The server arrived with our wine, interrupting us. Jalaal studied me over his glass as it was filled. I gulped uncertainly.
Maybe if I ran out the door before he had the chance to prove my fears to be true, it would be easier for me to get over it? I considered it for a second before deciding that, no, I was invested in this now. I was going to see this out.
Even if that meant heartbreak.
Chapter 15
Our glasses filled, I readied myself to hear—once and for all—whether Jalaal liked the girl he met in Las Vegas or the girl who’d been hiding inside of her all the while.
Jalaal swirled the wine around his glass, deep red liquid sloshing up the sides. “I had a girlfriend once who was studying to be an actress on Broadway,” he said, his tone measured.
I furrowed my brow in surprise. That wasn’t what I’d been expecting to hear. Was he just changing the topic?
Noticing my confusion, Jalaal’s lip curled upward. “It’s relevant, I promise.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“She came from a wealthy, well-connected family in the South. We’d been basically pushed together by our parents, who thought we’d be a good match. My father thought her family’s connections would help my business; her parents thought being with an exotic prince would give her an edge over the competition in the public eye.”
“Sounds like a match made in heaven,” I remarked.
Jalaal’s amused smirk appeared again. “At first, it was. She was a smart girl with big dreams, and people began to take more notice of her with me around. And I profited from her family’s network. The only thing that was missing between us was a connection.
“I thought it would be easy enough to form one. On the surface, she was beautiful, charming, and exciting. It shouldn’t have been difficult to create a bond.”
“That all sounds very analytical,” I said, sipping on my wine.
He grinned. “I didn’t know much apart from business at that stage in my life. Most of my decisions were based on an analytical frame of mind. ‘X plus Y must equal Z,’ I told myself. And if it didn’t, the formula just needed to be run again until it worked.”
“And I’m guessing it didn’t?”
He shook his head. His hair rumpled with the movement. My fingers ached to reach over and touch him.
“I couldn’t make myself fall for this girl, no matter what I did. And I don’t think she had feelings for me either, beyond a sense of obligation to her career and her family. I couldn’t figure out why, and it drove me crazy until I ended things.”
I nodded along to his story, even though I wasn’t sure how it related to our conversation quite yet. The wine was good though, and I was enjoying just being close to Jalaal. It was entrancing just to watch him speak, to listen to the way his vowels rounded and snapped up against his teeth.
“When I met you, Skyler…” Jalaal unleashed the full heat of his gaze on me, rooting me to the spot. “I felt what I hadn’t felt with her—a genuine attraction. Not just a physical attraction, though you’re incredibly beautiful, but an emotional one, too. Something about you called to me from the moment you fell into me at the casino.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “Really?”
“Really.” He nodded slowly. “The way you see the world is new to me. You’re new to me. Being around you doesn’t drain me the way spending time with others often does. Any time I see you, I feel invigorated, like I’ve got an electric current running under my skin.”
“I-I…I don’t know what to say.”
Our food came out from the kitchen, serving as a momentary diversion while I contemplated what Jalaal had told me. Nobody had ever said anything so sweet to me before. Nobody had ever treated me this well before. It was a lot to take in.
Jalaal was patient. While I dug in to my chicken, he slowly began to eat his pasta. Finally, I felt like I’d gathered my thoughts enough to speak.
“I felt it too,” I said.
He paused over his plate, smiling warmly. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Any insecurity I have about how you perceive me is mine to figure out. I don’t want you to have to prove yourself to me. I guess I’m just confused about where this leaves us.” I took a sip of wine, letting a new train of thought form. “You live in Las Vegas. I live in San Diego. It’s not worlds away, exactly, but I do feel like we have a bit of a divide between us.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I’m telling you how I feel now because I worry that you have the wrong impression of me,” he said. “I know I give off a certain image, and I wish I could say that’s all false, but to a certain extent I am the billionaire, playboy sheikh who has so far avoided responsibility outside business.”
“I understand,” I replied. “I wouldn’t want you to change.”
And I didn’t. I’d enjoyed Jalaal’s company exactly as he was in Vegas. Maybe the all-weekend partying wasn’t analogous with my own situation, but I was sure that was something we could figure out with time.
“You didn’t let me finish,” he said with mock sternness.
I laughed and waved with my fork for him to continue, a cheeky grin on my face.
“I want to move on to the next stage of my life, Skyler. I want to start taking things more seriously. If you would give me the chance, the first thing I would start taking more seriously is my relationships.” His gaze softened. “I want to be in your life, and I would love to get to know Sam better.”
My heart warmed at the tenderness in his voice. He had won me over before he even started speaking tonight, but hearing all this brought me to a new level of joy.
I reached across the table and found his hand, large and warm. I clasped it in my own, his long fingers closing over mine.
* * *
After dinner, we strolled down to the beach to watch the moon-dappled waves caress the shoreline. I’d never felt as special as I did then, walking hand in hand with the tall, regal prince. And there wasn’t even anybody around to see us.
We talked and meandered far longer than we should have. Sam wouldn’t care—an earthquake couldn’t wake him once he dozed off—but I knew my dad was likely waiting by the phone.
Still, it was incredibly difficult to part from Jalaal, even though I knew I’d get to see him again soon. How had I managed to leave that morning in Vegas? Doing so seemed impossible to me now.
Over the course of the evening we’d achieved a much deeper understanding of each other. I still had my concerns—who wouldn’t? I was bringing a new man into my life, one who had every reason to change his mind about wanting the kind of life I represented.
But for now? I was happy.
“I’m going to give you my cellphone number,” Jalaal said. “If I ever piss you off, you can sell it to marketers for good money.”
I chuckled. “I’ll give you mine too, but I don’t think anyone would buy it.”
“And I don’t think you’ll ever piss me off.” Jalaal snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.
“You don’t know that,” I said. “I could be horrible. This could all just be smoke and mirrors.”
Jalaal’s face drew nearer, moonlight reflecting off the darkness of his eyes. “I’ve had smoke and mirrors, Skyler,” he murmured, “and that’s not what you are.”
“What am I, then?” I meant to sound teasing, but I was breathless, hoarse with desire.
“Real.”
Jalaal pressed his lips over mine and the world around us ceased to exist. I sighed and leaned into him, as if attempting to disappear in his shadow. I knew then that if he hadn’t found me, I would have spent the rest of my life missing these kisses. First shallow and gentle, then deep and passionate. His soft lips contrasted with the stubble on his chin. His hands on my back anchored me to him, pulling me in tighter. My whole body quivered.
As the moon rose high over the California waters, I started to feel like my second chance at love had finally arrived.
And i
t was about damn time.
Chapter 16
“Mommy! Mommy! Wake up!”
“Oof!”
I rolled onto my side, clutching my stomach where Sam had inadvertently bounced on me.
“You’re going to miss it!” he declared.
“What am I going to miss?”
“My birthday!”
I grabbed the pillow next to me and placed it over my face, blocking out his delighted giggles and the morning light.
“You can’t miss a birthday by sleeping in a little bit, kid.”
He started pulling at the pillow, and I sighed. There would be no more sleep this morning. I couldn’t wait to get the little spider monkey into school. One more week!
“Is Jalaal coming for breakfast?” Sam asked. “He said he would!”
I sat up and reached for my phone, checking for texts. Nothing. A sense of unease crept into my stomach, but I forced it out. He was a busy man. He probably just had some business to attend to this morning. Maybe he just didn’t have his phone on him but was on his way.
Besides, Sam was the only one who felt it necessary to celebrate every single meal we’d be having today. Jalaal would only have to show up to one of them to make me happy.
“I don’t know, Sam.” I pulled him toward me and started tickling him. “But you’ll only make it to birthday breakfast if the tickle monster doesn’t get you first!”
He squirmed in my arms, shrieking with glee as I tickled him. I eventually let him worm free, and he went running out the door and down the hall.
“Works every time,” I muttered, smiling to myself. With Sam gone for at least another couple minutes—until he realized I wasn’t chasing him—I leaned back into my pillows and texted Jalaal.
Are you coming for breakfast?
I didn’t want it to sound too demanding. Jalaal did a great job of making time for us, and we’d spent a lot of time together in the month or so we’d been dating. Most of the time, he came out here and stayed a few nights. A couple times, since it was summer and Sam didn’t have school, he had flown us out to Vegas on my days off.
Sam had made a point of proving to me just how much fun Las Vegas could be for kids, despite what I’d told him before I went on my girls’ trip. I made a point of not telling him that the only reason he was having fun was because Jalaal could afford to make sure he did.
In any case, things were good—which was why I found it odd that I hadn’t heard from Jalaal since the previous afternoon. Normally, if he couldn’t reply to my text right away, he’d take the time to answer before bed, or right when he woke up. Radio silence was a new thing for us, and I didn’t like it. I tapped out another message.
Where are you?
I didn’t have much time to worry, because Sam careened back into my room seconds later. “Come on, Mommy! You said I could have pancakes.”
I dreaded the day when Sam realized pancakes were the easiest things on earth to make and changed his favorite food to something a little more complex. For now, pancakes were still on the menu. And he was fierce about them.
“All right, all right.” I shooed him away. “I’m getting up. Go play for a few minutes while I get dressed.”
“Grandpa’s here. I’m going to go see what he’s doing!”
At least my dad had showed up for Sam’s birthday breakfast. Sam would have been crushed if nobody had come. As for me, I didn’t count since I lived with him. He’d told me that the night before.
The smell of roasted coffee beans hit me as soon as I stepped into the hall. I followed the scent to the kitchen, where my dad had just finished brewing a pot of coffee.
“Have I mentioned recently how amazing you are?” I said to the old man.
He patted me on the back. “I’ve seen you work doubles at the hospital with less griping than when you have to wake up early on your day off.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, but he presented me with a cup of coffee and I let him off. Sam charged in from the living room, his eyes bright.
“I know, I know. Time to get some pancakes on.”
I began shuffling around, gathering the ingredients. Sam took up the corner of the kitchen with one of his trucks and watched me. I liked having him in the kitchen while I cooked, even if he was just playing. I knew there would come a time when he’d be too cool to hang out with his mom.
I checked my phone periodically while I cooked, but I still didn’t get anything from Jalaal. Weird. All the anxieties I’d worked hard to manage about the differences between us began to slowly resurface, though I was better at dismissing them than I had been when we first got together.
Before long, I had a kid full of pancakes and covered in syrup, as well as a god-awful mess to clean up. I sent Sam and Dad off to wash up while I set to work on the kitchen. Sam wanted to open his presents right away, but I was trying to instill in him the idea that cleaning always took precedence.
I also knew that Sam was looking forward to seeing what Jalaal had gotten him for his birthday. He couldn’t help but expect something big—over the past few weeks, Jalaal had lavished Sam with attention. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he showed up with a robot or something—if he showed up, that is.
I decided to try giving him a call. Maybe he’d forgotten. Maybe he was on his way but had got stuck in traffic. Whatever his excuse was for not being here, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain himself.
But Jalaal didn’t answer my call. It went straight to voicemail, which wasn’t that unusual. He was a busy man, and if he was in an important meeting, or spending quality time with me and Sam, he usually turned his phone off. It was something I really liked about him.
I’d never had it work against me before.
Sam came bounding back into the room, his hands dripping wet from washing them. I was already regretting the amount of sugar I’d permitted him to consume at breakfast.
“Is Jalaal here yet?” He grinned excitedly.
I shook my head. “Not yet, kiddo. Let’s open a couple presents and then maybe he’ll show up. He’s probably very busy at work.”
Sam pouted and it tugged at my heart. I adored seeing how well he and Jalaal got along, but it certainly left room for disappointment. It reminded me of my friend Stacy. When we were kids, her dad almost always worked late at the office. He would duck out of family camping trips early or just not come at all if he had a big project at work. Stacy never complained, but she’d made that exact same face Same was making now more than once.
We headed over to the living room, where Sam hopped up on the couch and eyed the room like a king surveying his kingdom. My dad took up the spot on the recliner. He let out a great sigh.
“You keep getting older, kid,” Dad said. “Both of you do. It’s enough to make an old man nostalgic for his youth.”
“Oh, stop that.” I waved him off. “You’ve still got tons of time left in you. You’re not even sixty yet. William Shatner’s in his eighties and he’s still living life.”
My dad chuckled. “Bill Shatner’s got unlimited money and an adoring fan base,” he retorted.
“You’ve got us,” I countered, gesturing to Sam and myself. “That means you’re halfway there.”
“I’ll be closer than halfway if Jalaal gets off his ass and proposes to you sometime soon.” He winked cheekily.
“Dad!” I reached over and tapped him lightly on the arm. “We’ve only been together for a month. And anyway, maybe he doesn’t want to marry me.”
“I think he wants to marry you,” a tiny voice piped in.
Dad and I both turned to Sam, who I had forgotten was there for a movement.
He continued. “I think Jalaal likes you very much, and when you like someone very much you marry them. And you get a big cake and everybody dances.”
“But we’ve only been together for a month, sweetie,” I reminded him gently. “It’s better to wait a little bit before getting married so you know you’re a good fit.”
S
am chewed on his lip. “So like another month? Or maybe by Christmas?”
I clapped my hands together. “Let’s get your presents, shall we?” Anxious to avoid what would undeniably be a very long and very tedious line of questioning, I strode over to the closet and pulled out the small bag of gifts I’d stayed up wrapping the night before.
God, did I ever want to marry Jalaal though. Obviously, it was too soon to be having those kinds of thoughts, but I couldn’t deny how appealing it seemed. We got along so well, and I missed him so much when he wasn’t around.
And I worried so much when I didn’t hear from him.
I tried not to think about his absence from the morning’s activities and strode back into the living room, a bright smile on my face.
As was our custom, I put the gifts on the coffee table and let Sam pick them out one at a time. After he unwrapped one, he would put aside all the paper and bows to be sorted for recycling and thank whomever the gift was from before grabbing another. Just because his father had terrible manners didn’t mean he would.
There were a couple more presents this year than usual. Elyse had dropped by with something the previous night, and Dad and I could afford to buy separate presents this year. Of course, Jalaal had offered to pay for all of the presents, but I was trying to stay independent—much to my dad’s chagrin.
If it were up to him, I’d be living in a mansion somewhere upstate with a little bungalow made especially for him. I, on the other hand, didn’t want to take advantage of Jalaal’s generosity. If he did want to take our relationship to the next level someday, then I would happily move in to a place more suited to Jalaal’s tastes. For now, though, this was home.
Single Mom and the Sheikh Page 9