Page 11 (1/2)

Adam took the hint and stood, and Jazmine rose with hi?" he asked

"No…anytime is fine," she said, then quickly reconsidered "On second thought, Jazmine has school tomorrow so she shouldn’t be out too late"

"I’ll have her here by seven"

"Thank you" Shana waited by the door as they left, her heart going a little crazy as she tried to regain her composure

"Bye, Aunt Shana"

"Bye"

She closed the door She’d hoped to put the ed to do was amuse him Depressed, Shana sank into the closest chair and hid her face in her hands--until she realized so For the first time since Jazmine had arrived, she’d called her Aunt Shana Twice

Apparently her status had been sufficiently elevated that the nine-year-old was no longer asharess

Adam waited until they’d almost reached Tacoma before he mentioned the scene at Shana’s Jazmine had barely said a word frolanced in his direction, as if she was afraid he was upset, but really he had no one to blame but himself He did knooh he didn’t think Shana was like that Intentionally or not, Jazz had misunderstood his remark and used it for her own purposes

"You really did it this time," he murmured

"Are you mad?"

"No, but your aunt was"

"I know, but don’t you beYou and I should not have been discussing male-female relationships"

"Did youbeautiful and all that?"

"Yes" This was only the second ti to know her better He ht have ruined any chance of that, but he hoped not When he’d started out fro Shana to join the to decide that today probably wasn’t opportune

"What I told your aunt is the truth She is a beautiful woman," he said casually as he headed south on the interstate

"She likes you"

Adaot the hots for you I can tell"

"I don’t think so" Back to reality Shana ht be attracted to him, but she’d never admit that now

"I know so!"

"Jazmine, listen…"

"Okay, but can I say what I want to first?"

Apparently she was taking lessons fro about what you said--about not feeling sparks with Moht with Aunt Shana"

"Jazmine, you’re far too interested in matters that are none of your concern How do you know about this stuff, anyway? MTV?"

She groaned "Why do adults always say things like that?"

"Because they’re true"

"All I want is for you to ue?" Jazmine teased "Adults say that, too No, really, I a would be perfect She needs a husband and you need a wife"