Page 22 of Djinn in Love

Before Jasper could speak, his brother jumped right in. “My brother was just making sure I would be on my best behavior so you wouldn’t realize that our entire family is completely nuts and order an Uber to escape as quickly as possible.”

Jasper elbowed his little brother in the gut, making him grunt and take a step back. “He’s partially right. I wanted to make sure he didn’t act like the heathen he is right off the bat. Obviously, it’s too late.”

The annoyance vanished off Veronica’s face as she watched them. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Okay, then I’d like to go inside.”

Jasper reached out, took her hand, and helped her out of the car. Her long hair glinted in the sunlight, and he saw the hints of deep purple shimmer in the strands. He’d noticed them before, but this was the first time he felt free to touch the silky strands. His fingers sifted through the ends of her hair, enraptured by the change in the color.

“Right, brother?”

Jasper looked up to find Milo smirking at him, clearly amused by catching him off guard. He ignored him and whatever inane question he’d asked. There was no valet atDevil’s Playground, so he grabbed Veronica’s purse from the floorboard, handed it to her, and shut the door.

“Let’s go inside and get checked in.” Jasper slipped his hand around Veronica’s and gently tugged her along with him. He liked the way her hand tightened on his for a moment, as though she was surprised he’d laced his fingers with hers.

Milo’s smirk became a shit-eating grin as he followed them. “Since it’s obvious you weren’t listening, I’ll repeat myself. I was telling Veronica that our family might be an eccentric bunch but they’re a lot of fun.”

Jasper grunted. “Maybe for you since you’re as crazy as they are. But for me, they’re?—”

“Don’t finish that sentence unless you want Mom to hear,” Milo hissed over Veronica’s head. “She’s standing right inside the door.”

“Shit,” Jasper whispered.

Between them, Veronica giggled. He glanced down at her because he liked the sound.

“What?” Milo asked.

“Jasper told me a lot about your family this week. I think he’s worried that you’ll all run me off,” she answered his brother. Then, she turned her face up to look at him, her brown eyes sparkling with humor. “I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ve dealt with a lot of eccentric and even some mean clients. I’m sure your family is lovely.”

“Famous last words,” Jasper muttered as they walked through the open double doors to the lobby of the resort lodge.

Veronica laughed again.

“Jasper! My baby!”

He barely refrained from rolling his eyes at his mother’s exclamations. She was calling his name as though it had been a decade since they’d last seen each other rather than a couple of days. They worked in the same office for fire’s sake.

“Mom, I just saw you a couple of days ago at the office. Why are you acting like I’m returning from war?”

His mother huffed at him as she came closer. “Is that any way to talk to your mother?” she asked, sounding haughty and put-out.

“Yeah, Jas, is that any way to talk to—oof!” Milo’s taunt was cut off by Jasper discreetly smacking him in the back of the head. “Hey! No need for violence. I don’t need to be concussed on my wedding night. It’ll ruin the mood.”

His mother sighed as she came to a stop in front of them. “Can you two not behave for five minutes? And not act like such children in front of this lovely lady. You should be embarrassed. I know I am.”

Milo and Jasper shared a look over Veronica’s head but managed to keep from rolling their eyes.

“Now, are you going to introduce me or have you forgotten all the manners I tried to teach you over the years?” Leila Bayat asked.

“Mom, this is Veronica Salt. Veronica, this is my mother, Leila Bayat,” Jasper said.

Veronica held out a hand to his mother. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Bayat. Jasper has told me so much about you.”

Leila brushed her hand away and grabbed her by both shoulders, pulling her into a hug. “No need to be formal, dear. I’m so pleased to meet you.” She released her, pushing her back just far enough to study Veronica’s face. “Honestly, I thought Jasper was making you up to keep his meddling aunt from playing matchmaker this weekend until he called me a couple of days ago and told me to be sure there was an extra room for you at the lodge.”

Veronica thought she heard Jasper mutter something about his aunt being less of a meddler than his mother, but she didn’t want to react and get him in trouble.

Veronica didn’t have time to respond because Leila glanced at Jasper, but didn’t release her. “And speaking of that, Jasper, I’m afraid there is a problem with the room situation.”

“What problem?” he asked, reaching out to hook his arm around Veronica’s waist and pull her away from his mother and into his side. He squeezed her tighter when she let her weight rest against him, cuddling a bit closer to his body.

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