Page 18 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

Sara laughed. “We do! But only when there’s something to protect us from.”

They pulled up in front of Soraya’s workplace.

“So I want to see her again, but I want it to be…low pressure. A natural meetup. I don’t know what to say to her, but if she’s at the wedding, it won’t be me turning up when I’m not wanted. We’ll just both be in the same place.”

“It’s funny to see you this way,” Sara said. “It must be love for you, of all people, to be so tongue-tied. All right, I’ll do this one favor for you. But you’re going to have to figure out how to do this for yourself eventually. I’m marrying your brother. I can’t be your live-in mediator with Soraya.”

“Funny. Just go. I’ll wait here.”

* * *

Soraya was wrapping cutlery in napkins and getting ready for the lunch rush when the door opened. She looked up, prepared to greet whoever had come it. It was early, but it wasn’t unheard of for someone to come in at this time of day. Soraya was surprised when she saw Sara at the entrance. It was usually Amir who did random pop-ups. Sara waved, and Soraya put her last batch of silverware in the storage bin and crossed the room. Sara had a big smile on her face when Soraya reached her.

“Sara, hi. Do you want a table?”

“Not today, though I do wish I had time to stay and eat. I actually wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?” Sara asked.

“I have until the first customer comes in. Come with me.” Soraya took Sara to a nearby table and then stuck her head into the kitchen to make sure her boss knew she was available if she was needed. She returned to the table and sat across from Sara.

“I wanted to drop by and invite you to my wedding,” Sara said. “I feel bad I didn’t do it when I was here last time. I didn’t realize until Amir told me later that you’re Malik’s sister.”

“Oh, Sara, thank you. But you didn’t need to make a special trip. My whole family received invitations.” Soraya had a sneaking suspicion Amir was behind this little meeting, but she didn’t say anything.

“Well, now I feel stupid. Of course your whole family would have gotten an invitation to the wedding. I wonder…” Sara glanced toward the door and a suspicious look crossed her face. Yes, Amir was definitely behind this. Soraya was sure now. She smiled, both for Sara and in amusement at Amir’s attempts to meddle.

“It’s fine. Thank you for inviting me personally. A verbal invitation from you is much better anyway.”

Sara grinned at her. “So I noticed something between you and Amir when we were here a while back. Do you like him?” Sara asked. Soraya’s mouth fell open, and her mind went blank at the question. “I know we’ve only met once and that’s a pretty personal question, but I’m not subtle,” Sara added.

“Erm.” Soraya was speechless. She did not know where to begin.

“It’s just that I saw the way he looked at you last time. He’s been talking about you a lot since we were in here and he introduced us. It sounds like the last time you two saw each other didn’t go well, and I’m really sorry about that. I can see he likes you, but do you like him? If you don’t, I’ll tell him to knock it off.”

Soraya was shocked at Sara’s boldness. They barely knew each other, and here she was asking something so personal. She had clicked with Sara the first time they had met, and because of that, she felt comfortable with her. Sara also looked so innocent, but Soraya suspected the English woman was anything but. She was watching Soraya and waiting for an answer, and Soraya realized she would probably wait all day if she had to.

“I don’t know what is going on,” Soraya said at last. “We never used to speak. He was simply my brother’s friend. I never thought there would be anything else between us. But recently…” She couldn’t put her feelings into words. She’d tried so hard to squash every little feeling she felt for Amir, but it hadn’t worked. When she realized Sara had come into the restaurant alone, she’d felt a bit disappointed. She had hoped Amir was with her. Even though she was the one who’d made him promise not to just pop up.

“Amir has a reputation with women. That might scare you, but I do feel like this is something different for him,” Sara said softly.

The problem was Soraya knew exactly who Amir was. It wasn’t his charm and irrepressible nature that scared her. It was her knowledge that she was already halfway in love with the man.

“I’m sorry, but I have to get back to work,” Soraya said and got up. “I grew up with Amir. I know all the different people he can be, Sara, but he doesn’t seem to be able to see who I really am. And that’s the important thing. I won’t just be another challenge for him to grow bored with.”

Sara sighed. “Don’t completely dismiss him. He does care. I know I’ve only known him a year or so, but that whole time, you’re the only woman I’ve seen that has stayed on his mind. And maybe he doesn’t see who you really are because you haven’t shown him.” Sara took Soraya’s hands and squeezed them. “I’m glad you’re coming to the wedding. Save Amir a dance, okay?”

9

Amir was waiting for Sara anxiously. He turned toward the passenger seat as she slid in the car.

“Well?” Amir asked.

“She will come,” Sara said with confidence.

“How can you be so sure she’ll come?”

“Well, she didn’t say no, and you didn’t tell me that her whole family was already invited.” Sara hit Amir in the arm. He smirked, and Sara narrowed her eyes at him. “I knew they’d all already been invited! You wanted to get me in there to speak with her to see if I can find something out that could help you.”

Amir laughed guiltily. “So did you find anything out?”

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