Jasmine remained quiet. When I looked up, she was smiling slightly and her gaze was penetrative, sharp. I frowned at her.
"Whatever you're thinking right now...don't," I warned her.
I knew that look. That was wicked Jasmine. I suppose she had to come out now after her emotional side had started to dominate a little too much this evening.
She licked her lips and looked towards the door. "Listen, I'm sorry for lying to you. I meant well. If you want to go back to the city, it's fine. But I need to attend the ceremony. I meant what I said about showing up for him." She looked down and let out a small sigh. "It might even give him some closure."
I nodded at her. "Call me when it's happening. I want to be alone right now but I also meant it when I said I will be here for you when you do this."
She smiled at me again with fondness. "Thank you, Jasper Wells. You're truly one of a kind."
****
Chapter Fifteen
Armaan
I emerged on the roof of my house to get some air about twenty minutes before the ring ceremony. There were people everywhere downstairs which was usually fine with me but we had been busy since this morning with the engagement preparations and I'd hardly had a moment alone with Layla or even a moment to myself. Even we extroverts needed to breathe when the world got too overwhelming. We just had longer staying power that was all.
When my gaze slid over the flat roof though, I realised that I wasn't the only one there. Her silhouette was one so familiar that I could recognise it in a heartbeat without even taking into account any of her other features. She was smoking something, probably pot. I let her know I was there with my footsteps but she didn't turn to look at me. Part of me liked to think it was because she could recognise my footsteps just like I had been able to tell it was her in the semi-darkness.
I rested my forearms on the balcony which surrounded my rooftop when I was standing beside her and looked out at the front lawn far below where I could see people moving around and hear their muted laughter and conversation. She held out the joint to me and I waved it off.
"What? Too sinful for you?" she questioned casually.
"I don't need it," I answered. "Got another fix now, honey. And she's gorgeous."
Jasmine hummed something and shifted a little. "Congratulations. I hope she can make you happy."
I laughed a little. "Oh she makes me very happy, baby. I could never ask for a more perfect woman."
She didn't say anything to that and I glanced over at her to find her looking away from me.
"What? Too honest for you?" I asked lazily.
She still didn't answer me.
"I keep thinking why...why did I waste so much of my time and energy on a selfish piece of ass like you when I could've been happy with someone who actually cared about me. Someone who could truly love me."
"Please stop, Aaru," she finally whispered. "I'm sorry I hurt you but I genuinely do wish to see you happy with your new wife. Please don't make this harder for me. It's already been an emotional roller coaster of an evening."
I tucked my tongue in my cheek and told myself not to ask her what happened, not to bother. She'd draw me in with those tears and then grind her heels all over my heart when she finished taking whatever she wanted from me.
So I tried a different approach. One I knew would get under her skin and drive her crazy.
"You know what the best part is, sweetheart?" I drawled, moving closer to her. "She's so fucking good in bed. Better than you. Wayyyy better." I sighed. "And here I thought you were the best I ever had. That what you did to me was mind-blowing and out of this world. I mean, it doesn't even compare to what Layla can do for me."
Jasmine straightened and snuffed out her joint before turning to face me.
"I am this close to losing my shit tonight, I swear," she said through gritted teeth. "Stop provoking me or you won't like my methods of getting even."
I felt a thrill run through me at her words and tone but I stamped down on it harshly. Fuck this. She doesn't get to intimidate me anymore. I was stronger than this now.
"See you downstairs, Jas. Looking forward to receiving your blessings." Smirking in what a believed was a taunting manner, I left her to return to the function, ignoring how wildly my heart was beating just from spending two minutes alone with her. She was fucking dangerous.
My mother grabbed my arm almost as soon as I entered the stage set up in the front lawn for the ceremony.
"Armaan, where did you disappear off to? We're getting ready for the ceremony."
I grinned and walked over to Layla who was smiling at me in the sweetest way. She took my hands in hers and squeezed when I reached her side, looking radiant in her peach designer gown with diamonds glittering on her brown skin.
"Hi," I murmured in her ear and held her to my side proudly. Man, this was it. I was finally going to move on and live my best life, surrounded by so much love. All these good people here to celebrate with me and give me their blessings, my family's undisputed happiness.
I felt grateful but when the ring ceremony was taking place and it was my turn to put the symbol of my promised commitment to Layla on her finger, I hesitated for a few seconds. My
