Mom nods. “I don’t always approve of her choices—like for example letting a thirteen-year-old cook in a kitchen.” Mom shoots Jay a look, and Jay purses her lips. “But I love her all the same.”
“And Dee is an intolerable know-it-all, but I love her too,” Jay says. “That never changes with family.”
They laugh and I laugh too. Mom and Jay go into the kitchen to talk, and I know she’s about to let Jay have it for things that happened four years ago. But she’ll do it with love.
And as I bite into one of the brownies, I know that even though people claim romantic love matters the most, sometimes all you really need is the love of your ridiculous family.
EPILOGUE
AUGUST 15
The rest of the summer passed in a blur of paperwork and video chats. There was a mountain of little things that needed to be done before spending a year abroad. But with my mom and dad’s help, I got my passport, residency card, and other documentation in order.
My sister was also busy in the late summer. With my permission, and my interview, she did two last episodes of The Little Bachelorette. It’s been a huge success, and it’s now linked to her website. Everyone loves the spin of her ending up with one of the contestants.
My sister and Aaron, in case you’re wondering, are absolutely insufferable together—in the best way. They’re a blissfully happy, gorgeous couple that makes other couples feel bad about themselves.
It’s gross.
Because of the success of The Little Bachelorette, Cari’s campus radio station offered her her own show. She’s thinking about doing a contest on campus—one everyone will consent to this time. Aaron and I have both told her she should do it. She’s also gotten more podcast sponsors and used some of that money to buy me new clothes.
I said I didn’t need new stuff, but she wanted me to look good when I’m in the fashion capital of the world. I’m hoping I will be in a chef’s jacket most of the time.
Right after brownies, Aunt Jay introduced me to Chef Jeanne Dumont, whom she knew from culinary school. I’ve video chatted and messaged with Chef Dumont, and she’s willing to audition me in her well-reviewed restaurant in the heart of Paris. She was impressed by the fact that I cooked at the pop-up benefit and that Chef Matthews recommended me. I don’t know if I’ll get the job—there are no guarantees, because she needs to see how I perform in the kitchen—but I’m hopeful. I’m also stunned that Chef Matthews said I “had promise.”
I’ve practiced cooking every day, to Davey’s delight. He’s grown a full, unfair inch this past month, and it’s made him hungrier than even normal. We played restaurant at dinnertime, where my family would order from a menu I created that afternoon. My little brother went a step too far, though. He sent back a steak one day and I sent a wooden spoon flying at his head.
My extended family has also been incredibly supportive. At our grandparents’ July sixth party, the family, somewhere between being sorry for what they did and happy for me, surprised me by pooling together and giving me enough money for my rent. It was too much and I didn’t want to take it, but they insisted. Aunt Regina called it damages for emotional distress.
And now I’m holding the ticket Emily, June, Aaron, and Justin Michael paid for as I stand among them and my entirely too big family at the departures section of Orlando International Airport.
I already checked my giant suitcase. I’m bringing a carry-on on the plane, which has books and a change of clothes in it, in case they lose my luggage (my mom insisted).
The mob of Venturas and Yaps descends on the TSA checkpoint, and the guards are visibly alarmed. They’re talking into their radios, and I’m pretty sure my family will be asked to leave.
“Well, I guess it’s time to go,” I say.
I start my goodbyes. This’ll take a while. There are fifty of them between slaps with cousins, perfumed hugs with aunts, and waving to my dad, who, obviously, is recording this moment.
Actually, there’s fifty-four with June, Emily, Justin Michael, and Aaron. Paul didn’t come to the airport, but he texted and wished me a good trip. We don’t talk much anymore, but it was nice that he remembered.
“Goodbye, June Bug,” I say.
She wraps me in a hug and I can feel her tears on my shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re leaving.…”
“You’re leaving too, don’t forget,” I say.
She and Justin Michael are going to drive together to college because Georgia Tech and Emory are both in Atlanta. I’ve raised my eyebrows about how “close” they’ll be, but she keeps shaking me off and pretending like she doesn’t know what I mean.
Note: she knows what I mean.
“Get in here,” I say to Emily.
We have one last Angels’ hug. Emily has to leave straight from the airport to drive to LSU with her parents, but she refused to miss this.
“I love you both so much,” I say.
“Obviously. We’re incredible,” Emily says. “You’d better be on WhatsApp all the time.”
“Constantly,” I say.
“I love you,” she says.
It’s hard to believe this is the last time I’ll see them in person for a while. They’ve said they’ll come to Paris for spring break and I can’t wait. I let them go physically, but they’re in my heart forever.
Emily fans her eyes to dry her makeup, and June tries to stiffen her lip. Justin comes alongside of her.
“Stardust,” I say.
“I’ll miss you, Candy,” he says.
He wraps me in a hug and even though it’s not there, I smell Cocoa Puffs and newsprint on him once more.
“Take care of yourself… and her for me,” I whisper.
He releases me and gives me a look like, “Did you say what I think you said?” I raise my eyebrows once and glance over at June. He blushes. Actually blushes.
“I’ll, um, drive safe,” he says.
But his look tells me all I need to know. Maybe there will be another unexpected love match from The Little Bachelorette contest after all.
I slap Aaron five. “Take care of my sister or…”
“Or you’ll come at me with a baseball bat again? Believe me, I’m terrified,” he says. He spins me up into a hug. He’s different now that he’s dating Cari. There’s less of that playboy façade and just a deeply nice guy. “Take care and come to Nashville when you’re back stateside.”
“I will,” I say.
When he puts me down, I’m facing Aunt Jay. She’s the last person I need to say goodbye to. And also the hardest. We’ve been cooking together during all my free time since the night she and I talked.
“I’m going to miss you, kiddo, but you’re going to do great,” she says.
I throw my arms around her. “Thank you again for everything you’ve done. Even with the pop-up… I couldn’t have done this without—”
“You could’ve. And you would’ve done it without me,” she says, shaking her head. She hands me a small box. “Open this when you get to Europe.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll see later,” she says.
I’m thoroughly confused, but I take the small box from her and put it in my carry-on. “Okay.”
“I love you, Jaz, and I’m so proud of you,” she says. “You have what it takes.”
Tears prick my eyes but I smile at her. “I’ve always been proud of you,” I say.
I already said goodbye to my parents, but I hug them one more time and tell them I’ll talk to them soon.
My family and friends watch me go through security, my dad taking a million pictures, until I turn for my gate. I immediately feel the loss of them, and there’s still a part of me that wants to turn around and run back. But a part of me will always want to take the safest route. I just have to conquer it.
I’m going to Paris. My dream, the one I barely dared to whisper a season ago, is coming true. With the help of my family and friends, it’s become real. I’ve been reading French books, listening to French songs
, trying to immerse myself and… I still suck at French. But I’ll try harder and get better.
I find my gate and sit down. I look at the clock and I have only… two hours before the plane boards.
Ugh. Mom and her ever-earliness.
I read. I eat. I do another Duolingo lesson, and I still have… more than an hour to go.
I sigh. With my adrenaline so high, it’s hard for a book to keep my attention. I rummage through my carry-on for the other book, and the box Aunt Jay gave me tumbles out.
It was weirdly cryptic when she gave me the present, but there’d been so much emotion in saying goodbye to my family and friends that it didn’t even register. It does now. It’s a larger jewelry box, which is odd because Aunt Jay isn’t a jewelry fan. Maybe it’s something for the kitchen.
So, like Pandora before me, I open the box.
My heart stops.
Inside there’s a watch. I know this watch. I remember the boy’s wrist it used to decorate. I remember the boy.
Eugene already left for Europe. He flew out August 1. Not that I stalked him or anything.
Note: I totally still creep on his Instagram.
But this is his watch. Why did Aunt Jay give it to me?
I lift it up, and the back of the face is engraved. TIME TO FIND YOUR WAY.—E. B.
I shake my head. Eugene is E. M. But E. B. sounds familiar. Then it hits me: Eugene Bruin was Chef Matthews’s mentor. He basically got Jack off the streets when he was addicted to drugs and introduced him to the kitchen. He must’ve given this to Jack, who gave it to Eugene, and now… he’s giving it to me?
That’s impossible. I’m a girl he only went on three dates with. And we haven’t spoken in more than a month.
But I look closer. It’s the same brand, but it’s not the same worn leather. This is new. The same way his dad has a newer one. It’s a replica.
Underneath the watch there’s a business card. It’s from Lantern & Jacks. I flip it over and there’s writing.
I hope you find your way, Jasmine. And maybe, one day, it’ll lead you to me.
—E
I stare. I read it. I read it again. And again. And again. I miss him. We didn’t know each other long at all—the impression was swift, but it was deep.
I put the card back in the box and place the watch on my left wrist. It’s ticking, but the time is wrong. It’s… wait, it’s on Paris time.
Before I can overthink it, I grab my phone and open iMessages.
Captain Eugene Crunch
So, if you’re ever in Paris and want to look me up, I’ll be the girl with a fancy new watch
Gray dots finally appear and I hold my breath. He’s there, and at least he’s trying to talk to me.
Hi, Jasmine
Are you already in Paris?
Not yet. Waiting to board my flight
Well, I can be the guy with the matching watch who picks you up from the airport
If I were sipping water, I would’ve spit it out.
Wait, are you really in France?
I can be
Okay, I am, but I sound less creepy if I claim I’m not
I can’t help it. I smile.
It’s the gentleman creeper thing to do
I am in France. I’m here with my mom because she wanted to do a second wine course. But also… because you. Jay told me you were coming
A last, parting interference from my beloved family. But just the thought of Eugene takes my breath away. I don’t know where this will go. I don’t know how to feel about him after everything that happened. And I don’t know how it’ll be to see him again. But maybe that’s okay.
I’ll text you when I land
And I’m still smiling when they announce boarding for my flight. It’s so cheesy, but that’s okay. Cheese is honest.
I grab my bag and make my way toward the plane and whatever future lies ahead.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, an enormous thank you to my long-suffering agent, Lauren Abramo, who signed me in the first ever #DVPit and has constantly believed in me, even when I doubted myself. Thank you for your wisdom and for fielding all my emails that started with “a great idea from me!” and ended in “idk what if I just became a sock puppeteer instead.” I don’t know where I’d be without Jennifer Ung, whose amazing guidance helped me breathe life into Jasmine and her zany family. Words can’t express the value of your support in helping me shape this story and how fantastic it was to work with you.
Thank you to everyone at Simon Pulse, now Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for your hard work and talents. Special thanks to Krista Vossen and Kat Goodloe for the beautiful cover and for making Jasmine so perfect. Thank you to Justin Chanda and Kendra Levin for believing in this story. Thank you Krista Vitola for all your ongoing support. Thank you also to Dainese Santos, Katrina Groover, Lynn Kavanaugh, Sara Berko, Lauren Hoffman, Chrissy Noh, Lisa Moraleda, Christina Pecorale, Victor Iannone, Emily Hutton, Michelle Leo, and Anna Jarzab for helping me turn this wild dream of writing a young adult novel into reality.
A million thanks to Beth Phelan for creating #DVPit which not only introduced me to Lauren, but allowed me to become part of the fantastic DVSquad. The community I gained remains priceless and I’m ever grateful for your selfless dedication to making publishing more inclusive. Thank you to my fantastic CPs, especially Karen McManus, who inspires me as an amazing author and an even better friend. Thank you to Jenn Dugan, for your humor and wit and murder cat stories. Thank you to Llama Jen, for your insight and counterbalance. Thank you to Gloria Chao, for sprint rush CPing with me when we thought: hey, maybe we can land agents. Thank you to Straight Justin, Karen Strong, Erin Hahn, June Tan, Caroline Richmond, Patrice Caldwell, and Fallon DeMornay for your friendship and advice. Thank you to Kiki Nyugen for your love and being the best cheerleader ever. A big thank-you to Kara Leigh Miller for teaching me so much when we were mentors together, and thank you to all my mentees for allowing me to be a small part of your journeys.
To my zany family: Thank you to my children, who were mostly good while I was “still” writing my book. My sunshine and heart, you are my true loves and inspirations. Thank you to my loving mom, who has always been there for me and who said maybe I should actually sell one of the books I write, and to Gregg for making the time for me to try. Thank you to my sister Jill, who is not at all feckless, for reading my first, not-good books but being kind about them, and Matt for much the same but also being my best friend. Thank you to my father, for first instilling this love of books that I’ve carried with me to today. Last but not least thank you, my readers, for taking this journey with me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PHOTO: LEILA EVANS
MEREDITH IRELAND was born in Korea, and adopted by a New York librarian. Her love of books started early and although she pursued both premed at Rollins College and law at the University of Miami, stories were her fate.
A variety of questionable choices brought her to Upstate New York, where she currently resides with her two children and Bob, a carnival goldfish, who’s likely a person. She writes young adult books, some of which you may like. The Jasmine Project is her debut novel.
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/teen
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Meredith-Ireland
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Text © 2021 by Meredith Ireland
Jacket illustration © 2021 by Kat Goodloe
Jacket design by Krista V
ossen © 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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Interior design by Hilary Zarycky
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ireland, Meredith, author.
Title: The Jasmine Project / Meredith Ireland.
Description: First edition. | New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2021] | Audience: Ages 12 up. | Audience: Grades 7 up. | Summary: When Korean American Jasmine Yap’s long-time boyfriend, Paul, is caught cheating on her, her giant, overprotective family secretly arranges to use her graduation party to introduce her to Orlando’s most eligible men.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020050023 (print) | LCCN 2020050024 (eBook) | ISBN 9781534477025 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534477049 (eBook)
Subjects: CYAC: Dating (Social customs—Fiction. | Family life—Florida—-Fiction. |
Self-esteem—Fiction. | Korean Americans—Fiction. | Orlando (Fla.)—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.I743 Jas 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.I743 (eBook) |
DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020050023
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020050024
The Jasmine Project Page 26