Chapter 4

“Put down the frame,” Jasmine said cautiously.

She slowly pulled the Dogs Playing Poker picture out of Nicole’s grasp.

“But, don’t you think it’d look good in the basement?  In Eric’s man cave?” she proposed.

Jasmine grabbed her friend by the wrist and dragged her through the flea market, “As long as I’m the decorator, that thing isn't come anywhere near your house,”

They had spent the better half of the Saturday morning wandering through flea markets downtown for Nicole’s house, a groove they had gotten into on the weekends.  It was crowded with bargain shoppers, more than usual for the weather was beautiful. 

It was May, and Jasmine had been in Brampton for a month now.  The designs for Nicole’s house had been marked up fairly quickly.  She was grateful that she loved the--working for someone she knew always made Jasmine a bit nervous and particular about her designs even more so. 

Since they didn’t bring much to Ontario, Jasmine wanted to make sure to begin with getting their largest, most important pieces.  By one o’clock they had found a set of end tables and a cushioned bench for the bedroom.

Nicole was tired and ready to call it a day, so they headed towards a main street lined with restaurants.  Tables were lined up on the sidewalks outside of restaurants, overflowing with customers.  They settled on a quaint salad bar and grabbed a table outside, sure to find one with an umbrella.  Jasmine was fair skinned—her and the sun didn’t get along.

“You should come over for dinner Friday,” Nicole suggested.  When Jasmine looked up at her from her salad, she avoided eye contact as she pushed around lettuce.

She laughed, “Nice try.  But I know that face,”

“What?” Nicole asked, trying to look innocent.

“I’m not going to let you set me up.  No ma’am,”

Nicole dropped her silverware and leaned forward placing her hand on Jasmine’s arm.  “C’mon Jazz, at least give it a try.  You need to meet people here!  Why not meet a guy as well?”

“Coming from,” she grumbled.

Jasmine snapped her head up as Nicole's hand retreated, “Nicole, I’m sorry I didn’t mean that,”

“No, no.  You’re right,” she sighed.  “I was just hoping that you’d meet someone from Eric’s work and we can all hang out, meet people together,” she trailed off.

I can’t believe this girl.  She makes me do the craziest things!

“Ok,” she gave.  “I’ll come to dinner on Friday.”

--

Eric and Nicole worked during the week, and it was up to Jasmine to continue picking out pieces for their home.

Sometimes it amazed her how clients, usually complete strangers, would be willing at times to put all their trust in her to decorate their home.  There were some who had very little to do with the process, leaving everything up to Jasmine.  She would be lying if she hadn’t thought about doing something completely crazy with the design.  If she bullshitted it enough they’d think it was stunning and unique.

Jasmine traveled in and out of stores, taking pictures of items to show Nicole later.  She was leaving a furniture store when she rounded the corner and ran right into someone.  Balance was something she never really had and she fell backwards, her clutch landing on the sidewalk beside her.

“Oh, damn.  My bad,” the man apologized.

Jasmine held her hand over her eyes, the sun was directly behind him, blacking him out.  He offered his hand to help her up, she took it and wiped her hands on her shorts.  Past him were a couple of his friends standing and laughing at his accident.  Classy guys boys.

The stranger leaned down to pick up her clutch and held it out, “Here you go.”  Jasmine managed to mumble a ‘thank you’.

“You, uh, okay?” he eyed her, but she didn’t take a moment to meet his stare.

Jasmine nodded before slipping past him and through his group of friends, carrying on down the street.

She didn’t get ten feet before she heard foot steps quickly coming after her.

“Hey, wait up!”

Jasmine glanced over her shoulder to see the same man jogging after her.  She stopped and stepped to the side to get out of everyone’s way.

The stranger came to a halt right in front of her, tipping his head to the side in wonder as he pointed at her.

“Don’t I know you?”