On cue, Jasmine stepped from out of view, sliding next to Cari. "Hey, Mr. K," she waved, guilty smile plastered on her face.

Time froze.

Stunned doesn't begin to describe my reaction. I was beyond stunned. I was comatose. No part of me had expected to see Jasmine outside my door—tonight or any night. I could scarcely believe it, even with her in front of me.

There's no way this was happening... right? I had to make sure.

"Wow," I finally managed to squeeze out. "Now, Cari, you do understand why I invited you over, right?"

"Yeah," Cari replied without hesitation.

"And Jasmine knows too, right?"

"Yeah, Mr. K, I...