Page 52 of Djinn in Love

Veronica shivered and sidestepped his touch. “Jasper,” she said, his name a clear reprimand.

“What?” he asked as he stood.

“We need to get to the reception. Your family already thinks poorly of me and?—”

“Whoa. Back up. My family thinkspoorly of you? Who told you that?” Whoever it was would regret their words.

Veronica sighed. “This is what I wanted to talk to you about.” She bit her lip. “God, I really need another glass of wine before we talk about this, but I think it’s better if we have privacy when we do.”

His heart gave a quick double thump before it sank in his chest. She looked sad and upset. He didn’t care who it was who put that look on her face, but he would make it very clear that it would never happen again. Even if it was his own mother.

She took a deep breath and released it before she continued, “I was resting in the alcove in the hallway after the ceremony, just getting a little break from the cocktail party. Your aunt, Samira, and her daughter were chatting right outside. They didn’t know I was in there.”

Jasper scowled. “What did they say?”

“Nothing really bad,” Veronica assured him. “But your aunt seemed concerned that I worked for the matchmaker service. She thought it was unprofessional for me to date a client and said she was surprised your mother didn’t think so, too.”

Jasper tried not to react, but she was observant enough to see the subtle change in his expression.

“Did she say something like that?” Veronica asked.

“Yes, but it was because she didn’t understand what really happened. Just like Samira doesn’t understand. If she did, she would know that dating a client was the last thing you wanted to do.”

“She’s not wrong,” Veronica pointed out.

“I don’t care what she thinks,” Jasper stated. “And I don’t want you to care either. The only thing that matters to me is that you’re happy and that I’m happy. Aunt Samira, Mina, even my mother, don’t affect what happens between you and me.”

Veronica’s smile was tremulous. “Well, Samira also seemed concerned that I was an empath. That I would want to keep you away from your family because being around them would overwhelm me.” She cleared her throat. “She said your mother told her, so I’m guessing you told your parents?”

She took a tiny step back when she saw the look on his face.

“I did tell my parents. And my brother. I’m sorry that I didn’t share that with you. I wanted to let you be the one to tell them, but I also wanted them to understand that you were going to be my priority this weekend and why.”

He still looked enraged. Veronica shifted back another step.

“I understand, Jasper,” she whispered. “I’m not upset about that. Your parents and Milo had a right to know about what I am. This is supposed to be a happy family event and, well?—”

“Don’t say anything negative about yourself,” he commanded. “You are exactly who you should be.”

Veronica pressed her lips together and swallowed hard. God, she had no idea how to respond when he said things like that.

After a few tense moments, Jasper sighed and slumped forward.

“This was one hell of a conversation for you to overhear while you were trying to relax in peace,” he muttered, a fierce scowl taking over his face. His black eyes glittered with fury. “It was also one hell of a conversation for them to be having at what should be the happy family event you mentioned.”

Oh, no. This was not what Veronica wanted. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it now because she didn’t want to cause drama at his brother’s wedding. She wasn’t as doubtful about Jasper’s motivations or feelings toward her as she had been earlier, so the conversation no longer seemed like a big issue to her. She crossed the room until she stood in front of him.

Putting a hand on his arm, she said, “Jasper, please don’t get upset and confront your aunt. Nothing she said seemed to come from maliciousness. The only impression I got off her was that she was concerned about you and that she was sincerely worried our relationship might not be good for you.”

Jasper stepped into her, lowering his head as he used both hands to cradle the back of her head beneath her fall of hair. “I am a grown man, Veronica. While I appreciate that my aunt loves me, she doesn’t need to concern herself with my romantic decisions unless I ask for her opinion.”

Veronica bit her bottom lip as she stared up at him. “Her heart was in the right place, Jas,” she said, putting her hands on his chest. “Please don’t make a scene today. It’s about Milo and Prema. Not about you and your aunt.”

Knowing she was right, Jasper sighed. “Fine. I won’t say anything today, but my aunt and Iwillbe having a talk tomorrow or Monday. And I will make it clear that any thoughts she has about you and my relationship should stay in her brainand not come out of her mouth. Or, if she absolutely has to say something, she should talk to me or her daughter in private and not at a crowded event where anyone, especially the woman I care about, can overhear her.” He leaned down and dropped a kiss on her lips. “And don’t think I didn’t notice how you used my nickname to soften me up.”

“Did it work?” she asked.

His only answer was to kiss her again.

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