The dinner party went well past midnight, and Liyah and Mila insisted that Katie spend the night in the palace guest suite. Though she went to bed in a blur of wine and weariness, she woke up fairly early and found a pair of shorts and a cute green lace tank top waiting for her with a note insisting that she take the day to enjoy herself. Apparently, there was a driver waiting to convey her wherever she wanted to go.

“Meddlesome women,” she muttered under her breath, but there was a smile on her face. When was the last time someone had insisted that she take a day off?

The truth was that she’d hit the ground running as soon as she’d landed in Dubai. She’d already had interviews lined up, and she’d been tweaking her resume and doing her research on the different museums. Last night had been the first time that she’d enjoyed herself since her arrival, and she did want to find a connection to Dubai. Something that might fulfill her—and she couldn’t do that until she actually explored the beautiful city.

Liyah and Mila were both slender women, but the shorts and the top fit Katie perfectly. Following the instructions on the note, she found the driver waiting outside for her. She figured she’d enjoy some tea and walk around the marketplace, have some lunch, and then head home in the afternoon to start the job search again.

The market bazaar was crowded despite the earliness of the hour. Everyone probably wanted to beat the afternoon heat.

She purchased a cup of chai tea from a vendor and slowly walked around to take everything in. The bartering was intense, always escalating into an argument that mingled with the laughter within the rest of the marketplace. Vendors approached her eagerly with beautiful things. Ornate jewelry, fresh fruits and vegetables, hand-painted books of poetry: Katie politely brushed them off, but she did stop and linger at some of the carts carrying gorgeous prints and carved woodwork.

Finally, slightly overwhelmed from the crowd and the strong perfume and spice aromas, she took refuge in the lounge that Mila and Liyah had recommended. The place had just opened for lunch, and the dark, cool air offered a nice reprieve.

The hostess seated her. She took her time with the menu. Having skipped breakfast, her stomach rumbled, but at the same time, her mind was wandering. There had been so many interested-sounding emails when she’d first put out feelers, and it had never occurred to her that she’d have trouble finding a job. What was she lacking? She’d done well in school, excelled in her internship, and gained prestige through her work.

She was damn good at what she did—so what was the problem?

Maybe it was something to do with confidence. This was a different culture. She needed to do more than prove herself on paper. She needed to prove that she was just as good as any man.

“Welcome. I’m Fatima, and I’ll be taking care of you today. I’m actually one of the managers here.”

Katie looked up in confusion. “Do I warrant a manager?”

“The hostess told me that you gave her the Al Sharifs’ card. They have a running tab here, so I just want to make sure that you get the best service we have to offer. And that’s me. How do you know the Sharif brothers?”

“I know them through their wives. Mila and Liyah? Mila used to work here, right?”

“She did!” Fatima flashed a big smile. “We were such good friends when she was here. Are you here with the exchange program?”

Pleased to meet another friendly face, Katie put the menu down and relaxed. “Not exactly. I’m here on a work visa, and Sahaar offered me a room. They’ve all been so welcoming here.”

“A work visa? What are you here for?”

“I’m hoping to get a job working as a curator. Were you at Mila’s wedding? I don’t remember you—but then, I didn’t really know anyone.”

Fatima airily waved her hand. “Oh, I couldn’t make it.”

Fatima couldn’t make what had looked like the wedding of the year? Katie found that hard to believe, but she didn’t push. Instead, she asked Fatima to recommend something for lunch and settled back as she waited. Grabbing a notepad, she started to scribble down some ideas on how she might improve her confidence persona.

Art was more than just pretty pictures. It encompassed culture, emotions, and history, all rolled into one. Katie had poured her heart and soul into her studies. However, if she wanted to find a curator’s position in this city, she needed to look as if she belonged to this city. Katie was currently just a visitor. She needed to become an intricate part of Dubai.

After lunch, she exchanged phone numbers with Fatima—the woman was enthusiastically interested in being her friend, and Katie could use another connection—before she headed back to the car. On impulse, she asked the driver to pull over on a side street lined with boutiques.

Confidence started with clothing.

She spent a bigger chunk of her savings than she wanted on a few different interview pieces and a gorgeous new dress. When she got back to the car with her bags, the driver helped her load them into the trunk. “The palace has requested that you return and join them tonight at dinner.”

Katie hesitated. She’d planned on going back home to her room at Sahaar’s—but hadn’t she just lectured herself about being more involved in the city? Maybe that ought to start with her contacts with the royal family.

The palace quickly filled with people that evening after Amira decided to throw an impromptu mixer. Katie had met the gorgeous Sharif sister a handful of times and loved everything about the woman. She was smart, sexy, outspoken, and not easily cowed by anyone, least of all her brothers. Rashid and Asad clearly adored her—even if she always seemed to find amusement in irritating them. Katie had it on good authority that the sister had been instrumental in matching her brothers with Mila and Liyah.

Meddling.

“So you just woke up this morning and decided to throw a party?” Katie joked as Amira, Mila, and Liyah gently pulled her through the crowd.

“And how fortunate that you woke up this morning and decided to buy a dress! It must be fate,” Amira said with a wink. “This party is for you, my dear! Liyah and Mila commented that you haven’t had any fun since you got to Dubai, and I love throwing parties. And, let’s face it, you’re a knockout, and I desperately wanted to show you off.”

Katie snorted. “Am I guest or a piece of artwork?”

“You’re both. Obviously.” Amira grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray and handed it to her. “Come. Let me introduce you to a bunch of influential people.”

“Influential people?”

“Of course. I would never invite anyone who wasn’t influential.”

The women laughed, and Katie tried desperately to keep up. Even though Mila and Liyah were Americans, they were obviously well-loved here. They easily conversed with everyone as if they were old friends.

Somewhat to her surprise, Katie was enjoying herself immensely.

After finishing her champagne, she went in search for a tray to deposit her glass. Catching sight of a white-coated servant from the corner of her eye, she whirled toward him—and bumped into a hard body.

“Excuse me,” she said immediately, and when her gaze flew up, her heart skipped a beat. The man was tall with perfectly sculpted cheek bones, dark swept-back hair, and familiar beautiful moss green eyes.

The elusive Khalid Al Sharif. Katie had seen him at the wedding, but they hadn’t been introduced, and she hadn’t laid eyes on him since.

“No harm,” he said softly as he reached out to steady her. He plucked the glass from her hand and replaced it with a new glass when a server walked by.

“I’m Katie.” He smiled politely, and she rushed on, the words tumbling out as if beyond her control. “I’m staying with Sahaar on a work visa. I was admiring the artwork in the palace. Your brothers tell me that you are responsible for the new acquisitions. You have excellent taste.” She managed to stop herself—she hated babbling!—barely restraining a wince.

He didn’t seem to notice her sudden attack of nerves but narrowed his eyes and studied her intently. “You were also an exchange student?”

“No. I’m not part of any student program, now or in the past.” She smiled and tried for a casual tone. “I know that’s how Mila and Liyah met. I’m brand new to the city. Sahaar was recommended to me, and she graciously accepted me into her home.”

“I see.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at it. “Ah,” he said. “That’s an hour.” He put the phone back in his pocket and met her curious gaze. “If you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do. Please do not tell my sister that you saw me. I’d prefer it if she didn’t get any ideas in her head.”

Katie blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

Rather than answer, Khalid turned and walked away.

“Rude, much?” she muttered after him as she wrinkled her nose. Asad and Rashid were so friendly. What had happened with the youngest brother?

“Did I just see you speaking to my brother?” Amira asked suddenly in her ear.

Katie gasped and jumped. “Are you lurking?” she demanded, and then she managed a laugh.

“It’s my party. That gives me grounds to keep an eye on things without lurking,” the exotic beauty said with a smile. “The truth is, I’m glad you met him. I wasn’t even sure if he would show up. It’s so difficult to get him to socialize, sometimes. Especially now that Asad and Rashid are married. In any case, did you two get a chance to talk about work?”

“Work? No. I tried to compliment him on the artwork in the palace, but he didn’t seem interested.”

“Khalid owns an art gallery here in Dubai, and I heard that he’s thinking of expanding.” Amira cocked her head and gave Katie a measuring glance. “I think you should submit your resume.”

Hope swelled in Katie as she gripped the glass Khalid had thrust into her hand. “Really? I didn’t even get a chance to tell him that I was looking for a museum job. In fact, we didn’t really talk much at all, except that he was interested in my connection with Mila and Liyah. He also didn’t seem to want you to know that we’d met.”

A slow smile spread over Amira’s face. “Really? In that case, I would definitely recommend that you send him your resume, but don’t mention your connection to us. Let your work speak for itself.”

“I had planned on doing just that,” Katie said with a confused smile. “Is there something else that I should know?”

“Not at all. Now, come mingle!”

Happy that Mila and Liyah had talked her into this, Katie dutifully followed Amira around and let the princess continue showing her off. Her head was spinning with possibilities.

Maybe, just maybe, this trip to Dubai will work out, after all.