.”
Scott’s smile is blinding as he looks at Jasmine while she tells us about their quickie wedding. “It had everything we needed. The two of us, an officiant, and a witness. Oh yeah, and someone to take a couple of pictures.”
“Did you say there are pictures? Show us,” Bec asks.
Jas picks up her phone, finds the photos, and passes it around the group. There are five photos of the ceremony in total. One of them outside the chapel. A couple inside during the ceremony. One of them kissing. And one of them standing with an elderly man who, based on his outfit, I’d guess to be the officiant.
Jasmine, of course, looks radiant in a simple white cocktail dress with a bunch of pink and red flowers. Scott, in his typical casual Australian style, is in a white linen shirt and dark jeans. They look stunning together in the pictures and so happy.
“Congratulations, guys. But, Jas, you know Mom is not going to be happy to hear you’ve denied her the chance to plan the wedding of the decade,” Jarrod warns, and Jasmine’s smile slips slightly. What a mood spoiler. I glare at him.
With a quick look at Scott first, she turns back to face her brother across the table. “Exactly why we went with a quickie Vegas one. Mom will get over the disappointment. She always does. Besides, they love Scott. And you and Rory can give her the social extravaganza she longs for when you marry.”
Jarrod appears to choke, coughing so hard I wonder if I should slap him on his back. Instead, I fill a water glass and pass it to him with a smile that shows my appreciation for Jasmine’s put down.
When he has recovered enough to speak, he croaks out, “Count me out. Not happening.”
Jasmine laughs at him. “Anyway, we are going to have a post-wedding party for family and friends. Mom can organize that.”
When everyone has settled back down to their main courses, Jasmine looks directly across the table at Jarrod. “Hey, by the way, no telling Mom, Dad, or Rory. We want to do it.”
“Don’t worry, Jazzy. I’ll be leaving that little pleasure to you two,” he responds, and when Jas frowns at him, he chuckles. A sound that surprisingly suits him but uncomfortably reminds me of his earlier chuckle just before he left my room.
After the meal, Jarrod slips away, returning a short time later with a couple of bottles of chilled champagne, and we toast Jas and Scott, the not-so newlyweds.
The girls and I have all moved to the sofas near the fire, while the guys remain standing over near the bar. Thankfully the room is so vast that we can’t hear what they are saying, and they can’t hear us. Cassie and I sit on the sofa closest to the fire, one on each end with our legs stretched out between and a throw tucked in around our feet. Jasmine and Bec are on an adjacent one in similar positions.
I notice Cassie doesn’t have a glass of champagne. “Do you want me to get you another refill?”
She waves her hand in my direction. “No, no, I’ve had enough food and drink … I couldn’t fit another thing in.”
“Now those are words I never thought I’d hear coming out of your mouth. Are you feeling okay?” She was always known to be able to eat whatever she wanted and still maintain her tall, thin, athletic figure.
“Honestly I’m fine. Just tired,” she admits, dropping her head sideways to rest against the cushioned back rest.
“I get that. I’m exhausted too, and maybe it’s a good idea to not have any more either.” I smile back at her with a bubble of happiness inside and around me as I think about the next six days hanging out with my best friend.
Cassie bends her knees up to her body, then lifts her head. “Hey, Jas, tell us more about the wedding. It sounds really romantic.”
Jasmine beams back and launches into a funny retelling of their time in Vegas. Pulling out her phone again, she passes it to Cass and I to swipe through more photos from their stay as she recounts the luxury hotel room Scott surprised her with and the special romantic dinner following the ceremony.
When we’ve finished looking through the folder of photos, Cassie passes it over to Bec. And as Jasmine and Bec are busy looking through the pictures on her phone, Cassie nudges me with her foot and whispers, “Hey, what do you think of Jarrod? He’s kind of cute, and he was definitely checking you out during dinner.”
My head flicks up so fast it’s a wonder I don’t pull a muscle in my neck. “Don’t be ridiculous … Besides, all he does is scowl. Geez, it’s the holiday season. You’d think he could lighten up just a little. What a waste of a sexy body when it’s attached to a grumpy man.”
I allow my eyes a quick travel up and down Jarrod’s body now that he is preoccupied with whatever the guys are talking about.
But Cassie doesn’t miss it, and with a soft giggle she says, “Maybe he needs a bit of Mads magic. Jas told me he’s not dating anyone.”Huh, no wonder, is my first thought. He’s a moody dude.
