Page 6 of The Sheikh and the Single Mom

Nina Kendrick

Once again, Rashad smiled to himself. It was just as he’d expected; he always got what he wanted. Nina had seemed hesitant to meet with him, but now she’d agreed to sit down with him. Something had changed her mind, and, although Rashad was curious, it didn’t matter what. He only needed an hour or two with her to find out everything he needed to know. After that, it wouldn’t be long until he had a strategy to deal with her company, and Health Trackr would rise to the top. As always.

Quickly, Rashad emailed back.

Dear Nina,

Thank you for your quick response. I look forward to meeting with you tomorrow. Please pack for a weekend of sailing along the coast.

Best,

Rashad

Still smiling, Rashad turned his attention to the next order of business. He was looking forward to seeing Nina the next day, though he didn’t want to look too closely at why.

Rashad didn’t sleep until late that night. When he woke the next morning, he had time to make use of the yacht’s gym and check in with the bare-bones sailing crew he employed for sea voyages. After a quick breakfast, he changed into a casual pair of shorts and a top. A glance in the mirror of his cabin showed a man wholooked relaxed and at ease. Rashad ran a hand through his hair and gave a casual smile. That smile was one he’d developed over time, and it was one of the most effective ways to throw off his opponents. If they thought he was relaxed, they were more likely to let their guards down, which made Rashad’s job that much easier.

A glance at his watch showed that it was almost time for Nina’s arrival. Rashad headed to his ship’s first balcony, which had an excellent view over the dock. He’d be able to spot Nina coming and welcome her with a glass of champagne. They would begin their meeting, pause for a light lunch as they sailed out of San Diego Bay, and resume in the afternoon.

Yet eleven o’clock came and went with no sign of Nina. Despite himself, Rashad began to worry. Perhaps she’d changed her mind and wasn’t coming after all. Perhaps this would be the first time Rashadwouldn’tget what he wanted. It was a sobering thought, and one he quickly dismissed — whether Nina came or not, he could still salvage his deal somehow.

CHAPTER 4

NINA

The morning was quickly turning into a disaster.

First, Nina had woken to a message from Rashad, telling her to plan for a weekend of sailing. Nina knew instantly that she wouldn’t be able to leave her kids that long, nor did she want to. Worse, there was a text from Amanda as well.

Nina, I’m so sorry, but I seem to have the stomach flu. I don’t think I can watch Kate and Miles this weekend.

Nina replied to her babysitter that it was fine, and she should take it easy, but the text created another wave of panic. Now, Nina couldn’t even spend thedayin a meeting with Rashad unless she found a new babysitter immediately. She made a few calls to babysitters she’d worked with in the past, but no one had time on such short notice. Nina’s mom, Amy, lived an hour away, but she was out of town for the weekend with friends, so Nina couldn’t call her. She wasn’t about to leave her kids with an untrusted babysitter, not for a whole weekend, so she was going to have to cancel with Rashad.

“Mommy?”

Nina looked up from her phone to see Miles standing in the doorway. He was wearing his dinosaur pajamas and held his favorite stuffed rabbit by the ear in one hand. His blond hair was tousled and his blue eyes were still heavy.

“Hi, honey.” Nina had barely registered that she was still in her own pajamas in bed — she’d been so worried about sorting out the babysitter situation that she hadn’t even got dressed yet.

“What are we doing today?” Miles crossed the room and climbed into bed with her. He snuggled up against her, resting his downy head on her shoulder. Nina breathed in his distinctive shampoo-and-cornflakes smell.

“I’m not sure yet,” Nina said honestly. “Is your sister awake?”

“No, Kate’s sleeping.” Miles yawned. “Is ’Manda coming to watch us?”

“Not today.”

“Oh, good.” Miles looked up at Nina and beamed. “I like you home.”

“Me, too.” Nina’s heart melted. She wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking, giving up a Saturday with her kids. Yet the problem of what to do about Rashad loomed. She still needed to deal with him. “What do you want to do today?”

“Adventure,” Miles said. He’d recently seen a children’s show in which the characters were always going off on adventures, and it had become his favorite word ever since.

“Adventure, huh?” An idea occurred to Nina, although she wasn’t sure it was a good one. “What about a sailing adventure?”

“Yeah!” Miles’s eyes gleamed. “I like boats.”

“Me too.” The idea began to form more clearly. Certainly, a yacht like Rashad’s would have numerous staff who could keep an eye on Miles and Kate while Nina and Rashad talked business. With any luck, Nina would be able to get the twins onboard and happily occupied with wave watching and coloring books before he even noticed they were there. Then, after the meeting, Nina and her kids could enjoy a lovely afternoon of sailing, which Kate and Miles would love.

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