It's My Turn

By L A Grow

Fleeing city life and wanting to reinvent herself, Jasmine West seeks refuge in the small town of Lotus. Concentrating on starting her own business, Jasmine just wants to establish a quiet life and make people see that she is more than just a pretty face.
Jasmine quickly learns that a "quiet" existence is not in the cards for her in this town. Everyone around her interferes in every aspect of her life, particularly her nonexistent love life. Forced into agonizing rounds of speed dating and set up on questionable blind dates reinforce Jasmine's notion that she is content being alone. That is, until she sees Evan. He is the most arrogant, rudest, most mysterious man she has ever met. Yet, he invades her every thought. How can someone who seems like such a nightmare, and who has so many secrets, be everything she has ever wanted? Jasmine just wants a turn at real love and happiness. Can she find it in this crazy little town?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L A Grow
• Release date: May 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458160935

L A Grow

I was a stay at home mom for 12 years to three boys. When my youngest son started school full time, I finally had kid-free time on my hands. I have a degree in Secondary Education/English, and I always wanted to write. I started writing and haven't looked back. I write for the same reason I read--to escape. My 2 novels in the series Love Games have changed my life. I am currently at work on the third. I live in Lititz, Pennsylvania with my husband, 3 sons, and our wonderful dog.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Hi Jesse. It’s Jasmine.

Hi Jasmine. What’s up?

Well, Jesse, I don’t know quite how to put this, other than to come right out and say it… I pause.

Okay. What’s going on? She asks.

Jesse, your mom is driving me crazy…stop laughing. She calls me 3-4 times a day for pointless things.

Welcome to my world. Jasmine, why do you think I have a wedding planner? I don’t want to deal with Beverly either. She reveals.

Your wedding is a little over two months away. Everything is set. She doesn’t need to be calling me so much. Earlier she called to tell me the name of Sandy Sugerman’s daughter’s wedding photographer. We already have a photographer that you say you are happy with. She also wants me to go to the boutique with her for her dress fitting tomorrow. Why do I have to do that? Can you talk to her? And, I can still hear you laughing.

Jasmine, I’m sorry she’s bothering you so much, but see, if she’s not pestering you, she’s going to pester me. I can’t have that. You only have two more months of this. I have a lifetime. So, take one for the team, please. Look at it this way, you’ll be helping out your good friend Randy. When I’m not happy, he’s not happy. And I know you don’t want Randy to be miserable. She casually throws out.

Well, Jesse, I can see he is really rubbing off on you. You are becoming quite the manipulator like him. I say and chuckle.

I’m not at his status yet. He’s a master, I’m only a beginner. This is good practice for me, though. She admits and then laughs.

Alright, Jesse, you win. I’ll deal with Beverly for two more months, but you owe me. I say.

Okay, fair enough. I do appreciate all you’ve done and are doing. She replies and then adds, Have fun at the boutique with Beverly. She maliciously laughs and hangs up.

How do I always let myself be talked into things I do not want to do? Oh yes, I remember why. For starters, I have an extremely hard time saying no to people. I don’t like anyone to be mad at me. I guess you could call me a sappy people pleaser. Another reason is I always feel like I am trying to prove something to people, even if I do not have to. I want people to see past my looks and see me as an educated, intelligent, and confident woman. And finally, one of the biggest reasons that I want to be liked so badly by people, is that I want to be the type of person who is the complete opposite of my parents.

My name is Jasmine West. I am thirty-one years old. I recently dropped one career and began another, moved out of the city into the suburbs, and struggle every single day to find out exactly who I am. These are the things that I know to be true about myself: I come from a totally dysfunctional, super wealthy family; on the outside I am considered very beautiful and sexy, I am educated and intelligent; I suffer a bit from OCD(obsessive compulsive disorder); and I can’t seem to keep a man longer than two weeks. These are the things that I can’t seem to get a grasp on in life: confidence, my inner sexiness (if I even have any), a carefree attitude to be able to just enjoy things, and a set of balls to tell all the people who have walked all over me to take a stick and shove it very far up their hindquarters. This list begins with my parents. But see, I don’t even have the gumption to say asses; I say hindquarters. I could probably poll a hundred people, and not one would say hindquarters.

Since I am very aware of all these things about myself, one might think that it would be easy to change and work on myself, but, alas, it is not. I’m so pathetic. The ironic thing is that the person who has been the biggest help to me and makes me lighten up and have fun is Jesse Banks. The reason that this is ironic is that when we first met, Jesse was jealous of me. She based this jealousy just on my looks, thought I was a threat to her relationship with Randy, and she ran off, almost ruining things with the love of her life.

In college, Randy and I were very good friends. We did sleep together twice, which Jesse knows about and initially that bothered her a bit. Now that she knows me, though, I think she even thinks it’s funny. This is why, now, I am so jealous of Jesse. She is the most carefree, roll with the punches type of person. On top of that, she is smart, sexy, funny, and marrying the best man I have ever met. In college, the reason nothing ever came of the liaison between Randy and I, is the basic fact that I am only sexy on the outside. I think I was pretty much a big disappointment to Randy in the sack, but we remained friends. He was always there, comforting me through my numerous heartbreaks. We never discussed our roll in the hay. I watch him with Jesse, and I want a man to look at me that way. I want to be the focus of someone’s life. Jesse tells me that I just need to release my inner sex goddess. That’s easier said than done, but I have to say I will die trying. Jesse has made me somewhat of a project of hers, so I want to be a good pupil.

Another huge irony in my life is that my former career used to be that of a lingerie model. I have no problem being hot and sensual in front of the camera, but when the camera is off, I lose it. Jesse drives me crazy about this. She is totally baffled by it, which I guess I can understand.

The lingerie modeling ended as I started getting older. I tried to get into other avenues of modeling, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I could’ve easily done a spread in Playboy or Penthouse, but that’s just not me. I wanted to be in catalogs like Land’s End and L.L. Bean, but I was told I was too hot and sexy for those. I don’t look enough like a mom. Jesse describes me as a cross between Cindy Crawford and Pamela Anderson. I’m 5’9" and have long chocolate colored hair, dark brown eyes, a tiny waist, and big 34D boobs.

There is such a difference between my outside self and my inside self. I need to find a common ground between the two. I really think I am the kind of woman that a man would marry because I look good and would be his trophy wife, but he would totally cheat on me with someone else for hot and steamy sex.

I ended up moving to Lotus, Pennsylvania about six months ago. After a big fight with a so called boyfriend, I sought refuge at Randy’s apartment. That’s when Jesse stumbled upon me clad only in a towel, misread the whole situation, and fled. Thankfully Jesse and Randy were able to mend that misunderstanding quickly and got engaged.

After being in Lotus for those few days, I decided that I had a good feeling about it and wanted to move here and begin a new career. I always thought it would be so fun and so cool to be a wedding planner. I don’t know if I’ll ever get married, seeing as my boyfriends only last fifteen minutes, so I figured planning other people’s weddings would fulfill me. I am extremely organized which comes from being a bit OCD, and I have a great knack for coordinating events, and arranging lots of details.

Out of the goodness of their hearts, Jesse and Randy agreed to be my first clients to help me get my wedding planner business off the ground. I’m positive that Randy had to talk Jesse into it, because initially she didn’t like me. Now, though, I think she is very grateful for all my help and loves that she can pawn her mother off on me. I have since picked up two more clients and am feeling really good about my new career.

I also really love living in Lotus. It’s so pretty. I feel so at home here. Lotus is quaint and small town, but also classy and beautiful. It’s about an hour from Philadelphia which is where I used to live. My friendship with Jesse has made me become very familiar with so many of the local people and businesses. I would love to someday raise a family here, but I don’t know if that’s in the cards for me.

My family life is definitely one for the tabloids. My father is Jasper West. He’s a multi millionaire playboy who inherited all his millions. His grandfather started West Industries years ago in Tampa, Florida. They manufacture a bit of everything. I’ve lost track. Actually, I don’t even care. My grandfather still runs the empire. My father pretends he does things for the business, but all he really does is indulge himself and spend the money. My father is currently on his fourth wife. Her name is Coco, and she is younger than me. He met her at the Playboy Mansion.

My mother is not much better. Her name is Lana. She’s been married and divorced three times. I’m not even sure who her latest boy toy is. Her last one kept hitting on me, so I told her. Somehow, I got blamed for it, and she didn’t speak to me for two months. It might be terrible to say, but I rather enjoyed getting the silent treatment from her. My nerves were a lot calmer during those two months.

My parents married when they were twenty and had me one year later, so they are young, in their early fifties. I think they are always in competition with each other. They keep tabs on each other on things like: who travels more, who looks better, and who has more sex. I am the only child of my mother, but my father has two other children. I have a sister named Giselle, who is 26 and very shallow and self-absorbed like her father. I also have a brother named Devon, who is 23 and absolutely nothing like his father. Devon has no use for the money that is entitled him. When he does use it, it is for the purpose of helping others. He recently was in Haiti for a year helping the people there. Giselle and Devon are full siblings, but they don’t get along at all. I personally can’t stand Giselle, either, but I adore Devon.

I keep waiting for my Dad to announce that he and Coco are expecting, but so far, it hasn’t happened. I don’t think my dad likes for his women to get pregnant. He likes his women to have tight, perky bodies.

My mother’s choice of men is all over the place. Sometimes, she is a cougar chasing young studs in their twenties, and other times, she goes after old coots with truckloads of money. I think she has a method to her madness, but I don’t really want to know what it is. The bottom line is that the less interaction I have with my parents the better. My nervous eye twitch and my irritable stomach tend to flare up a lot less when I avoid my family. However, Jesse and her crazy family and friends can aggravate both these conditions of mine, but in a different way than my family does. There is no ill will that comes from Jesse and her crowd, they just confuse me a lot.

Chapter 2

The greatest thing about my job is that I can make my own hours. I work out of my apartment, and since I only have three clients right now, I am not overwhelmed. My apartment is very nice and modern. It’s a two bedroom, so I use the extra bedroom for an office. It is actually the apartment that Randy and his cousin Tucker lived in before Randy moved in with Jesse and Tucker moved in with Katrina. Tucker is absolutely hysterical and extremely good looking. He looks like a big football player. Katrina is great and also gorgeous. They are not engaged or anything. In fact, I think they break up every other week just to have make-up sex. At least that’s what Jesse says. When Tucker moved out, he said I could live here unless something happens, and he needs the apartment back. I keep my fingers crossed that their breakups are always just temporary. He did say that I could decorate it any way I want, so I have made it my own.

I have a big white L-shaped couch in the living room. I have all different colored throw pillows on it. I have a bright red chair that coordinates well with the couch and pillows. I love white with colors all around. My bedroom follows suit with the living room, white with colors. Jesse always warns me that white gets dirty quickly, but since it’s just me, I’m not worried about that.

Since it is Monday I do have some paperwork to do and a few phone calls to make. I’m trying to organize my thoughts when I hear some music. I listen carefully because it seems like it’s right next to me. It’s that song, I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred that came out a long time ago. Jesse did it again! She changes the ringtone on my phone whenever she can sneak the phone away from me. She also gives different people different ringtones so I get very confused thus causing my eye to start twitching. It’s also very embarrassing when my phone rings in public. One time she put Baby Got Back on my phone. The words say, I like big butts, I cannot lie… My phone rang in a meeting with clients. I tried to explain, but sometimes Jesse is unexplainable. I look at the phone and speak of the devil, it’s Jesse.

Jesse, you changed my ringtone again. I say in a stern voice.

Oh, did I? What did I put on it? I can’t remember. She says and starts laughing.

My phone was singing, ‘I’m too sexy for my shirt, so sexy it hurts, or something to that effect. Why must you do these things to me?" I ask.

Well, first of all, I think I only put that song on when I call, and second of all it’s all part of the ‘Loosen Up Jasmine Plan so that she is more fun and not so uptight. It’s all out of the goodness of my heart." She chuckles.

Jesse, I am who I am, and you like me. I retort.

I do like you, but you’re still uptight and anal and too serious. I want you to smile more. She states in a serious tone.

Don’t go getting a big head or should I say a bigger head, but since I have moved to Lotus, I have never smiled so much in my life, and a lot of that is because of you. I tell her.

Okay, now you’re going to make me emotional and cry. The reason I’m calling is because I want to go for a long walk for some exercise. Will you join me? Randy gets aggravated when I go myself. She informs me.

Actually a walk sounds great. Do you want to come here, and we’ll go from here? I ask.

Yep, that’s fine. I’ll be over in about fifteen minutes. She replies and hangs up.

I get myself ready for my walk. Being that is the end of January, I dress warm. Jesse likes to walk in the cold. She says it is therapeutic to her. Jesse, however, is therapeutic to me. She makes me realize that I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.

When Jesse arrives, we begin our trek. We are doing some serious power walking, no leisurely strolls for us. We have a loop that we do around Lotus. It’s about five miles. Towards the end of the loop, we always pass the dog park. We like to look at the dogs running and playing. Jesse thinks I need a dog to help me relax more. I do love animals and my apartment does allow pets, but I don’t think I’m ready for a dog. Besides that, the fact that I have a white couch is always front and present in my mind. Dogs and white don’t go together very well.

As we are passing the dog park today, there is a sweet looking guy sitting near the fence with a bunch of puppies. Of course, we can’t walk past puppies without stopping.

Oh my God, Jasmine! Look at these babies. Aren’t they precious? Jesse squeals.

Hey Ladies! You want to play with the puppies? The guy asks.

Oh yeah! They’re so cute. Jesse answers.

My name is Tony. You can play with them all you want. He tells us and smiles a very wholesome smile.

Jesse and I go into the fence to see the puppies. There are four of them and they are adorable. They are all over us. Jesse keeps laughing and squealing.

Are either of you interested in buying one of these puppies? Tony questions us.

You’re selling these wonderful babies! Jesse excitedly asks.

Well, you see, I was supposed to get my dog neutered and I never did. She somehow escaped our yard and did the nasty with her boyfriend. So, here I am with these puppies. My wife is furious with me and says I need to sell these puppies or she’s going to make my life miserable. He tells us his sob story.

Jasmine, you need to get one of these puppies. This is fate. This is why we took this walk today. I think I might get one, too. Then they could be friends. Jesse is jumping up and down.

I don’t know, Jesse. I don’t know if I really want a dog. I say.

How can you turn down one of these sweethearts. Besides you don’t want Tony to get in trouble, do you? She replies and smiles mischievously at me.

Tony, how big will these puppies get? I ask a very rational question.

Oh, not big. Maybe about sixty pounds. My female is a small mix and so is the father. He answers and again gives us that heartwarming smile. I’ll only charge you fifty bucks each.

I’m sold. Jesse gushes. I want this guy. She scoops up this cute little rambunctious puppy. ‘Oh good, it’s a boy. I think Randy would prefer a male."

I want a female. I can’t believe I just said that. I pick up the smallest one who also seems the most mellow. It’s a female. I guess I’ll take her. I don’t have any money on me right now, though.

Jesse pulls her checkbook out of a big pocket in her jacket. That’s okay. I’ll pay, and you can pay me back. She says.

Jesse writes Tony a check, and he thanks us and wishes us luck with our puppies. I don’t know if I’m just paranoid, but all of a sudden, his smile didn’t look so sweet. It looked a little evil. I don’t mention it, but it is bothering me. We start walking back to my apartment with our puppies in our arms.

Jesse, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I throw out.

How can you say that? You’re going to hurt their feelings. They are brother and sister and they can play all the time. When we go walking now, we can take them, too. It’s going to be so fun. She’s jabbering on and on.

Don’t you think you should’ve talked it over with Randy? And what about my white couch and white bed? My nerves are getting the best of me.

Don’t worry about Randy. He’s putty in my hands. And I’ve told you before, you shouldn’t have so much white. Just put a big blanket on it. Now, let me concentrate for a minute. I need to think about names right now. She says and keeps kissing the puppy over and over.

When we get back to my apartment, we cover the floor in newspaper, and Jesse calls Randy and tells him that he needs to come to my apartment immediately. I can tell by the conversation that he repeatedly asks why he needs to come here, but she doesn’t give him anything. About a half an hour later, Randy barges into my place like a tornado. He looks at the puppies, the newspaper all over the floor, and then at us. I try to hide behind Jesse, because Randy eyes are extremely powerful. Jesse says he does Jedi eye tricks like the Jedi on Star Wars. I try to tell her that it is Jedi mind tricks, but she doesn’t care.

What’s all this? He asks very slowly.

Hi Baby! Jesse picks up her puppy, holds him out to Randy and says, This is Tiny. He’s ours. And the other little one is Angelina. She’s Jasmine’s. Aren’t they the cutest puppies ever? Jesse joyfully remarks.

What? Maybe I heard you wrong. Did you say that these puppies belong to you and Jasmine? He verbalizes while his eyes are drilling a hole right through Jesse. She, however, seems oblivious.

Randy, Tiny is our new baby. Isn’t he precious? She forces Randy to hold Tiny.

Randy looks at me and says, Jas, maybe you better explain this to me, because I don’t think I’m going to get anything useful out of Jesse.

I explain everything to Randy, starting with the walk, then running into Tony, and then the purchase of the puppies. I tell him everything Tony said including the parts about his wife and the puppies growing to be about sixty pounds. Randy looks like he is really trying to control his temper. I learned in college that he is very good at doing that, and I would think that being with Jesse requires a lot of that also.

J.J. , Jasmine, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you’ve been had. Randy states and then looks back and forth between the both of us. Randy is the only person who refers to Jesse as J.J.

What do you mean we’ve been had? I ask loudly to be heard above Jesse slobbering over Tiny.

Did you even take a close look at these dogs? They are definitely mutts, but they are not going to be sixty pounds. Randy states.

Don’t call them mutts! They don’t like that. Jesse pouts and then asks, Are they going to be smaller like a Chihuahua?

Randy starts laughing and bites back with, Jesse, look at these dogs. Look at their paws. Look at their faces. I can tell you with a hundred percent certainty that they are half St. Bernard. I’m not sure what the other half is, but I would almost guarantee that it’s another big dog. The vet can probably tell you the other half. So, to answer your question, Jesse, no they aren’t going to be the size of a Chihuahua, they’re going to be the size of a couch.

Oh my God! My apartment is too small for another couch. I say.

Holy Crap, Jasmine! You just cracked a joke! A funny one, too. Jesse says with a big smile on her face.

J.J., focus. Randy grabs her hand and continues, Did you hear what I said? Big dogs, very big dogs.

Yeah, I heard you, but you don’t know what the other half is, so maybe it’s a miniature poodle and these puppies will be medium sized. She states and then kisses Randy on the lips right after she kisses Tiny.

J, I wish you would’ve discussed this with me. Our place isn’t that big either to have a giant dog. Randy informs her.

Randy, you are building me a big house. Did you forget? She smiles coyly at him.

I’ll have to add an additional wing for this monster. He sighs.

"Randy, repeat after me…J.J., I love you very