Page 32 of The Sheikh's Secret Family

“I am happy. I’ve always wanted to explore new places and I finally get to now. I’ve been practicing my Arabic, looking around the palace, and trying some Al Salyan cooking. It’s great. The only thing I don’t like about this country is your coffee.” Emelia really did look radiant as she spoke. She was closer than ever to the bright and hopeful student she’d been and for a moment, Tariq felt like the years were melting away.

Instead of saying that, and coming across terribly cheesy, Tariq laughed. “I hear you there. I think Americans have coffee more or less mastered.”

Emelia nodded. “Here it’s way too dark and thick for me. Like motor oil! But I didn’t want to tell you in case you loved the coffee here.” She grinned, a little shyly.

“No worries there. I love my country, but coffee isn’t something we excel at.” Tariq felt full of warmth. He’d been worried that Emelia wouldn’t feel like she fit in here or would be uncomfortable, but it seemed to be the opposite. She was enjoying soaking in a new culture, while remembering the things she loved best about her own country.

Tariq couldn’t help wondering if she’d consider living here, with him, forever. They hadn’t discussed how long she’d be staying, but Tariq couldn’t help worrying that she’d decide to go back to Boston one day. He knew he should just ask how she was feeling, but he didn’t want to bring up a serious conversation and ruin what they had now. Things would work out.

“What did you miss about Al Salyah when you were in the US?” Emelia asked.

“My parents, mostly,” Tariq admitted. “We’ve always been close.”

“I haven’t seen your mother,” Emelia said, glancing around as if she might find Maryam standing there in her kitchen. “Does she live near here?”

“Yes,” Tariq agreed. “She has a cottage on the palace grounds. She wanted to move there after my father died.”

“That must have been so hard.”

“It was. But I think she’s made her peace with it now. She misses him dearly, like I do, but she’s enjoying her life again. Do you miss your parents?”

Emelia twisted her sleeve and shrugged a little. “I don’t remember them well enough to miss them, I don’t think. I used to imagine them when I was in foster homes. I would imagine that they were still alive somewhere, but that they were being chased by spies or something. I would imagine that they were coming to get me any day. Later, after Owen was born, I started imagining them again. I always wanted him to be able to know his grandparents.”

Tariq reached out, weaving his fingers through hers. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine.”

Emelia gave a little shake like a dog coming out of the water. “It’s okay. I don’t talk about it much. But that’s why it’s so important to me that Owen can have both of us in his life.”

“It’s important to me, too,” Tariq agreed. “My parents were both amazing and I want the same for Owen. I know how hard it is to be without a parent, even as an adult.”

They chatted for a while longer about their families, both the ones they had grown up with and the ones they imagined having someday. As the conversation went on, Tariq felt more and more sure that Emelia and Owen were his family, just as much as his mother was. If only he could be honest about them without putting everyone in a sticky situation.

By the time they finished talking, it was getting late. Tariq had to be up early the next morning for a cabinet meeting, so he bid a quick goodnight and headed back to his rooms. He had to fight himself every step of the way not to turn back and find Emelia. Never before had his rooms seemed so big — or so empty.

CHAPTER18

EMELIA

Emelia gave the pot a gentle shake, listening to the last few pops, before pouring the white, fluffy kernels into a large bowl. As she added salt and a drizzle of melted butter, she listened fondly to the sounds coming from the living room. Owen was telling Tariq about the movie they were about to watch: an animated film about fish that he’d seen about a hundred times. Tariq was patiently listening, even asking follow-up questions. It was the sound of family, a sound that Emelia loved.

Grabbing the bowl, she headed back into the living room and settled on the couch. Owen had already claimed his spot in the middle, so Emelia found a place on the left side, making eye contact and sharing a smile with Tariq over Owen’s head. As always, meeting Tariq’s gaze made Emelia feel almost shivery.

“Are we ready?” Owen asked, wiggling with excitement. “This movie is so good.”

“Let’s do it.” Emelia grabbed the remote and pressed play. Right away, the opening notes of the movie’s first musical number began to play and Owen started to sing along under his breath.

“This singing is going to continue for the whole movie,” Emelia told Tariq softly, nodding down at their son. “Just so you know.”

“Thanks.” Tariq gave her a thumbs-up. “I love a good musical accompaniment.” He winked and Emelia quickly looked back at the screen, feeling her cheeks heat up.

She had trouble focusing on the movie, maybe because she’d seen it too many times already, maybe because she couldn’t stop thinking about Tariq. She had to admit that she wasn’t that happy just being co-parents and friends. Emelia wanted more. When she’d thought that Tariq wanted to kiss her in the library, her whole body had gone weak with the wanting. Emelia wanted that feeling. She wanted to go to sleep next to Tariq every night and wake up beside him in the mornings. She wanted to spend every possible moment with him. She wanted to love and be loved.

Tonight, after Owen was in bed, she was going to say so. There was no point in keeping her feelings hidden. She was a grown woman. And based on the way Tariq looked at her, he seemed to feel the same way. Maybe they could have more than just a platonic relationship. Maybe they could get back some small part of those excited kids they’d been. Maybe they could make a better future together.

“This fish is my favorite,” Owen explained. “See how funny he is?” He giggled as the animated fish bonked into a piece of coral and blinked in surprise. Emelia pulled her attention back to her son and the movie. Even if she and Tariq did pursue a more romantic relationship, Owen would still be her first priority. Always. She couldn’t let herself get caught up with cheesy romantic thoughts.

About halfway into the movie, Tariq’s phone started to ring loudly. He glanced at it and wrinkled his nose. “Sorry. It’s my mother. She wants to meet up and talk to me about something.”

“She can come here,” Emelia suggested, not taking her eyes off her screen. She hadn’t met Tariq’s mother, Maryam, yet, even though Tariq had said that she lived nearby. It was starting to be a bit strange.

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