Page 19 of Her Older Sheikh

Truly.

"They left a while ago."

Brian's words startle me into looking at him again, and the wry expression on his good-looking face makes me cringe.

"I'm so sorry." What else is there to say?

"If you really like him—-"

I quickly shake my head. "I don't—-"

"You can always make him jealous by spending more time with me."

I forget what I have to say when his motive becomes clear, and I end up laughing despite everything.

Bryan winces. "Ouch. Am I that inferior to him?"

"You know I don't mean it that way—-"

"Then it's a date," he says with a grin.

Did I just get guilt-tripped into a date?

"Brian..."

"It's just one date," he cajoles. "And it's for a good cause, too."

It's my first time to hear making another man jealous described in such a way, and I find myself smiling helplessly despite everything.

"If you go out with me again, your grandfather will lie low on the matchmaking."

He makes a pretty good point, but is it really alright for us to go on another date when we both know I like someone else?

"We'll have fun, I swear."

I take a deep breath and finally relent. "Just one date then."

Brian grins and clenches his fist in a gesture of victory."Yes!"

His reaction is flattering, but just when I'm starting to think there's a chance for me to like him a little more, Brian's phone starts ringing and I see the name 'Jennifer' flash on his screen just before my date quickly shoves his phone deep into his pocket.

Brian clears his throat. "I wish I can spend more time with you, but I have to meet up with my study group..."

"Oh, sure." I smile at him reassuringly. "Please don't let me keep you."

Relief flashes over his face, and I feel more amused than offended as I cheerfully wave him off. With #6 being anotherepic fail, I think it's time to tell Grandpa Paco that these boys from Paradijs just aren't for me.

Oh well.

I'm sure other girls would've still given him a chance, but I want what Mama and Papa had. I know my standards are pretty unrealistic and unreasonable, but I don't care. I want to be with a man who'd pursue me with passion and obsess over me and me alone—-

(Like Mr. Mine, perhaps?)

The thought comes out of nowhere,but I quickly brush it aside and distract myself by checking the time.

Mm.

Since it usually takes Grandpa Paco at least an hour before he's done playing backgammon with his old pals, I guess that leaves me free to just wander aimlessly around the club, and that's exactly what I end up doing until my feet eventually take me to a gardenside cafe.

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