“Why not?”he asked, entirely unfazed.He took another bite, glancing at the cheesesteak in admiration.“These are amazing.What’s the name of the other place?Pat’s competitor?”
“Geno’s,” Jemma answered automatically, still reeling from everything he’d just said.“And Saif, Ican’t—”
“What’s the difference in the cheesesteaks?”he asked, as if they were having a casual lunch instead of a life-altering conversation.
“They’re both good,” she replied, frustrated, then closed her eyes for a second to gather her thoughts and force the conversation back on track.“But that’s not the point—”
“This one’s really good,” Saif said, taking another thoughtful bite.He tilted his head slightly, as if studying the ingredients.“But it’s made with Cheese Whiz.Is that even real cheese?”
“No!”she snapped, her control slipping.“Saif!I can’t marry you this weekend!”
Saif didn’t respond.Instead, he smiled down at Jayla, who was now reaching for the sandwich in his hand, her mouth open, little fingers stretching greedily toward the foil-wrapped prize.
“Not yet, love,” he murmured, his voice suddenly tender, intimate.Jemma stilled, startled by the softness.“But when you’re older, we’ll get both Pat’sandGeno’s and compare them properly.A very serious scientific endeavor.”
“Saif, you’renotlistening to me,” Jemma grumbled through gritted teeth, barely resisting the urge to throw her sandwich across the room.
He looked up calmly.“Of course I’m listening to you,habibi.But you haven’t given me a better alternative to my suggestion.”
She gaped at him.“So ouronlyoption is to get married and live happily ever after?”
“Yep,” he said, completely unfazed by her sarcasm as he gently smoothed Jayla’s soft hair.“Your momma’s a very smart woman.”
“Saif!” she shouted, the sandwich landing in her lap with a defeated thud.“This isn’tfunny!”
He finally lifted his gaze to hers and winked.“Of course it is.You’re arguing against something that makes perfect sense.”
Before she could launch into another rebuttal, Jasper reappeared in the hallway, eyeing the food.
He stood awkwardly in the doorway, glancing at the tiny kitchen to Saif, then back again.“You really got me more than one?”
“Help yourself,” Saif said with a chuckle, nodding toward the remaining sandwiches.
Jasper grabbed another cheesesteak and a second cup of fries, then retreated, smirking as he disappeared back into his bedroom.
“You’re atraitor!” Jemma called after him.
The only response was the softsnickof his door closing.
Saif leaned forward slightly.“Jemma, I’ve already looked into schools in my neighborhood.I’d like to enroll Jasper in the Monument School.It’s a boarding program for gifted teens.”
She blinked.“What?”
“I’ve been reviewing his coursework.His teachers all say he’s bored.He’s outpacing the material.Monument offers the kind of academic challenge he deserves.”
He paused to examine a fry before choosing one.“This isn’t about the wedding.I’d like to sponsor him either way.”
Jemma opened her mouth, but no words came.
A loudthudfrom behind the wall interrupted her.Her eyes widened—was that...Jasper falling off the bed?
“That’s very generous of you, but—”
Another emphatic thump made her sigh and glance at the wall.“But I’ll discuss it with Jasperwhen,” she said, raising her voice slightly, “he’snot eavesdropping.”
A rustling noise came from the other side of the wall.She pictured her brother scrambling sheepishly back onto the mattress.
With a deep breath, she turned back to Saif.“But the idea ofusgetting married is ridiculous.”
