Page 185 of Rescuing You

“I’m sorry about my crazy family.”

“They are…” Leila’s gaze flicked past him toward the noise and chaos in the next room. “Amazing.”

“You think so?” Because after the inquisition he’d just endured, his family seemed far from amazing to him.

Leila took his hands, looking up at him with her big, beautiful eyes, dark as onyx. “I hope you know how blessed you are to have a family that can talk freely. They can disagree without fighting. They can tease and make jokes. Not only that, but they show genuine kindness to one another, not because it’s expected but because they choose to be kind. This is a beautiful thing. Your family is beautiful. And if your mother is angry with you for lying, can you blame her? She only wishes to know the truth.”

“I didn’t want to worry her.”

Leila shook her head. “It is more, and you know that, and she knows. Perhaps she would have prayed for you differently. And perhaps those prayers would have made a difference. To not tell her the truth is to rob her of the opportunity to be a part of your life.”

Huh.

That made sense.

He lifted her hands and kissed her knuckles. “You’re very wise. And very beautiful. And my family likes you.”

She smiled, the expression shy and hopeful. “Do you really think so?”

“No question.”

“I like them too.”

It meant so much for her to say it. She barely knew them, but over time, they could all get to know each other better. As different as Leila was—in looks and culture and background—she could fit in with them.

“I have no idea what’s next for me,” he said. “I want to finish what we started, find out what Qasim and your uncle are up to. But then… I might be out of a job.”

“I didn’t fall in love with Michael Wright, CIA agent. I fell in love with you. I don’t care what you do. I would be happy for you to get a nice, boring job.”

Maybe he would, eventually. He was halfway decent at sales. Maybe he could find a real sales job somewhere.

“I need a job as well,” Leila said. And a place to live.”

“We’ll figure all that out.”

“My sister has never worked, and now she is with child and sick⁠—”

“Please, don’t worry. She’s your sister. She’ll be cared for. I promise.”

“You are a very kind man.”

“Selfish. I want to keep you, and Jasmine is part of the package. Besides, I like her. I think there’s a lot more to her than I’ve gotten to see.”

“She is unique.”

“As are you.” He held her hands to his chest. “You and I need to get to know each other, without all the secrets between us.”

“I would like this.”

“So, we’ll go back to dating?”

“Yes. If…” Leila lowered her face, then peeked up at him through her long eyelashes, looking almost bashful. “You don’t feel obligated because you brought me here?”

Obligated?

Was she crazy?

There was nothing Michael wanted more than this woman.