Page 33 of The Sheikh and the Single Mom

“Soon, I realized that if I wanted to create a life for myself, it would have to be away from politics and royalty. I would need to build something of my own, something that belonged to me alone. That was the only way to make my parents, and myself, proud.

“Around that time, I was a bit reckless. I was a directionless teenager who had been told a hundred times that he was just a spare. I started snowboarding and even went skydiving once, although I’ll never do it again. One day, while I was snowboarding, I fell and broke my leg. I ended up in the hospital for about a week before they discharged me back home, and I saw how important healthcare was. Everyone needs medical attention at some point in their lives, so if I was going to start a business, something medical seemed perfect. That’s when I decided to start a business. And that’s how Health Trackr was born.”

Nina’s heart went out to Rashad. He’d mentioned his brother once or twice before, and she had gotten the impression that they had a strained relationship, but this story made everything much clearer. Nina could all too easily imagine teenage Rashad, hurt that his parents favored his brother so much and desperate to make his own way in the world.

Clearly, that was why Rashad was so ruthless in business. He felt like he had to be.

Nina had been attracted to Rashad for his good looks and his kindness to her children, but that attraction grew now as she saw yet another side of the man she was just starting to know. She wished she could reach back through time and wrap the younger version of Rashad in a hug. She wished she could reach for Rashad’s hand again, as she had that afternoon on the lounge chairs.

“So, you built Health Trackr,” Nina said instead. “What was that like?”

“It was a struggle. At first, I thought I’d ask my parents for an investment, but then I decided I needed to stand on my own feet. I went to college early and studied hard. Soon, I was able to attract two wealthy investors outside my family, Amira Kadif and Abdul Boursani, who’ve now been a part of Health Trackr since the beginning. Slowly, Health Trackr expanded through Al Soub, then other Middle Eastern countries, then slowly into the rest of the world.”

“And what did your parents say when you successfully built your business?” Nina asked. “Were they proud?”

“They don’t really care.” Rashad shrugged. He was clearly trying to look casual, but Nina could see that his parents’ indifferencehurt, even now. “They’re glad I have a hobby, but I think they’d be just as happy if that hobby were golf or painting. Both my mother and father were born into royalty, so they’ve never done anything else. I don’t think they understand the value of what I do.”

“Health Trackr is amazing, though.” Nina leaned closer. “I looked into your company when I was preparing for our first meeting. Whether you started it to make money or to create something of your own or anything else, your work has saved a lot of lives. And you’ve been wildly successful at the same time — perhaps on a more ruthless path than I would take, but it’s still impressive, whether your family sees that or not. I certainly wouldn’t want to compete against you.”

“I wouldn’t want to compete againstyou, either.” Rashad took another sip of his wine, which reminded Nina of her own half-forgotten glass. “It’s a good thing we don’t have to.”

“It is.” Nina sipped her wine. “You said your parents don’t seem all that interested in your business, but what about your brother?”

“Khalid is a great man,” Rashad said. “He’s the ruler Al Soub always needed, I think. But that also means that he doesn’t have time for much other than ruling. He’s a good husband and father and a great sheikh, but he can’t also be a good brother.”

“I’m sorry,” Nina said, not for the first time that day. Once again, she fought an urge to reach for Rashad’s hand across the table.

“That’s all right. My business is my family, for now, at least.”

“I used to feel the same way about Heartbeat.” Nina smiled, thinking back to the early days of her work. “For a long time, it was just me in my apartment with a cup of instant noodlesand a pair of noise-canceling headphones, sleeping at two in the morning and up again at six. Eventually, I was able to hire employees and rent office space, but even then, I didn’t have time for anything other than work — and I wasn’t interested in making time.

“Then the twins came along. I’d always wanted to be a mother, but I was still completely unprepared for how much they changed things. Suddenly, my business was less important — not unimportant, but less important. It affected me much more when Miles took his first steps and Kate said her first word than when Heartbeat reached a new demographic or received a positive review.”

“I never really wanted to be a father,” Rashad admitted. “But seeing your kids, well, perhaps I understand why other people do.”

“I’m glad.” Nina smiled. “But whether or not you have kids on your own, the point is that it’s hard to know what will be most important in your life until you find it. I would never have predicted that I’d love being a mother even more than I love being a businesswoman, but I do. I’m sure there’s family in your future, too, if that’s something you want. Or, at the very least, there’s something or someone that will matter to you more than your work.”

Rashad’s dark brown eyes met Nina’s, and she saw something there — hope, perhaps.

“Do you really think so?”

“I do. Love doesn’t always come in the way you expect it — I always expected to get married before I became a mother, butI still love my kids more than I can say. The unexpectedness doesn’t make the love any less beautiful.”

“I’m surprised that you think I could have a family at all,” Rashad said. “When we first met, you seemed to think I was an irredeemable jerk.”

“Well, either I judged you too quickly, or you’ve changed.” Nina shrugged. “Either way, I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you as more than just a jerk.”

“So am I.”

Music was still playing in the background, and as a slow song came on, Rashad sat up straight.

“Oh, this is a good one.” He got to his feet and held out a hand to Nina. “Will you dance with me?”

“What?” Nina shook her head, laughing slightly. “No. I’m not a good dancer — even though I love this song.” It was one of her favorite classic oldies.

“Come on, I’m sure you’re fine.” Rashad held out his hand again. “Anyway, there’s no one around, and I just told you something I haven’t told anyone before. No one’s going to judge. And I love this song too.”

“Fine.” Nina took his hand, feeling warmth spread up her arm from the place their fingers brushed. “But you had plenty of warning about my dancing skills, so no being surprised when I’m not good at it.”

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