Chapter 10
JASMINE
On the day of the gala, I wished more than ever that Deja was still in Cairo. Having her on the phone as my emotional support system when I left the hair salon wasn’t the same as having her with me in person.
“You do not look like Rumi from Demon Hunters,” she was saying as the little bell above the door tinkled when I pulled it open. “I love the braid. It makes you look like a bad ass.”
“I am a bad ass, but that doesn’t mean I want to look like a cartoon character.”
Deja laughed. “Well, then I suppose it’s a good thing you don’t, but even if you did, she’s a super popular character right now. The dragon braid is hotter than ever.”
I squinted against the sudden invasion of sunshine in my eyes, stopping on the sidewalk to slide my sunglasses on before I kept walking. “I guess I do look pretty hot.”
“That’s the spirit,” she said warmly. “I can’t believe we’re missing the gala. I really wanted to be there for it.”
“No, you didn’t. You’re perfectly happy to stay in your love nest with Colin forever.”
An honest-to-God giggle, a sound I was sure she’d never made before she met him, filtered through the phone. “Well, I’m not unhappy about staying in our love nest, but I’ve never missed a gala. We really tried to make it over there for it, but we just couldn’t swing it.”
“There’s always next year,” I said, trying to sound cheerful while moving at a pace that wouldn’t undo the hours of work holding my hair together—and trying to stay far enough away from the street so a passing truck wouldn’t undo it either.
“We’re going to miss you, though. Who’s going to save me from Mom’s matchmaking tendencies and Rami’s complete lack of coordination on the dance floor? ”
“There’s always Isaac,” she suggested with a hint of knowing in her voice. “I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to rescue a damsel in distress.”
I scoffed. “I’m not a damsel. Even when I’m in distress, I refuse to?—”
As I rounded the final corner to my building, I forgot what I’d been about to say, cutting myself off as I suddenly found myself staring right at him.
Isaac stood just outside the entrance to our lobby, juggling a garment bag, a shoe box, and a few other things while also trying to read something on his phone.
“What is it?” Deja asked. “You refuse to what?”
I waved a dismissive hand despite the fact she couldn’t see it. “It’s nothing. I, uh, I found your brother-in-law, and he looks flustered.”
“Well, help him,” she insisted immediately. “He’s a stranger in a new city, Jasmine. Help him.”
“Why?”
“Because galas aren’t his scene and that’s probably what you’re seeing.”
Naturally, he chose that moment to look up, karma making the decision for me when he flashed a smile so relieved that I gave in and went to him. “What’s going on?”
“I, uh, I have some questions.”
“You always seem to.”
Deja’s voice spoke up in my ear, reminding me that she was still on the line and listening to everything I was saying. “Be nice. It wouldn’t kill you to have a bit of empathy.”
“Wouldn’t it?” I mused out loud, then held out the phone toward him, speaking loudly enough that she would be able to hear me. “It’s Deja. Maybe she can talk you off this cliff.”
“I’m not on a cliff,” he protested but took the phone anyway. His eyes slid shut as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Deja? Hey. What’s going on?”
He paused for a beat to listen, and as I watched, he exhaled a deep, long breath, some of the tension easing out of his features.
“Yeah, I know, but it’s just, like, I’ve never been to something like this and Basel’s already talking about introducing me to so many people that it’s making my head spin. ”
I winced in sympathy, understanding a little better why he looked so stressed.
It became even more apparent after he’d listened to whatever my sister said next.
“Thanks, but somehow, I doubt having your family there is going to save me from your father. Plus, I don’t speak the language, I don’t know how not to offend people in business over here, and I didn’t bring dress shoes, so I had to go out and buy some but?—”
Without even thinking about it, I reached over and gently took my phone back. Holding his gaze, I explained to Deja what was going on. Then I said, “Don’t worry about him, okay? I’ve got this.”
She chuckled. “Oh my gosh. He’s so nervous. Just be nice to him. Please? I know I’ve asked you before, but I think he might bail on the gala and Dad would come down on him like a ton of bricks if he does.”
“I’ll deal with it,” I said, then hung up, still staring into those bright blue eyes and wondering why the hell the universe kept doing this to me. “I’m going to take pity on you.”
“You are?”
“Yep.” I inhaled a deep breath and slid my phone back into my pocket. Isaac looked so overwhelmed that it was oddly endearing. This wasn’t his world, and as much as I wanted it to be somebody else’s problem, I also might just want it to be mine. “Do you just want to come to the gala with me?”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s not that hard, Isaac,” I said, motioning toward the building.
“We live in the same place, so we’ll go to the gala together.
When we get there, I’ll introduce you to the people you actually have to know instead of only those my father wants to show you off to, and I’ll stick to your side like glue in case you accidentally offend somebody. ”
He stared at me like he wasn’t sure he’d heard me correctly, but then a slow smile broke out across his face. A sudden twinkle lit those eyes. “You do realize that sounds like a date, right?”
I laughed. “Don’t flatter yourself, buddy. This is just me being nice to you. It’s the start of your grand tour, so be ready at seven sharp and I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
As I spun around, I had to admit that he had a point. It did sound like a date, but I’d rather catapult myself to Mars than admit it out loud. So instead, I simply strode to the elevator, not hating the fact that I could feel him staring at me.
Once I walked into my apartment, however, it was game time. Seven o’clock wasn’t that far away, and if I was going to be ready on time, I needed every last minute. So I did my best to shove Isaac out of my mind, drawing a cool bath and very carefully not getting my hair wet as I washed.
Unfortunately, the man refused to stay out of my thoughts. Even as I lay in my Calm Nostalgia scented bubbles, one of the best scents my sister had ever created, I found my mind drifting toward him. All sorts of things happened to my body when I realized he could be in the shower right now.
Naked.
Wet.
Water trailing down from those broad shoulders to his?—
A completely involuntary soft moan slid out of me and I shocked myself so badly with the sound that I sloshed half the bubbles out of the tub because of how fast I sat up. God, this is ridiculous. I am Jasmine Saad. I do not fantasize about random boys, and I definitely do not get turned on by it.
I did not do vulnerability or connections, and as it was, I had let Isaac see far too much this week, when I’d given him an impromptu little tour of our neighborhood. He was just another guy trying to get in with my father and I didn’t need more of that in my life either.
I’d do well to remember that tonight.
Reaching for my loofah again, I quickly finished up in the bathtub and got out before I could do anything else stupid, like perhaps act on the impulses thinking about him in the shower sent through me.
Once I was out, I dried off and strode into my bedroom utterly nude, getting a little thrill just knowing he was somewhere in the building while I was doing it.
Stop it. Stop.
I grabbed a pair of lacy panties out of my dresser and slid them on before I sat down in front of my mirror. The makeup I needed was already spread out on the table. For the next forty minutes, I put on my public face, dabbing, spritzing, and brushing until my war paint was firmly in place.
And this gala was a war.
People were always watching us closely there, just waiting for any slip by the mighty Saads. There were some who used the opportunity to try and get closer and others who would love nothing more than to see us fall from grace so they could take our place.
It was times like this I understood exactly why Deja had chosen to move to Chicago without putting up much of a fight. It sure is easier, being away from the limelight.
As much as I loved the attention at times, all I really wanted for my future was a life of travel, love, and children someday. Not that I would ever tell anyone that.
Glancing at the standing clock in the center of my room, I stood right on cue, thankfully still completely on schedule despite my little foray into the naughty part of my mind in the tub.
My gown hung against my wardrobe, layers of champagne silk and lace as gorgeous and intricately designed as any wedding dress.
I slipped into it, savoring the feel of the soft fabrics against my skin. Once I’d done up the hidden zipper at the side, I arranged my boobs in the corset and then strode over to the mirror, completely in love with the final effect.
Part of my brain immediately skipped to what Isaac’s reaction was going to be when he saw me like this, but I dismissed the thought without lingering on it. It doesn’t matter. This is for me, and the public, not him.
After walking through a cloud of White Water Lily’s latest signature scent, I refreshed my lipstick and pulled on my heels. Alright. I’m ready.
At seven o’clock on the dot, I stepped out of the elevator and strode into the lobby with my chin held high. Evening light poured through the tall front windows, painting the floors in strips of gold. Isaac was already standing with Hassan, our doorman, near the entrance.
He wore the tuxedo from the boutique, but it really was a perfect fit now. The tailors had followed my instructions to the letter. The fabric sat like a dream across his broad shoulders, framing his narrower waist and hips like it had been made to tempt me.
Those blue eyes were devastating. His blond hair was styled neatly back off his forehead, practically glowing in the light. I swiped my tongue over my lips and narrowed my eyes. He looked so dangerously good that I was going to have to be extra careful tonight.
Hassan noticed me heading toward them, immediately taking a step back from Isaac and wiping the laughter off his face to replace it with a more professional expression. “Good evening, Miss Saad.”
Isaac turned then. His entire body went still when he saw me. It looked like he’d even stopped breathing as his eyes widened just a little, slowly traveling from my face, to my feet, and back up again.
I walked toward him, unable to stop myself from smiling as I put my arms out to my sides and did a slow turn. “Well?”
His mouth opened, but nothing came out. I tilted my head, the smile melting into a smirk as I arched an eyebrow at him. “Cat got your tongue?”
He blinked a couple times. “You… Wow.”
I laughed, much too pleased by his reaction. It really did surpass my wildest expectations. Not that I was expecting anything at all. Obviously.
“How eloquent,” I teased.
He blew out a harsh breath and lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck. “I had a sentence.”
“What happened to it?”
“It might not have been appropriate,” he said without a hint of shame, then extended an arm toward me. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” I slipped my hand through it, ignoring the flicker of awareness of how warm and steady he felt by my side. “I hope you’re ready for this, Isaac. It’s going to be a real big night for the both of us.”