Page 32 of Djinn in Love

“Sorry about that,” he murmured. “I know I warned you what my family was like, but it’s different seeing it in person.”

When he looked down, she was smiling up at him. “Your parents are hilarious,” she insisted. “And fun. It’s also clear that they adore each other.”

Jasper was tempted to lean down and press his lips to the small dimple that had popped up in her left cheek, but he suppressed the urge. “They do adore one another, but I think their love language is annoying each other.”

Veronica’s laugh was unrestrained as she tilted her head back. It was from her belly and shook her entire body. “That’s what makes them funny and fun,” she replied.

“Maybe to you. To me, it’s frustrating as hell.”

She laughed again, unable to help herself. During the short time she’d worked with Jasper at Mystical Matchmakers, he’d come across as intense. And as a workaholic.

But this week, she was seeing a different side of him. He was both sweet and snarky, making her blush one moment and laugh the next. In truth, it made her wonder why he needed the matchmaking service at all. Though he was blunt, there was nothing off-putting about Jasper. He was handsome, successful, witty, and clearly a devoted son. Why hadn’t some other woman snatched him up yet?

Jasper left his hand on her lower back, guiding her across the room. People tried to speak to him, but he lifted a hand and waved as he kept them moving until they stopped right in frontof Milo, who was standing next to a stunning woman in white. She appeared to be close to Veronica’s age.

The young woman was smiling up at Milo and Veronica could feel the love and happiness radiating from her. It made Veronica smile as well. The young woman, who must be Milo’s fiancée, Prema, turned and all but hopped in excitement when she saw Jasper and Veronica.

“Brother-in-law!” she cried. She stepped forward and threw her arms around Jasper’s neck. He gave her a hug in return.

“Hey, now. Keep your paws off my fiancée,” Milo complained, wrapping an arm around the woman’s waist and tugging her away from his brother.

Laughing, she allowed herself to be pulled away from Jasper. Her light brown eyes were bright as she looked toward Veronica. “Hi, I’m Prema Shah.”

“Soon to be Bayat,” Milo interrupted.

Veronica took the hand that Prema held out and shook it. “Veronica Salt.”

“So nice to meet you, Veronica,” she said. “I’m glad you came with Jasper. I thought my mother was going to set him up with my sister, Jasmine, and I was afraid she’d eat him alive.” Prema laughed, but her affection for her sister radiated from her.

“I’m glad I came with Jasper, too,” she murmured. At her words, Jasper’s hand slid down her lower back around her waist, pulling her deeper into his side. She glanced up to find him looking down at her, a slight smile on his face.

Veronica relaxed as they chatted, finding that she liked Prema. She clearly loved Milo and fairly sparkled with excitement as they discussed the wedding. After a while, she realized that she was letting Jasper take some of her weight, leaning deeper into him. When she tried to straighten, he held her tighter, keeping her body against his.

For the next hour, he kept her close. He either held her hand or kept his arm around her waist as he introduced her to his family members and friends of his parents. He got her a glass of wine and plate of snacks before finding them a quieter corner table so they could eat the finger foods. She felt his attention, knew that he was keeping track of whether she was tired or not.

Maybe his high-handedness should have irritated her, but, honestly, Veronica appreciated it. He was taking care of her. It had been a long time since someone tried to do that. None of her previous boyfriends had, that was for sure.

Throughout the evening, Veronica noticed a pretty young woman watching her with Jasper. She looked enough like Prema for Veronica to assume they were related. Until she got a closer look at her eyes. They were light brown, almost gold. The same as Prema’s. Veronica realized that she must be Prema’s sister, Jasmine. There were waves of irritation and frustration surrounding her. And jealousy. She wondered if Jasmine had been hoping that her mother set her up with Jasper after all.

It wasn’t until Jasper approached an older couple speaking to the young woman that her suspicion was confirmed.

“Darya, Darius, this is Veronica Salt. My date for the weekend,” Jasper said.

The woman smiled and took both of Veronica’s hands in hers. “Hello, dear. Your dress is beautiful!” She released Veronica’s hands, turning to the young woman. “This is my daughter Jasmine, Veronica.”

Jasmine didn’t hold out her hand, but she did nod at Veronica.

Chuckling, Darya patted her daughter’s shoulder. “Isn’t it lovely, dear? You don’t have to pair up with Jasper this weekend after all.”

Another wave of jealousy and irritation wafted from Jasmine and Veronica realized that the young woman definitely wasupset that shewouldn’tbe spending time with Jasper this weekend.

Feeling awkward, Veronica shifted on her feet, trying to take a small step away from Jasper. She didn’t manage it because he tugged her closer, looking down at her.

“Do your feet hurt?” he asked. Before she could answer, he turned back to Darya, Darius, and Jasmine. “Please excuse us. We’ll see you all at the luncheon tomorrow.”

He basically dragged her away from them. She assumed he was going to find her a place to sit down, so she stammered, “Really, Jasper. My feet are fine. I don’t need to sit down.”

“Good.”

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