Page 27 of I Accidentally Married A Sheikh

"Yes," I whisper.

"But you are unable to make it."

I nod.

Silence.

My eyes fly open, and I can't believe what I'm seeing.

"Z-Zahir..."

"It gives me no pleasure to hear you say my name out of pity."

"I don't pity you!"

"I stand corrected then." His tone is excruciatingly polite. "You simply do not know if you want me enough to choose me."

I think I'm in shock again.

It's the only way to explain how I have the craziest urge to laugh.

Since most people already have a hard time understanding what Jamieson sees in me, I won't be surprised if I'm accused of blackmail, witchcraft, and whatnot once people see me with Zahir.

He's a sheikh.

And a general.

Who also happens to be the hottest person alive.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to think that Zahir can have any woman in the world...and yet here he is, with his golden eyes made fierce by blatant jealousy...andoh.

His gaze narrows. "You thought of something," he says sharply. "Haven't you?"

Is this his instincts at work...or is it something else?

"Tell me," he commands.

And there it is,I think dazedly.

It just keeps getting clearer and clearer, and the realization has my heart racing faster and faster as I hear myself whisper, "I've b-been asking myself w-what makes you different, and I...I get it now."

His fist clenches and unclenches over the table, and my heart trips at the sight of it.

Oh, Zafir.

He obviously expects me to be the bearer of bad news, and he's right.

In a way.

"My mom used to readAlice's Adventures in Wonderlandto me every night," I say jerkily. "And whenever we'd have meals together, we'd pretend we were in Wonderland and talk about our plans. Afternoon tea with the Mad Hatter. Run a marathon with Mr. Rabbit. Watch a horror movie with the Jabberwocky."

My chest aches as I find myself reliving the past, but the pain is bittersweet.

"She was an amazing mom. She always prayed that I'd have a life that's crazy and wonderful just like Alice's. And I used to want that, too. Because there were times when Mom seemed like a real-life Alice herself. It was just one adventure after another with her, and we didn't even have to leave the house. Her imagination took useverywhere."

I wish I could end the story there.

"Until it didn't."

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