Page 8 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

She remembered. She’d loved that dress, but the next time she’d worn it, she’d managed to spill something down the skirt, and she’d never been able to get the stain out.

“You were dancing with some other girls, and you looked so free with your head back. You were laughing like you didn’t have a care in the world, and I suddenly realized that was what I wanted in my life. Joy and laughter and freedom.” He turned to look across the park. “I didn’t see you again until after you’d started at the university and were working at the restaurant. The light you’d had at Malik’s party was dimmed. You looked exhausted and stressed but so very focused. It made me sad. And my only thought was that I wanted to give you your joy back. And I wanted to be with you when you found it.”

Soraya didn’t know how to respond. Of all the things she’d thought he might say, she’d never imagined that. The attendant opened their car door before she could find words. Without her even realizing it, they’d made it all the way around.

4

Amir paced his office. He hadn’t been able to focus on much of anything today, and it was driving him mad. He had work to do, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off his phone. It had been a week since Soraya had shocked him by calling and suggesting they do something together.

That evening at Aladdin’s Kingdom had been as magical as one ofTheArabian Nights. He’d seen the Soraya he remembered from childhood and from that birthday party years ago—free and embracing every adventure on offer. Except for when he’d taken her to the Ferris wheel. But that final ride had been his favorite part of the whole park. They’d actually talked. She’d let him make his case for why she should go out with him. And the physical closeness had been better even than when she’d pressed up against him as they’d galloped across the desert. He’d had to trick her into spending time with him that day. In the Ferris wheel car, she’d chosen to sit close to him.

But since that night, she’d gone silent. There had been no more calls. No texts. He’d tried to honor the deal they’d made. He hadn’t shown up at her university or work. He hadn’t called, hadn’t made her miss her bus, hadn’t kidnapped her or coerced her into any potentially romantic situations.

He deserved an award for his restraint. But his patience was running out.

He glanced at his phone again. It wasn’t even noon yet.

Maybe he should distract himself by going out to lunch. He grinned. Yes, going to lunch was the perfect idea. And he’d take Sara with him. She’d be his cover. He would go out and share lunch with his future sister-in-law at the best restaurant in the city. He might regret this move later, but he didn’t care. It would be worth whatever fallout might come.

He hurried out of his office and headed toward Tariq’s house.

Sara greeted him at the front door. The house was buzzing with people. He knew that Sara, Tariq, Sara’s mom, and Fiddah were spending the day doing some wedding planning. Sara looked like a caged animal, wide-eyed and a little snarly. Perfect.

“Sara, you must come to lunch with me,” Amir said, not wasting words on a greeting.

“God, yes! You must have read my mind. I would have lunch with a troll if it got me out of wedding planning.”

Amir laughed. “You and Tariq should elope.”

“That’s what I said, but Tariq won’t hear of it. Most of this morning was all right. We were tasting cake samples.”

“Ah, you should have invited me.” Amir followed Sara into the dining room, where magazines and brochures and fabric swatches had taken over the table. Fiddah and Sara’s mother greeted him warmly. “I have a very refined palate for cake.”

“We’ve started talking about clothes,” Fiddah said. “She’s been fidgeting ever since. She does not realize that finding a compromise between her traditions and ours is quite a difficult task. Also, the cakes were quite sweet, so she might be on something of a sugar high.”

“Take her out, Amir,” Sara’s mother said. “She needs some real food to balance out all that sugar, and I expect a break will do her good. Sara, we’ll keep working and come up with a short list of groomsmen suits for you to choose from.”

“You’re the best, Mom.” Sara kissed Leylah on the forehead and stroked her cheek. “Be good for your grandmas and Daddy, my little love,” she whispered. Amir smiled to himself. He hadn’t really imagined being a father, but seeing how Sara and Tariq obviously felt so blessed by Leylah’s presence in their lives made him think he would enjoy a child of his own.

“Let’s go. I know just the place to take you. You’ll love it,” Amir said.

“You know I love any place that serves food.” Sara followed him out the door.

The restaurant where Soraya worked was elegant and truly one of the best in the city. They specialized in Arab cuisine, reimagining some of the oldest regional dishes and elevating classics to new heights. A host led them to a corner table in the sophisticated main dining room. White tablecloths and delicate mosaics on the walls and ceiling kept the space clean and colorful at the same time.

They were a little early for typical workday lunches, so the restaurant was only about half full. Perfect. Sara looked at Amir and smiled.

“This place is nice,” she said.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Amir agreed. “Their service is outstanding.”

“You’ve never brought me to such a fancy place before.” Sara looked at him with suspicion. “What are you up to?” she asked. “Do you want something from me?”

Amir laughed. “Only your company.” He turned and saw Soraya coming toward them. When she realized who was sitting at her table, she stopped halfway across the room. She seemed to be bracing herself with a deep breath and a set jaw. By the time she’d reached them, she’d found her best customer service smile. It was nowhere near as beautiful as her real one.

“Amir, what brings you here?” she asked.

“Hello, Soraya,” Amir grinned at her. “I came for lunch,” he added.

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