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Mila’s shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry, Sahaar. I didn’t think. Of course I’ll do my best.”
“I appreciate that.” There was something strange about the older woman’s expression, almost mischievous, as Sahaar went back to her dough.
Mila poured the cup of coffee and took it to Rashid. He’d made himself comfortable on Sahaar’s couch and spread his legs as he leaned back comfortably. He didn’t even bother to sit up straighter as she handed the hot liquid to him, and she wished that she could pour it right on his crotch.
“You’re too kind.” Rashid took a sip and grimaced.
Mila hadn’t bothered to sweeten it for him, and now she lifted her eyebrows as she waited for him to complain. He eyed her quietly before he took another sip, and she silently laughed.
“So you’ve come to apologize.” She sat in the armchair across the room from him, about as far away as she could get and still be in the same room, and curled her legs up under her. “Why don’t we just forget it ever happened?”
“I can’t do that. I am appal
led that I have offended you. After all, we are like family, are we not? Liyah is a sister to me, and I know that you feel the same way. Please allow me the opportunity to make it up to you.”
Mila glanced through the doorway into the kitchen. Sahaar hadn’t rejoined them, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t listening. “How gallant,” she said dryly. “What did you have in mind?”
“I propose the opportunity that we get to know each other a little better. I’d love to escort you through the marketplace today.”
The words kiss my ass were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them. Instead, she pressed a hand to her chest over her heart and gave him her brightest smile. “You have no idea how much your offer means to me,” she simpered. “But I know that you are a busy man, and I couldn’t bear to take up any of your precious time. Please know that your offer is enough to smooth things over between us, and I look forward to seeing you at the next event at the palace.”
She heard Sahaar snort from the kitchen, and Rashid chuckled. “Oh, but I’m afraid that I must insist. Getting to know me a little better would be the polite thing to do, would it not?”
Mila dug her nails into the fabric of the chair and narrowed her eyes. Sucking in her cheeks, she took a deep breath. Finally, she shook her head and stood. “I’m still in my pajamas. Let me get dressed,” she grumbled, and turned and stomped out of the room.
Rashid’s laugh followed her all the way to her bedroom, and it took all of her self-control not to slam the door shut.
Knowing the type of women that Rashid liked to hang out with, Mila dressed in the frumpiest long-sleeve shirt that she owned, and the baggy pair of jeans that she still had from when she had been a murderous farmer at her Halloween gig a few years ago. She still didn’t know why she’d packed them in the first place. “For such a time as this,” she muttered under her breath. “I must be psychic.” She’d be hot as hell, but hopefully it would work to turn Rashid off.
When she returned, he took one look at her and raised his eyebrows.
“What?” she demanded. “Is there something wrong? Have you decided that maybe you’d like to go another time?”
“Not at all. I was just going to say that your shirt brings out the lovely color of your eyes.”
The word idiot was right on the tip of her tongue, but Sahaar was standing in the doorway, so Mila just forced a smile. “Aren’t you sweet,” she murmured. “My shift starts at four tonight.”
Rashid shrugged. “I’ll speak to your manager. I’m sure we can work something out. Sahaar, it is always a pleasure to see you.” He opened the door and headed out to the car. Mila scrambled after him.
“Wait, you can’t just call my manager! I need to work tonight. I need money.” He didn’t even pause as the driver opened the door and he slid inside. “Are you listening?”
“I’m listening,” he said calmly as Mila scrambled in. “Do you suppose that your exchange-mother would bake me a loaf of bread with raisins and cranberries if I brought her some?”
“We both know that you’re not here to apologize, so why don’t you just tell me what’s on your agenda?” Mila said, ignoring his question.
“Are you always so suspicious? I have no agenda, my dear. I realized that I have offended you, and the best way to make up for that is by getting to know each other. I know so little about you except from what Liyah has said. You two are practically family.”
Mila mulled his words over as she sat back on the posh leather seat. As much as she wanted to continue to label him a chauvinistic pig, she couldn’t really fault him for what had happened. After all, Asad had offered Liyah the very same deal, and she’d jumped at the chance. Rashid probably didn’t mean to offend her, and he was right. Liyah was the closest thing that Mila had to a sister, and she did want to get to know Asad and his family a little better.
“So—friends?” she asked tentatively.
“It seems that I really did misjudge you,” he murmured quietly. “Yes. Friends.”
“In that case, the answer to your question is yes.”
His eyes widened in surprise as he stared at her. “Yes?” he asked slowly. “You’ll be my bride?”
“Yes. If you get raisins and cranberries, Sahaar would probably love to bake you a special loaf of bread.”
