Page 16 of Djinn in Love

Before she could work through her thoughts and figure out what to do, Jasper texted her again.

Jasper: I emailed the itinerary to you and we need to go over the particulars for Milo’s wedding.

Veronica sighed. No matter what happened after this weekend, she had already committed to being Jasper’s date. She loathed breaking promises because she felt how much it affected those around her when other people did it.

Veronica: 9 is fine. I’m going to eat and finish up some work so I can get home. Thanks again.

Jasper: You’re welcome. Text me before you leave and when you get home so I know you made it safely.

Veronica: I will.

A knot formed in Veronica’s chest, twisting and coiling, making it difficult to breathe. The number of people who cared about her safety was a precious few. Her parents. She counted Dominique, even though her boss had an aloof demeanor. Dominique demonstrated she cared in her own way and Veronica had even sensed her affection a few times, even though Dominique’s mental shields were as solid as stone.

Veronica blinked rapidly, willing away the tears that formed in her eyes. She couldn’t get used to this. To a man caring. She knew better.

He wouldn’t stick around. Not after he realized how much work she was and that she exhausted him like she had with her past relationships.

She had to be honest with herself and keep her eyes wide open. It was the only way to protect herself from heartbreak.

CHAPTER FIVE

He studiedthe phone in his hand, wondering if he’d come on too strong today. Veronica’s texts after her dinner had been delivered seemed…different. Earlier, her replies came quickly and seemed casual.

This evening, it took her much longer to answer. Her words seemed carefully chosen, almost terse. Like when she texted him to let him know she’d left the office and again when she made it home. Two words each time. He’d sent a message back each time, acknowledging that he got them, but she didn’t respond to either.

Veronica: Heading out.

Veronica: Home safe.

His instincts were one of his greatest assets in business and they were telling him he’d fucked up somehow. He would ask her tomorrow when he saw her for lunch. He wanted to see her eyes and read her expression when she responded.

Jasper grunted and glanced at the time again. Eight-thirty.

He wished that he’d decided to deliver her dinner himself. Then, he could have spent the evening with her again. Even if itmeant watching her work instead of talking to her. Instead, he’d decided to give her space, worried that he’d overwhelm her if he pushed his presence on her.

After their conversation last night about how tiring it was to keep her mental shields up all day and then for hours in the evening, Jasper was keenly aware of his own emotions and how they spilled out of him. He hadn’t practiced his mental shields in a long time. Until he was sure that he could maintain them around Veronica, he wouldn’t crowd her.

She’d been more concerned about how he might feel about an invasion of his private thoughts and feelings, but Jasper noticed the way her shoulders sagged when she discussed her past relationships and how much work it took to keep her mind protected when she should have been able to relax and just be herself.

He glanced at the clock again. Eight-fifty. Fuck it.

Jasper clicked on her name in his phone list and lifted the device to his ear.

“Hi, Jasper.” Veronica’s voice was soft. Hesitant.

“Hi, Veronica. How was your dinner?”

He could hear the smile in her voice when she answered. “It was delicious. Thank you again.”

“Where do you want to eat tomorrow for lunch? I’ll be close to your office. Is there another restaurant nearby that you like?”

“There’s a French bistro a couple of blocks away.”

“Do you eat there often?” he asked, intensely curious about her likes and dislikes.

From their conversation last night, Jasper sensed that Veronica was different from most of the women he knew. Not that there was anything wrong with the women he’d dated in the past. It was just…the way her mind worked struck him as different. Maybe it was because of her ability. Or maybe it washer personality. She seemed to see the world from a completely different perspective—one he very much wanted to understand.

“No, I usually bring my lunch to work,” she answered after a brief hesitation.

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