Page 23 of Djinn in Love

His mother’s eyes moved over them as they stood together, and a faint smile tugged at her mouth. It vanished so quickly that Jasper wasn’t certain Veronica saw it, but he did. And it made him suspicious as hell.

“There are no extra rooms this weekend,” his mother said, forcing her face into the semblance of a frown.

He could tell it was fake because there was a line that appeared between her eyebrows whenever she was truly irritated, and it was missing. Leila the Meddler was striking again. “Mother…”

“I’m sorry, darling. It’s just not possible. Now, if you’d told me you needed another room two months ago, I could have done it.”

Jasper didn’t bother arguing. He knew that she was digging in. “I’ll just go speak to the manager myself, then.”

Still holding Veronica against his side, he moved toward the counter, hearing his mother sigh behind them.

“Jasper—” Veronica began.

“It’s fine. She’s just playing matchmaker. I’m sure there are rooms left.”

Veronica didn’t say anything else, just did her best to match her stride to his. When he realized he was moving too quickly for her, he slowed down, his arm around her waist loosening a bit.

A tall, statuesque woman with blonde hair stood at the counter. Her nametag declared that she was the manager and her name was Poppy.

“Hello, Poppy,” Jasper said when they came to a stop on the other side of the antique counter. “I’m here for the Bayat-Shah wedding this weekend. My mother was supposed to arrange for two adjoining rooms for us. She forgot to do so.”

The woman’s smile was serene. “Your name, sir?” she asked.

“Jasper Bayat.”

She looked down at the computer screen in front of her and began typing. After a few moments, she looked back up, her face pulling into a gentle frown. “I’m sorry, Mr. Bayat, but we don’t have two adjoining rooms available. Our last four rooms were booked about an hour ago. But I do have you in one of our cabins. It is one bedroom, but there is a pull-out couch.”

Jasper glanced over his shoulder and saw his mother watching them, her arms crossed over her chest and her brows raised. The smirk playing about her mouth told him that this little hiccup was due to her scheming. He wouldn’t put it past her to have reserved the last four rooms just to create exactly this situation.

Why was she so determined to make his life more difficult?

Jasper faced the manager again. “That will have to do. Could you please give me a call if there are any cancellations on a two-bedroom cabin or two adjoining rooms happen to become available?” He knew it was long shot, but he had to try.

“Of course, Mr. Bayat.”

“Please call me Jasper,” he stated. “I always look around for my father when I hear Mr. Bayat.”

Poppy’s answering smile was more genuine. “Of course. Let me get you checked in. Will you need two keys?” she asked.

“Yes, please.”

As she began to type away, Jasper looked down at Veronica. “I am sorry about this,” he said. “I asked my mother to take care of it earlier this week and it’s clear that she didn’t. I should have handled it myself.”

Veronica tilted her head to look up at him. She seemed calm, but the blush was back in her cheeks. “It will be fine.”

“I can room with my brother until the wedding,” he offered.

“It will be fine, Jasper,” she said.

The fine tension running through her told a different story, though. Jasper felt a sharp pain shoot from his jaw down his neck as he ground his molars together. His meddling mother was likely to fuck everything up if she didn’t butt out. He would have to make himself clear this evening.

He would also talk to his brother about rooming together until Saturday, no matter what Veronica said. She should be comfortable while they were here.

A few moments later, Poppy looked up from the computer. “You’ll be in the Campfire Cabin. If you follow the drive to the right of the lodge, it will be the fourth cabin on your left. There is a golf cart parked beneath the carport beside the cabin. It will be yours to use during your stay.” She slid a little paper folder across the counter that held their keycards. “The wi-fi is free and the password is listed inside there,” she stated, gesturing to the small folder. “Will there be anything else?” she asked.

Jasper shook his head. “Do you need my credit card?”

“No, the rooms for the bridal and groom party have been taken care of by the bride’s family. Please enjoy your stay.”

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