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He releases a deep breath, and I watch him trying to regain his composure. He’s already unraveling, and I haven’t even told him the juicy part of the story yet.
“Why are we returning to France?” He asks. “You want to make up with your mother? That’s a great idea.”
“Make up with her for what?” I frown. “She should be looking to make up with me.”
“Then why are we returning to France.”
“Because…” I pick up my luggage. “I’m taking Jasmine to see my parents.”
For a moment, Damien freezes, his eyes roaming my face while his mouth falls open. In the next moment, he explodes like I knew he would. “Master Alec, that is a thoughtless idea!”
“What? Did you just call me thoughtless?”
“With all due respect, sir, I don’t believe much consideration was put into that thought,” he says. “Your parents would eat Jasmine alive. You’re taking her into the lion’s den.”
“I will be there with her They can’t do anything!”
Damien tuts. “Deep down, you know it’s a bad idea.”
“I just want to get it out of the way. It will happen someday, so why not just do it now? I don’t care what my family thinks. This is not an audition for Jasmine; it’s courtesy.”
Damien stares back at me like I’ve lost my mind, but thankfully, he doesn’t respond. “Hurry and take this to the car.” I point to the luggage. “We’re picking up Jasmine before heading to the airport.”
In another hour, I’m knocking on Riley’s door. The door opens to Riley in black sweatpants, and his gaze drops to my nose as he ushers me in. “How’s your nose?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I roll my eyes. “You hit like a baby.”
“Whatever.” He sits on the couch. “Jasmine says you’re taking her to France. What’s up with that?”
“To meet my parents,” I respond. “And to do some sightseeing.”
“Are your parents ready to meet Jasmine, especially since Eve's breakup is recent?”
“It doesn’t matter if they're ready. They should meet her.”
“You see…” Riley leans forward. “Jasmine is very sensitive and picks up everything around her. If your parents are hostile, it will hurt her. I need you to think about this very well.”
I nod. “I understand your concerns, Riley, but trust me to take good care of her. I’ll be there all through. She won’t be alone.”
Riley is about to respond when we hear noise from the stairway and look to see Jasmine coming down the steps with two heavy pieces of luggage behind her. I quickly rush forward to relieve her of them, enjoying how her eyes brighten happily when she sees me.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No. I just arrived.”
Riley comes to stand in front of us. “I can’t believe I’ll see a day that my sister and best friend become romantically involved. It makes me want to puke.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you done?”
“Take care of yourselves,” Riley says and then points to Jasmine. “Especially you.”
“I will take care of her,” I assure him. “Don’t worry.”
We hold each other’s gaze for a few seconds before we share a hug. I wait until Riley and Jasmine embrace before taking her hand and heading to the door.
“At least I have the TV to myself for another long while,” Riley says as we walk out the door.
“What’s he talking about?” I ask Jasmine, who is laughing heartily at her brother’s words.
