Page 23 of Hired Husband

“Yeah. I’d love that.”

I didn’t question why she’d asked or why I’d accepted, simply following her out on the street instead. It surprised the crap out of me, but I quickly realized we shared a passion for arts, design, and architecture. While we wandered around without any destination, she pointed out a bookstore that had been around since the dawn of the last century, a palace that had been converted into a hotel, and a dozen other things.

When we finally circled back to our building, she glanced up at me, pausing outside the door. “I’ll only be your tour guide if you can keep up with me. We’ll stop for food and disappear down side alleys. I’ll climb any random old staircase if the view might be worth it and I will not be rushed in a market.”

I looked down into her eyes and nodded. I could travel the world with you if that’s what it would be like.

She looked back up at me like she’d heard the thought, not moving toward the door or looking away, but before either of us could say anything else, the doorman interrupted the moment. “Good evening, Ms. Saad.”

“Hey, Hassan.” She blinked a couple times, like she’d greeted him on autopilot and was only now realizing where she was. “Good night, Isaac. I guess I’ll see you soon.”

Without another word, she disappeared through the front doors, pausing only to wait for the elevator before vanishing. I stood rooted to my spot for a long minute after she was gone, wondering why the hell I’d never realized how much Jasmine and I had in common, and even more worryingly, why it suddenly felt like that mattered.

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.”