by Holly Rayner
But all Michelle said out loud was, “Khizar, it’s so nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Danvers. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.” Khizar handed her the flowers and wine. “For you, a small token of my appreciation.”
“They’re lovely, thank you!”
Alan Danvers shook his daughter’s boyfriend’s hand, adding, “Our girl doesn’t bring too many guys home, so you must be something special.”
Jacqui blushed. “Dad!”
Khizar looked at Jacqui. “It’s an honor to meet you both. And if I may say, Jacqui is the one who is something special.”
Her mother looked like she approved, but Jacqui’s cheeks felt like they were on fire. To cover her blush, she held out a cake.
“Here, Mom, I brought your favorite.”
“Oh, thank you, sweetie. Why don’t you put it on the counter? I’m going to get these in some water, and maybe you can help me finish up dinner?”
“Khizar, why don’t we let these lovely ladies catch up? Come on, I’ll show you what I’m working on right now, and we’ll get out of their way,” Alan said.
Jacqui set the cake on the counter and gave Khizar an encouraging smile. He kissed her on the cheek before following her father outside.
Her mother was apparently reserving judgement, because as they finished preparing the meal, all she said was that Khizar seemed nice.
Jacqui wanted her mom to like the man she was seeing, so she told Michelle stories about the surprise dates Khizar had taken her on, about the ballet and picnic in the park and the fancy restaurants. Her mother listened and asked a few questions, but other than that, didn’t say much.
Conversation throughout dinner was lively, though. As Jacqui had promised, her parents told a few embarrassing stories about her teenage years, but nothing that Jacqui wasn’t planning on telling him anyway.
Michelle did pull out pictures after dinner. Khizar was especially interested in seeing young Jacqui, and Jacqui teased him that she couldn’t wait to see pictures from his youth as well.
Michelle and Alan seemed surprised to hear about Jacqui’s trip to Hawaii with Khizar, but Jacqui convinced them that she had a wonderful time. And when Khizar excused himself for a moment, she explained that he had been a perfect gentleman the entire time, and it was that trip where Jacqui realized that she wanted to pursue a relationship with him.
Jacqui cleaned up the kitchen so that her mom and dad could talk with Khizar some more. She wanted to them to like him as much as she did.
From the kitchen, she could hear her dad ask Khizar about his family, and Khizar told them a few of the stories he’d already told Jacqui. He talked a little about what it was like to run a large company, and work with precious gems.
Her parents seemed to like him, Jacqui thought as she finished loading the dishwasher. When her mom came into the kitchen, carrying their after-dinner coffee cups, she said as much.
“He’s lovely, sweetie. I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
Jacqui leaned against the counter, twisting the dish towel in her hands.
“I think it might be more than just a good time, Mom. I really like him.”
Michelle hesitated, then patted her daughter’s arm. Before she could say anything, Khizar walked into the kitchen and Jacqui looked at the clock.
“Sorry, Mom. I didn’t realize how late it’s gotten.”
Her mother smiled. “You’re always welcome to stay as long as you like, Jacqui. But I know you have to be at the bakery early, so if you need to go, it’s fine.”
Jacqui reached over and gave her mom a hug.
“Thanks. I’ll call you later this week?”
“I look forward to it, sweetheart.” Michelle gave Khizar a brief hug, which he returned. “Khizar, it was so nice to meet you. Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon.”
Later that night, Jacqui got a text from her mother.
Forgot that we’ve got plans to have dinner with the Thompsons on Tuesday night in the city. Mind if we stop by the bakery before we meet up with them?
Jacqui texted back: Of course, you should stop by! I’ll save you some cake if you want dessert before dinner.
It was always nice to have her parents stop by her bakery. They usually visited when they came into the city, and Jacqui always baked something extra special when she knew they were going to be there.
Jacqui looked forward to their visit, especially since Khizar would be flying out of town again for a few days that night. Before he left, he hinted at a surprise he had for her when he got back.
Instead of trying to figure out what the surprise was, Jacqui focused on filling several special cake orders for that week. Because, really, when you’ve already been surprised with a trip to Hawaii, what else could Khizar possibly surprise her with?
When Jacqui’s parents arrived at the bakery on Tuesday, she’d delivered three of the special order cakes, done the bank deposit, and started prep for the next day’s baking. She had her father’s favorite cake baked and sliced and a fresh pot of coffee brewing when they walked in the door.
“The shop looks wonderful, dear,” her mother said by way of greeting.
“It smells even better!” her dad said, laughing at his own joke.
“Thank you,” Jacqui said to both of them, giving them hugs.
She flipped the closed sign over and locked the door so they could chat without customers coming in. It was about the time she normally closed anyway, and she knew her regular customers had already visited that day.
“I’m so glad you had time to see us today,” her mother said, sitting at one of the little tables.
“Of course, Mom. I’m glad you had time to stop by.”
She poured coffee and handed it to her dad, who carried the cups to the table. Jacqui followed with the cake and three plates; she sliced the cake into generous pieces, putting one on each plate.
“I’ll send the Thompsons your apologies for ruining our dinner,” her dad said, nudging his daughter’s elbow.
“Tell them I said hello, too,” Jacqui said, laughing.
Her mother took a small bite of cake and then put her fork down.
“Jacqui, we wanted to talk to you about something.”
Jacqui looked between them. Her father was suddenly, unusually, serious. And her mother looked nervous.
“Is everything okay?”
“Well, that’s what we wanted to ask you,” her father said.
“I’m fine. The bakery is fine—well, there’s still the question of if I have enough business to cover a rent increase—but it’s the normal worry.”
Michelle took a deep breath.
“It’s just, we were a little surprised when you brought Khizar home with you. He seems nice; we just didn’t know you were seeing someone so seriously.”
Jacqui thought about it. It was sweet that her parents were worried, and to be honest, things were moving fast with Khizar.
“I know it’s a bit sudden, but I’m really happy.”
“We can see that, Jacqui,” her father said. “But we don’t even know how you met.”
“He came into the bakery, bought everything I’d baked that day, and gave it away to some charity organizations I suggested. I went with him and we got to know each other.”
Her parents exchanged a look that Jacqui couldn’t decipher.
“He’s in Milwaukee for business?” Alan asked.
Jacqui nodded. “He’s been talking to jewelry store owners about expanding his company’s jewelry line here.”
“He doesn’t talk a lot about his family,” her mother said.
“No, he doesn’t,” Jacqui said. “But we’ve only been dating a few weeks.”
Michelle laid a hand softly on the table. “Exactly.”
Jacqui looked from her mother to her father. “What’s bothering you both? Is it that I’m dating someone from another country?”
Alan shook his head. “No, though I expect the two of you are going t
o have to have a difficult conversation about location in the near future.”
“I know, the location difference isn’t ideal. But it’s nothing we can’t work out. I mean, he owns a jet, after all.”
Her parents exchanged another look.
“Sweetie, we know that things haven’t been great here at the bakery, and you’re worried about having to close. We’re concerned that you’re only seeing the financial security Khizar offers,” her mom said.
“The trips and the gifts—they’re a little over the top, aren’t they?” her dad asked.
Jacqui shook her head.
“He’s got money and he likes to spend it. Come on, he gives money to charity. He buys cakes and hands them out to people who don’t have any money to buy them.”
Michelle asked hesitantly, “Are you sure he doesn’t see you as a charity case, too?”
Jacqui started to deny that idea, and then took a deep breath. Her parents were just watching out for her.
“He’s never patronizing, and he’s never done anything as crass as just give me money. I’m not being bought, Mom.”
“No, of course not. But don’t you think he’s being a little mysterious about who he is and why he’s here?”
“I know who he is, Mom, and why. He’s here for business.” Jacqui held up a hand. “Look, you’re concerned, and I get it. It’s a crazy story—CEO sheikh meets Milwaukee baker—but I’m really happy with Khizar. And it has only been a few weeks, but I want to see where our relationship is going.”
Alan nodded. “And we trust you. The only thing we want is for you to be safe and healthy and happy.”
Michelle patted her hand. “You know we’re always here if you need anything.”
Jacqui leaned across the table and hugged her mother and then her father. “Thanks. I love you both.”
They finished their cake and left, but Jacqui kept playing the conversation over and over in her head. Her parents had a point. Khizar said he was in town for business, but other than those few jewelry store owners—or people he said were store owners—she didn’t know anything about why he was here.
Surely, it didn’t take weeks to convince stores to carry a jewelry line. At least not weeks of in-person meetings. Why did he need to spend so much time here?
And if he wasn’t here on business, why was he really in Milwaukee?
While he continued to shower her with lavish gifts and extravagant dates, he didn’t get into serious discussions with her. He asked her a lot of questions, but didn’t talk much about himself or his family. And even though Khizar talked some about his work, Jacqui didn’t really know anything about his life.
She supposed he might have made the business excuse in order to spend more time with her. He could have just told her that; Jacqui knew that she didn’t need an excuse to spend time with him. But she didn’t know what his family would think about them dating—as a member of royalty, maybe he wasn’t supposed to date without approval, or allowed to date a non-royal.
And it wasn’t as though they were moving that fast—even though, since Hawaii, they had spent more time cuddling and kissing, Khizar hadn’t even hinted at anything more physical. Jacqui was fine with that. She wanted to be sure this was a real relationship and not something that would end in a few weeks when he went home.
In the end, that was the thing. Even if he was just killing time while doing business in Milwaukee, he’d treated her with respect and kindness. Their relationship didn’t have to be a permanent one… Even though, if Jacqui was being honest with herself, that was something she was starting to hope for.
Chapter 9
Khizar
Khizar held his hands lightly pressed over Jacqui’s eyes, not letting her see where they were just yet. He’d spent a week planning this moment, and, more importantly, the moment after, when he would ask Jacqui about Bill Bauer.
Surprisingly, though, he found himself caught up in the moment. He wanted her to enjoy that evening, and if he were being honest with himself, he was looking forward to enjoying it, too.
“Okay, now you can look.”
Khizar dropped his hands, running them down Jacqui’s arms.
She took in the water, the empty lakefront, and the picnic setting, looking from one side of the scene to the other. There was no one else for as far as they could see in any direction; even the boats on the water were staying at a respectful distance.
There was an open pavilion draped with billowing lengths of light pink fabric, tied with white and yellow ribbons. The back of the pavilion was filled with large arrangements of flowers, creating a wall of roses, orchids, violets, and lilies.
In front of the pavilion, a large, soft picnic blanket stretched out over the grass. The blanket was covered with piles of lush pillows, and rose petals were strewn everywhere. On one corner of the blanket, a picnic basket waited for them, as well as a champagne in a bucket of ice and two crystal glasses edged in gold.
“Oh, Khizar, it’s lovely.” She looked around again, and Khizar saw a moment of puzzlement cross her face. “It’s always so crowded out here, especially this time of year. Where is everyone?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Sheikh’s privilege.”
Jacqui laughed. “I don’t think that works here.”
He laughed with her, liking how it felt.
“Okay, fair enough. I got a special event permit from the city for tonight. It just happens that our event is only for two people.”
She leaned back against him, and he found that his arms automatically wanted to wrap around her.
“Well, in that case, I’m looking forward to this special event.”
If she knew what was coming, Khizar thought, she didn’t give any sign of it. So, he took her hand and led her to sit on the blanket. He poured a glass of champagne for each of them.
“Jacqui, this last month has been unexpected. I didn’t come to Milwaukee looking to find the one woman in the world I want to spend every second of time with. Being with you has been a gift, one that I don’t intend to squander.”
He held up his glass to her in a toast. Jacqui clinked her glass with his and drank from it.
The sun was setting behind them, bathing everything on the waterfront in a soft, golden light. Khizar fixed them each a small plate—oysters, caviar, dates stuffed with a rich goat cheese—and they nibbled while the light faded and the stars came out.
“So, are you going to tell me where you’ve been the last few days? Someplace fabulous?” Jacqui asked.
He smiled at her and raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve been hard at work, I promise. Tracking things down, putting things together. But hopefully, all that work will have been worth it.”
“How many store owners have you convinced to sell your jewelry?”
“This week, not a one. My project was a bit more specialized.”
Jacqui gave him a puzzled look, but Khizar only grinned at her and wouldn’t tell her anything else. Instead, they chatted about Jacqui’s week and about how pretty the waterfront area was. Khizar kept the conversation light; he didn’t want her to bring up anything more serious before he sprung the surprise.
Just after the last bit of light disappeared from the sky and it was well and truly dark, Khizar’s phone dinged. Jacqui gave him a questioning look, but Khizar only smiled mysteriously and pointed up.
Jacqui looked up and waited, then gasped when the first set of fireworks went off. She whipped her head around to look at Khizar.
“You did this?” she asked, and he could tell she was delighted.
Khizar brought her hand to his lips and then pointed her gaze back to the fireworks. “I did. It’s a special show, just for you.”
Jacqui laughed, and Khizar warmed at how happy she sounded.
“Me, and anyone on this side of Lake Michigan looking up right now.”
Khizar watched the fireworks with her, the blues and reds and greens exploding in patterns over the water. There were shapes: a heart, a smiley face, wh
ich made her laugh, and flowers. There were cascades of gold and silver that looked like glitter falling from the sky.
Jacqui laughed and applauded with each new volley of fireworks, and Khizar watched her. Towards what he knew was going to be the grand finale, he leaned toward her and said low in her ear, “This show is special, and it is just for you, since you’re the only one who can answer that question.”
Jacqui glanced at him. “What question?”
Khizar pointed up at the sky again and Jacqui turned to see the words “Jacqui, will you marry me?” written in in dazzling letters in the night sky. She sucked in a breath and turned back to find Khizar kneeling on the blanket with a black velvet box open in his hand.
One hand flew to her mouth and Khizar could see the joy on her face, even though she had tears in her eyes.
“Jacqui, the last month has been the happiest of my life. Will you make the rest of my life just as happy, and be my wife?”
She nodded vigorously, unable to speak, and held her left hand out. Khizar slipped the custom-made diamond ring on her finger, and then found himself holding her as she flung her arms around his neck.
“Yes. Yes, of course I will,” Jacqui spoke through tears as she finally answered.
Khizar held her, unexpectedly affected by her emotion. She sounded so happy. And the look on her face… It was joy like he’d never seen.
Suddenly, he felt terrible. A pit opened up in his stomach and he wished that he’d never heard of Bill Bauer’s diamond, because this stunning woman deserved better.
Jacqui pulled back just a bit, and then leaned in to kiss him, hands on either side of his face. Khizar had planned on avoiding such physical contact tonight, past a few kisses, but the touch of her lips on his sparked a fire he didn’t know existed.
He nudged her mouth open and plundered it with his tongue. She welcomed him, pressing her body against his and sliding her hands down his back.
Khizar put one hand on her neck, pulling her as close as he could. The other hand traced her skin, fingertips brushing across her neck and arms. He wanted to touch more of her, wanted to taste her.