Page 4 of Djinn in Love

“That’s fine. But you’ll also tell her that I asked you to go as my date.”

“Fine.”

Without looking at him again, Veronica headed toward the door. He followed without thought and their bodies crashed together just before they reached the door, her small frame colliding with his chest and abdomen. Her hands clutched at his waist for a moment before she jerked them away.

He heard her inhale sharply and saw the pink flush rush to her cheeks. She was blushing because she touched him. Surely that was a good sign.

Jasper grasped the door handle and opened it, allowing her to go first.

Her boss, Dominique, was sitting at Veronica’s desk, clearly watching them through the glass wall. She got to her feet, her glimmering blue eyes meeting his. If he wasn’t mistaken, she looked as though she was planning something.

Veronica spoke as soon as they reached her. “Dominique, I’m afraid Mr. Bayat is extremely upset with the matches he has been getting. I think perhaps you should take over his file and maybe even offer him a refund.”

The blonde’s brows rose as though she were surprised by her employee’s words.

Jasper crossed his arms over his chest. It was time to regain control of this conversation and get back on track with his plan.

“I don’t want a refund. I need a date to my brother’s wedding this weekend. That was why I signed up for this service in the first place.”

Dominique nodded. “I’m very sorry to hear that. Would you like me to see if I can arrange for you to meet someone in the next couple of days? Maybe she would be a suitable candidate.”

The sentence wasn’t complete before Jasper was shaking his head. “No, Veronica will attend with me.”

He ignored the way Veronica stiffened next to him. His words weren’t exactly what they’d agreed to, but she didn’t say that. No, she remained silent.

As he watched Dominique, he saw her mouth tighten. If he wasn’t mistaken, the blonde woman was trying not to smile. Hm, maybe she was an ally after all.

“Only if Veronica agrees,” the woman stated, her tone firm.

Veronica’s head snapped up, her body going rigid. “What?” she asked, her voice cracking as it rose higher in pitch.

Jasper ignored her. This was it. He was on his way to getting what he wanted. He’d find a way to fix the mess he’d made, and he’d do it fast. “She has.”

“I’m glad that’s settled then,” Dominique said. “Once the wedding is over, please give me a chance to help you find the right match.”

There was no way in hell that was happening. The only match he wanted was standing next to him, her body vibrating with surprise and confusion.

Satisfied that this encounter was back on track, Jasper smirked at the blonde woman. “We’ll see.”

When she smiled back, he wondered if it was because she was onto his machinations or she thought she’d gotten her way.

CHAPTER TWO

Veronica couldn’t findher bearings.

How had her conversation with Mr. Bayat devolved from getting him a date or a refund into her attending his brother’s wedding with him? Andwhy in the hellhad her boss accepted the concept without blinking?

On autopilot, she gave Jasper her cell number when he asked for it. Veronica wasn’t sure how it happened. She’d honestly thought he was joking when he said she would be his date. A joke in poor taste, but a joke, nonetheless.

So, when he said that she agreed to go with him, her mind had gone blank. Then, when Dominique had replied as though it was fine if she agreed, Veronica began to wonder if somewhere between the conference room and her desk, she’d somehow entered an alternate dimension.

After saying that he would be in touch with her later that evening, Jasper left the office, a smile on his face and a spring in his step. His satisfaction was so thick that she could almost see it wafting like a fog in his wake.

Of course, he would be smug and satisfied. He got what he wanted. A date for his brother’s wedding.

But Veronica had no idea how she was going to get through it.

One, because Jasper Bayat was insanely attractive. Insane because she had difficulty keeping her thoughts from scattering when she saw him.

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