Jasmine reached for the bottle. “Yes. But I want producer credit.”
Riley cheered, pumping her fist in the air as Jasmine popped the cork.
After she was done pouring, Riley held up her cup for a toast. “To success.”
“To family,” Jasmine added, with a look at Ashton.
He raised his cup and met her eyes. “To love.”
Epilogue
They were once again on a red carpet, but this time, it was real.
Jasmine clung to Ashton’s arm as they walked, stopping to chat with interviewers and pose for photos, showing off her red Carolina Herrera gown and his navy blue Tom Ford suit.
The whole thing was surreal. She’d never imaginedCarmen in Chargewould hit so big, but apparently the story of a woman trying to balance career, family, and love was universally relatable. Who knew?
Well, nowshedid. Jasmine was finally, for the first time in her life, successfully balancing all three.
It was definitely work, in a way she’d never expected. But through open communication—thanks, Vera!—growing trust, and practicing intentional vulnerability, she and Ashton were making plans for the future. With more episodes ofCarmenon the slate, they’d rented an apartment together in Brooklyn. Yadiel was being homeschooled by a team of tutors. Ashton had appeared in a bilingual Off-Broadway production ofCyranothat was in talks for a Broadway run the next year and an early contender for a Best Actor Tony Award, and he’d wona “Villano Favorito” telenovela award for his role inEl fuego de amor. Jasmine was putting those stage combat classes to good use as the lead in a ScreenFlix comedy about a Latinx superhero squad. She’d also started attending weekly therapy sessions, which were helping her cope with her need for external validation and her tendency to self-soothe with alcohol. Ashton was also in treatment for anxiety and PTSD from the home invasion, and there was a lightness to his demeanor that hadn’t been there when they’d first met. Although Jasmine suspected having Yadiel close by helped too.
And just when she thought things couldn’t get any better,Carmen in Chargehad been nominated for a Golden Globe.
She cuddled against Ashton’s side and gave a happy sigh. “I love you,” she whispered just for him. Saying it never got old.
He smiled down at her, eyes soft. “Te amo.”
Hearing it back never got old either.
Behind them, Ava and Michelle walked the carpet with Yadiel between them, holding his hands so he didn’t run off.
“You have your speech prepared?” Ashton murmured.
“Yeah.” She sent him a cheeky grin. “I’m going to thank your evil twin, Hector.”
He chuckled at that. Viewers had loved the reveal at the end ofCarmen in Charge, when Victor opened the door to find his estranged identical twin brother, Hector—played by Ashton with a beard.
A very sexy beard, in Jasmine’s opinion.
Just then, a handler caught their attention and brought them over to a woman with a mic. But as they got closer, the woman turned, and it was—
“Kitty Sanchez!” Jasmine said on a gasp.
Kitty shot Jasmine a wide smile and even bounced a little on the tips of her toes.
“Jasmine Lin!” She grabbed Jasmine’s hand and shook it vigorously. “I’m so excited to meet you. I’m ahugefan.”
Jasmine struggled to keep from gaping at Kitty in shock. Wait, she was afan? Then why had she been terrorizing Jasmine via gossip column for a year?
“I’ve been following your career since the beginning,” Kitty went on. “And as a fellow puertorriqueña, I really wanted to make sure you were highlighted, so people would know your name and you’d keep getting roles. Congratulations on the Golden Globe nomination. I’m unbelievably happy for you!”
Unbelievable was right, but Jasmine couldn’t help smiling back. Kitty’s enthusiasm was genuine. And while she wanted to ask,Why the mean articles and headlines, if you’re such a fan?—she didn’t. Because in that moment, she looked at Kitty and saw herself a few years back, struggling to make it in an industry that didn’t value her contributions, fighting to make her voice heard and her work visible. In reality, Kitty probably didn’t even write the headlines. There was likely an editor or someone in marketing who chose them based on SEO. And it was true, Kitty had helped make Jasmine a household name.
Besides, hadn’t it all worked out for the best anyway?
Jasmine leaned in and gave Kitty a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I know it’s hard.”
When she leaned back, Kitty had tears shining in her hazel eyes. She pointed the mic toward the carpet and said in a soft voice, “You’re an incredible actress, and I just really want youto go far.” She sniffled, then turned to Ashton. “You too. We need more Latinx actors breaking new ground in this industry.”
