Hakim dipped his chin. “Yes, I am the prince of Khali-dar. But I didn’t want you to find out this way.”
“How did you want me to find out?” She heard her voice had taken on an edge, but didn’t care.
“Truthfully, Shelby Jo, I hoped to keep my title from you as long as possible. You were the first person I had ever met who did not know. I did not intend to mislead you. But the longer I knew you, the harder it became to tell you the truth.” He glanced toward Shelby’s family and frowned.
They watched across the back of the couch.
Shelby glanced toward them and pursed her lips together. Her family was acting like this was some kind of soap opera. Good. Let him feel uncomfortable.
“Shelby, you have no idea. Being a regular man meeting a regular woman, and not having her opinion of me biased because of my position was freeing.” Hakim lifted her hand.
She jerked it away. “Everything you said about being honest…that apparently just applied to me, right?” Her emotions swung from confusion to anger.
Nasir folded his arms and spoke again.
Hakim silenced him with a glance. “I never lied to you, Shelby.”
“So, this was just some kind of game? A little experiment?” Angry tears stung the back of her eyes. She looked away and saw her family still staring. Maybe they’d like some popcorn.
“No, truly, everything I said was sincere. I was not lying when I told you how I feel about you.”
Shelby tried to sort out her feelings. Is this for real? Had she let herself develop feelings for someone who turned out not to be who he claimed? He’d seemed so genuine when he’d told her he cared. He had flown halfway across the world just to see her. Why would he do that if she was just a joke? There had to be plenty of women in Khali-dar, if he was looking for some fun. For all she knew, he had a whole harem. Then why was he here? Why her?
“Shelby Jo, please say something.”
She studied him for a long time and finally asked, “Is your dad okay? Is he in the hospital?”
Hakim blinked and paused for a moment before he answered. “That was the reason for the phone call. He is safe and recovering.”
She nodded, but her anger didn’t dissipate.
“Please tell me how you are feeling. What are you thinking?” He reached for her hand again, but rubbed his palm on the back of his neck instead.
“Does it matter?”
“Of course, it matters.”
“Hakim, I’m not stupid. Nasir—what is he, your bodyguard or something?” Duh, how did I not see that? She flicked her gaze to the larger man. “He’s waiting to take you home, and you aren’t coming back.” Shelby could feel waves of ‘I told you so’ floating through the air from the direction of her family. “Deep down, I knew this relationship wouldn’t end well, but I kept talking myself into believing it could.” The tears flowed now, and Shelby swiped them away with her fingers. “I really thought you would never hurt me.”
“Shelby Jo, I…”
“Just go, Hakim.” She grabbed her crutches and moved to walk away.
Hakim caught her elbow and pivoted around to face her.
Both Burke and Chet stood, frowning.
Nasir moved to stand between them and Hakim.
Hakim lifted up her chin and held her gaze. “I promise, Shelby Jo, I would never intentionally hurt you. Whether you believe it or not, everything I said to you was true. I care about you more than I would have believed possible.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek and left with Nasir following him.
Shelby walked through the living room in a daze. Her family still stared between her and the closed door, apparently stunned into silence.
“Too bad he left,” Chet said. “I was just thinking of all the fun we could have with his diplomatic immunity.”
She could tell her brother’s attempted humor was forced.
“Hush-up, Chet.” Debbie swatted at his knee and turned to Shelby. “Are you okay, dear?”
Even though her mother’s expression was filled with compassion, Shelby only wanted to be left alone. She shook her head and kept going, climbing the stairs to her room. She closed the door and got into her bed without taking off her shoe. Pulling the quilt over her head, for the first time in twenty years, she cried herself to sleep.
****
“I can’t believe it, Shel. A real prince. No wonder he acted so classy, and did you notice his posture? And how delicious he smelled? He even had great table manners eating pizza. He used his napkin and somehow managed to look sophisticated drinking out of a straw. That had to be a first for Italian Garden.”
“Lace, did you hear what I’ve been telling you for the last twenty minutes?” Shelby set the mug of hot chocolate on Lacey’s kitchen table. “Who he is isn’t the issue. He misled me.”
“Yeah, but Shel, you can see why he did it, right? Can you imagine how he must feel to have people always tip-toeing around all the time because he’s royalty?” She wrinkled her nose and smiled to soften what could have been a reprimand. “He knew you liked him for real because you didn’t know the truth. I can see why he wouldn’t want to tell you.”
“Are you seriously taking his side?” Shelby thought if anyone would understand it would be Lace.
“I’m not taking any sides—I just want you to see he’s not the creep you’re making him out to be.” Lacey lifted her hair over her shoulder. “The guy is totally crazy about you. He gazed at you like you were the most precious thing on the earth. He hung on every word you said. He spent the day branding calves to impress you. Knowing who he is now makes everything he did even more meaningful, right?”
“Lace, I rushed over here first thing this morning to get some support.” She leaned her forearms on the table. “Or at least some sympathy.”
Lacey reached across the table and squeezed Shelby’s arm. “I always support you. You can just see the big picture easier when you’re not the one in it. Know what I mean?”
“I don’t think it matters now, anyway. He’s gone, and after the way I treated him, I’m sure I won’t be seeing him again.” A lump grew in her throat, and Shelby swallowed hard.
“So, what’s your plan? When do you have to head back to your jet-setting life in the big city?”
Shelby smiled at her friend’s belief that her life was glamorous. “I called Xan this morning on my way over here and told him I’d take the bus back to Denver tomorrow. But he wants to pick me up. Maybe I’ll see if Chet can drive me and meet him halfway.”
They drank their hot chocolate in silence for a few minutes, listening to the music coming from the TV in the other room, where Shay watched a movie.
Lacey giggled. “You know what you need, Shel?”
Shelby shot her a questioning look. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“A fairy godmother. Or maybe a bunch of mice to make you a dress.” Lacey couldn’t hold her laughter in any longer.
“Oh, brother,” Shelby complained, but she allowed a small smile to slip out.
****
Chet pulled his pickup into the small town gas station off the highway, parking it next to Xan’s SUV, and grabbed Shelby’s duffle bag out of the truck bed.
Xan stepped out of the gas station loaded down with snacks for the road. He balanced drinks and nachos on top of the vehicle and helped Shelby out of the cab before enveloping her in an enormous hug. “I missed you.” Xan brushed the hair off her forehead “Wow,” he said. “That’s a serious battle wound.”
“Looks a lot better now,” Shelby told him, smiling at his exaggeration.
“How do you feel? How’s the foot?” Xan took a step back to inspect her cast.
“Not too bad. This thing comes off in a few weeks, and then I’ll start physical therapy.” She leaned a hand on the vehicle to balance. “I’ll be a hundred percent recovered before the spring ski season is over. I’m excited to get back to work.”
Xan turned to Chet. “Thanks for bringing her up.”
“Sure.” Chet put his arm arou
nd Shelby’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Take care of her, Xan. She’s had a rough time.”
Xan raised his eyebrows.
“Headaches,” Chet clarified. He gave Shelby a wink, hopped into his truck, and waved his hand out the window as he peeled out on the parking lot gravel.
Shelby smiled and waved back as her brother drove away in his beat-up old pickup with a giant elk decal on the back window and country western music blaring from the speakers. Her family’s love enveloped her like a blanket. Sure, they drove her crazy, but she could always count on them when it mattered, which was more than she could say about some people.
Xan put Shelby’s duffle bag into the back seat with her crutches and helped her into the car, handing her a fountain drink and fussing over her leg before closing the passenger door.
Shelby thought the extra attention seemed a bit strange, but she couldn’t help noticing how good being back with Xan felt. She told him about Lacey’s kids and house, her family, branding, but left out Hakim’s short visit.
Xan filled her in on what had happened at the office while she was gone and some assignments he had lined up.
“An Olympic speed skater interview? A feature story on a new ski goggle technology?” Shelby protested. “You don’t have to baby me, Xan.”
“I want to baby you, Shel.” He lowered his voice, “I wish you’d let me.”
They chatted about mundane things for the remainder of the two-hour drive until Xan parked in front of Shelby’s apartment complex.
“Thanks for the ride.” Shelby reached for the door handle.
“Hang on, Shel. I want to talk to you for a sec.”
“Gosh, don’t sound so serious. Are you firing me?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder to show that she was teasing and turned to face him.
“No, I’m not firing you. Just hear me out. We’ve worked together for two years now, and we’ve always gotten along really good, right?”
Shelby nodded for him to continue.
“We’re great together. We have tons in common. I’m saying I want us to be together. I’m crazy about you.” He gripped the steering wheel. “I have been ever since you came to the magazine as an intern. Seeing you laying there in the snow covered in blood…I couldn’t wait any longer to tell you.”
A heavy pit grew in Shelby’s stomach. Why is he doing this? “Xan—”
“Shel, I’ll do anything for you. I can give you the life you want. Home, family, career, travel.”
But not love. Could she ever bring herself to love Xan? The image of Hakim’s face swam in front of her eyes, and she knew the answer was no. “Xan,” Shelby said, keeping her voice even. “I don’t feel that way about you. You’re one of my best friends, and I love you.”
His gaze was intense as he leaned toward her.
She pulled back and raised her hand between them. “But not romantically.”
“I know we belong together. We’re perfect for each other.”
“I’m sorry, Xan.” Shelby pushed open the vehicle door.
Xan gripped her shoulder, turning her toward him. He pressed his lips on hers.
The kiss was warm and nice, and Shelby knew it came straight from his heart. She wished she could return the feelings, but she couldn’t. Fire had spread throughout her entire being when she kissed Hakim. Xan’s kiss was nothing like that.
She pulled away. “I am so sorry, Xan.” Tears filled Shelby’s eyes. “You’re right, we would be great together. But you’re too awesome of a guy to be with someone who isn’t crazy about you. You deserve someone who’s in love with you.”
Xan’s expression hardened. “Is this because of your stupid Arab boyfriend?” He spat out the words.
Shelby realized she’d never seen Xan angry before. Her stomach felt like ice.
“I know who he is, Shel. It’s all over the news. He lied to you. He didn’t care about you. He was playing a game with your feelings.” He planted his hand on his chest for emphasis. “I would never do something like that.”
Shelby said nothing and got out of the car, a mixture of hurt and anger welling up inside.
With jerky movements, Xan followed, pulling her duffle bag and crutches out of the back seat.
Shelby reached to take the bag away.
But he started up the steps without saying anything.
She followed him and unlocked her front door, not knowing what to say to make things between them right again.
Xan set her duffle bag on the landing. “I hope you can grow up and realize there’s a difference between school-girl infatuation and what we could’ve had together, Shel.”
Shelby didn’t say anything as he walked down the stairs to his car and drove away. She realized she’d lost a friend. Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she wiped her cheeks with her sleeve. Her stomach felt heavy, not only because of the tension between them, but how would this affect her job?
Despite it all, when she closed the door, she experienced a sense of release. As she inhaled the familiar scent of her little apartment, she realized something was off. Following the offending smell into the kitchen, she saw the vase full of flowers on her kitchen table. The flowers had died, and the water in the vase smelled rotten. The ache she had pushed away all day returned and infuriated her. Grabbing the vase, she crammed the entire arrangement into the trash can and closed the lid. Her dramatic action didn’t really make her feel any better, but at least it helped with the smell.
Chapter Ten
Weeks later, Shelby stepped out into the cold night, closing the door to the bookstore behind her. She zipped her coat and started to walk the few blocks to her apartment.
“Hey, Shel. Wait up.”
She turned and inhaled a quick breath when she saw Xan. She wasn’t surprised he was there. They had both been excited to attend the X-Games skier’s book signing. Shelby was surprised Xan was talking to her. He had scarcely said a word since their little ‘incident.’
“What’s up?” she asked when he reached her.
“Want a ride?”
“No, my place is close. And the doctor told me I need to keep working my ankle to strengthen it.”
“Yeah, okay. I wanted to tell you, I got a weird call today. Some guy with an accent asking a bunch of questions about you.”
“What kind of questions?” Shelby shivered in her coat.
“Where you live—he didn’t sound like he knew you were local. How to get a hold of you. Stuff like that.” He shrugged.
“What did you tell him?” The idea that someone was asking about her made her nervous, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
“I told him we don’t give out that kind of information.” Xan zipped up his own coat. “Weird, right?”
The tightness around Xan’s eyes was at odds with his casual words. He must not think this was a meaningless incident. Shelby didn’t answer. Her skin prickled. Something about the exchange felt off.
“I wouldn’t worry too much. You’re a celebrity now, with the news coverage about your accident, the newspaper interview. Not to mention, the firsthand avalanche survivor article you wrote for Wintersports that totally skyrocketed the magazine’s sales,” he said, with dramatic flair. “Weirdoes are everywhere. I just wanted you to know.”
“Thanks.” Something still nagged at Shelby, like a thought she couldn’t quite grasp, or a rock in her shoe.
“Sure you don’t want a ride?” Xan asked.
“Yeah, I’m good.” And she was. Aside from a little soreness from time to time, especially during cold weather, she was happy her foot seemed nearly as good as new. Stretching out her ankle as she walked felt great. She was glad she’d worn boots, since snow had started to fall, and the temperature was dropping fast. The weather was typical for spring in the Rocky Mountains—warm for a few days, then with no warning, snow and freezing conditions. Shelby hiked her laptop bag higher on her shoulder, picking up her pace.
Six weeks ago, she had returned to Denver. She hadn’t heard fr
om Hakim, but that didn’t mean she thought of him any less. She’d even looked him up on the internet. All she’d found were a few news stories, the stock picture of Hakim she had seen on the news, and a grainy picture of him and his father. She enlarged the image to see him more clearly, but the photo had been taken from a distance, and the Sheik’s face was partly hidden.
Her heart ached with regret. She wished she could go back and change how she had reacted when he told her his secret. Now she didn’t even have the option of apologizing. It’s not like his phone number was online anywhere. Shelby tried putting herself in his shoes. How would she have felt? She didn’t blame him for not calling her.
Mulling over these thoughts, she climbed the outside steps of her apartment building and reached into her bag for the keys. She spotted her door was ajar and stopped. Her mouth went dry, and she unsnapped the strap on the mace canister hanging from her keychain and reached around the doorframe. She ran her hand over the wall until her fingers touched the switch. Taking a deep breath and holding her mace ready, she flipped on the light.
A hand clamped down on hers, twisted her around, wrenched the mace from her grasp, and pinned her arms behind her back—all in one quick movement.
But her legs still worked, and she wore thick winter boots. She kicked at her attacker’s knees as hard as she could and was rewarded with a grunt and felt the grip on her arms loosening. Swinging her elbow, she made contact and spun as fast as she could back toward the door.
The door slammed shut, shattering her hope of escape.
She hadn’t seen the other man in the shadow of the hallway. Shelby’s heart raced and she darted her gaze back and forth between the two men. Her muscles tensed as she weighed her chances of escape.
“Please come in, Miss Walker,” a woman’s voice said from the living room. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
The smaller man moved aside, holding his a hand to his ribs.
Shelby saw a woman sitting on her couch and gritted her teeth “Who are you?” She narrowed her eyes and stormed toward the woman.
“Miss Walker, Prince Hakim sent us. He believes you to be in danger.” The woman regarded Shelby with a cool gaze.
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