Page 23 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

9

There was no sex that night, and it was entirely her fault. After their first kiss, her morning sickness resurged, and she raced to the bathroom, throwing up all of his mother’s wonderful calming tea.

After her stomach settled, it took an hour for her to shower and have the nerve to come back out of the bathroom. Did he want to pick things back up again, or had her nausea been a total turnoff? Jarah just patted the bed and told her to get some sleep.

A humiliating outcome to the evening, and sleep had not come easily. She woke up alone, anxious thoughts still plaguing her, but she tried to push them away as Gwen and Callista dragged her out of the palace.

“Zev’s birthday is coming up,” Callista explained as their car turned toward the market. Streets were lined with shops and owners displaying their wares on tables on the sidewalk. Children shrieked and ran, chasing each other, while adults shopped. Conversations rose as haggling grew intense, some negotiations ending in arguments and others in laughter. It looked like chaos, but as Aubrey walked with Gwen and Callista, she realized there was a rhythm to it.

Both behind them and in front of them, the palace guards walked. Having armed men follow her wherever she went made Aubrey nervous, but Asha had advised her to just ignore them. Pretend they weren’t there. Callista barely looked up from her phone as they walked, but then, she had been born with guards.

Aubrey wondered how long it would take her until she could ignore it.

“Callista,” Gwen nudged her. “You’re going to have to pay attention if you actually want to buy something.”

“Should I get something? Jarah hasn’t said anything.” Aubrey chewed on the inside of her cheek as she looked at the display in front of them. Bottles of perfume and cologne stared back. “I don’t know anything about Zev. I’ve only had one conversation with him!”

“Oh, get him a mirror,” Gwen grumbled. “That should please him.”

Callista finally looked up and chuckled. “You know, most of my friends swoon when they see Zev, but not you. Maybe that’s why I like you. Yes, Aubrey, you should get Zev a gift, but don’t worry. I’ll pick out something for you.”

“If you can pay attention long enough,” Gwen teased.

“I’m sorry. I’m a little engrossed in this research paper I’m supposed to be reviewing, but I’ll put it away until we’re done.” Pocketing the phone, the royal beauty looked up and grinned. “Oooh, if you get him cologne, Jarah will likely lock you in your suite for a year. That’s a personal gift, even if you get Zev the scent he always wears. Come on, I had three ideas for a present. I’ll get one and let you pick from the other two.”

People got out of the way for the guards, and when they realized who was walking among them, they stared.

Not at Callista, but at Aubrey.

She smiled and tried not to stare back. Why did some of the looks seem so hostile?

Threading her arm through Aubrey’s, Gwen cleared her throat. “Eyes on the goods, Aubrey. Not on the people.”

“I can’t help it. They hate me.”

“That’s because they don’t know you. Callista loves you.”

“Hmm?” Callista looked over and grinned. “That’s right. I do love you.”

“When you stop thinking about your work and actually realize that I’m here,” Aubrey laughed. Despite her nerves, she was having a good time with the other two women. “Actually, I don’t know if I ever thanked you for getting me that job with Hysani.”

“You should thank me. After all, that’s how you met and fell in love with Jarah.” Callista raised her voice just a little, getting the attention of the people, and then winked at Aubrey.

It was on the tip of her tongue to correct her before she remembered that she was supposed to be lying to her new family and, perhaps more importantly, the rest of the kingdom. Mood darkening, she just swallowed hard and nodded.

“All right, what are the three gifts you had in mind for Zev?”

They turned out to be a needlepoint pillow, which was an inside joke between Callista and Zev and wouldn’t work for her, a new hi-fi music system, and new leather travel bag. Aubrey fell in love with one, but when she looked at the price, she grimaced.

“I can’t afford it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I know Jarah gave you a card. It’s his personal account, and yours now, too. You’ve got plenty of money.”

It hadn’t even occurred to Aubrey to use it. Reluctantly, she paid for the bag and turned just in time to see a young mother arguing with a male merchant over a stuffed tiger.

A child clutched his mother’s hand, tears running down his cheeks.

“What are they saying?” Aubrey asked Callista.

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