All next morning, Jacqui couldn’t stop thinking about Khizar. She was so distracted, she left the sugar out of a batch of cookies and the baking powder out of a cake. Finally, after giving herself a stern talking-to, she finished the day’s baking with no more mishaps.

For heaven’s sake, it had just been a friendly dinner last night. The same would be true for lunch today. They’d got along well during their charitable outing, and since Khizar didn’t know anyone in the city, he was probably just a little lonely. Or, mostly, she guessed, he was just being nice.

True to his word, Khizar parked in front of the bakery at exactly two o’clock. Jacqui looked out the window, suddenly a little nervous. But when Khizar walked through the door and smiled at her, that nervousness disappeared.

Jacqui could feel Lyssa’s raised eyebrows from behind her. Lyssa had come in around 11, and Jacqui had welcomed the distraction. She’d shared the story of Khizar buying out the bakery and giving everything away, but she hadn’t mentioned that the mysterious sheikh was planning to come by the bakery again.

Jacqui greeted him, sounding jauntier than she felt.

“If you’re looking to buy us out again, I’m afraid it was a good day and we don’t have much left.”

Khizar laughed. “Well, then, my plan of lunching on cakes and cookies is a nonstarter. I guess we’ll have to go out somewhere.”

Lyssa stepped up next to Jacqui and bumped her arm. Jacqui tilted her head toward the younger woman.

“Khizar, this is Lyssa. She is my most indispensable employee.”

Lyssa snorted. “I’m her only employee.”

Khizar bowed a little in Lyssa’s direction.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lyssa.”

“Likewise,” Lyssa said. “So, you’re taking my boss out for a lunch date?”

Jacqui started to explain, but Khizar just nodded.

“Excellent.” She pushed Jacqui around the counter. “Go. Enjoy lunch.”

Jacqui laughed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

Lyssa tilted her head and thought about it.

“Yes. Without you here, I’m planning on using the next hour or so to start my plan for world domination through baked goods.”

Khizar raised a hand. “You have my support.”

“Thank you, Khizar.” Lyssa held her hand out for Jacqui’s apron. Jacqui shook her head, but untied her apron, slid it over her head, and handed it to Lyssa all the same.

Once in Khizar’s car, Jacqui asked, “So, what would you like to do for lunch?”

“I was thinking, if it’s okay with you, of eating down by the water.”

Jacqui nodded. “There are some great places there. Sounds good to me.”

“I asked around for a recommendation, and this seemed to be everyone’s favorite.”

“How’s your work going?”

“Fine. Boring meetings and too much talk about spreadsheets and financial statements.”

“Who are you meeting with? I would think talking about precious gems and jewelry would be fascinating.”

“Oh, it is. But it’s more the business side that I’m focusing on right now. I’m looking to expand our jewelry line here in the States.”

“You don’t sell here now?”

“In places like Los Angeles and Manhattan, yes. But I think it’s worth pursuing other market opportunities.”

The car stopped in front of a restaurant. Khizar parallel parked on the street and went around to open Jacqui’s door.

“This is a great place,” she said, stepping out onto the sidewalk. “I didn’t know it was open for lunch.”

Khizar led her up the sidewalk and to the front door. “It’s not, but I convinced them this was a special occasion.”

Jacqui’s head whipped around to stare at him just as a man opened the door and welcomed them.

“Sheikh Jamshidi, Ms. Bauer; right this way, please. We’re so happy to have you dine with us today.”

He directed them to a door leading out onto the restaurant deck, where a table had been set up with a perfect view of Lake Michigan.

Khizar held Jacqui’s chair for her, and then sat in his own. Jacqui still wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but she was willing to roll with it.

Their host waited until they were settled and said, “The chef is preparing his specialties for you, but if there’s something in particular you’d like, I’ll ask him to fix that instead. Ms. Bauer, do you have any food allergies or sensitivities the chef should avoid?”

Jacqui shook her head. “No, but thank you for checking.”

The host nodded genially. “I’ll bring some water and iced tea out for you, and if you’d like coffee, please just let me know.”

He stepped away and Jacqui looked around. They were they only people on the deck, and Jacqui hadn’t seen anyone else in the restaurant. She looked back at Khizar, who was watching her closely.

“I would have been fine with brats from one of the food trucks,” she said.

Khizar laughed. “I know, which is why I wanted to do something special.”

“You didn’t have to, really.”

He leaned forward.

“Jacqui, I don’t have anyone to spoil, and I have money to burn. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be in town, and you are without a doubt far more interesting that the people I’m spending the bulk of my time with. I’m being purely selfish by wanting to spend more time with you and wanting to use that time to show you the finer things in life.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, and he put a hand on his chest.

“On my honor, spending time with me comes with no strings attached. I will completely understand if you’d prefer not to.”

Jacqui studied him for a moment. She wanted to spend time with him. He was charming and handsome and so much fun. She was terribly attracted to him, and although she knew there wasn’t even a remote chance of a long-term relationship, she wouldn’t mind cultivating a friendship. A flirtatious friendship, maybe, but a friendship just the same.

“You don’t have to spoil me to spend time with me,” she answered finally.

It was a good thing she was sitting down, since his answering grin made her legs feel wobbly.

“No. Getting to spoil you is a benefit in its own right.”

Jacqui rolled her eyes, but smiled. “Fine.”

A server brought glasses to the table, and those were soon followed by small plates of a green salad, then main dishes of seafood pasta. The duo chatted throughout the meal, laughing and telling childhood stories.

When Khizar dropped Jacqui off at the bakery an hour later, he asked if he could take her to dinner that night.

“I wish I could, but I’ve got plans tonight. There’s a children’s home in town, and I teach baking classes for the kids there. We make a mess more than anything, but it’s fun for the kids.”

“And for you, too, I imagine. Is this the children’s home you spent time in?”

“No,” Jacqui said and shook her head. “But it is why spending time with these kids is important to me.”

“Of course. Dinner tomorrow night, then?”

She smiled at him. “Yes, I’d like that. Should I meet you somewhere?”

“I’ll pick you up.”

Jacqui gave him her address, and after agreeing on a time, she slipped out of the car before he could come around and open her door for her.

* * *

That night, Jacqui arrived back home after her visit to the children’s home. The manager of her apartment building was going out of the front door as Jacqui was coming in.

“Jacqui! There was a large delivery for you earlier. I had them go ahead and put it in your apartment, but I was there the whole time.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Thompson!” Jacqui called as the other woman headed out.

She wasn’t sure what had been delivered, but it was probably something from her parents. They occasionally found something they insisted she needed, and instead of asking, would just send it to her.

Jacqui had no idea what large object they’d found, but it was something she’d love. Probably.

She unlocked her door, pushed it open, and tossed her keys on the bookcase in the entryway as she walked in. The first thing she noticed was that her apartment smelled different.

She flipped on a light and gasped. Every flat surface of her apartment seemed like it was covered in flowers. There were daffodils and carnations and lilies and freesias—the only thing she didn’t see were roses.

Jacqui automatically knew, of course, who had sent the flowers. And, sure enough, an especially lovely bouquet in the middle of the room carried a card which read:

I hope these flowers brighten your evening the way you brightened my day. Deepest regards, Khizar

Jacqui sighed. The man knew how to make a girl swoon, that much was certain.

* * *

Early the next morning, Jacqui carried several of the flower arrangements into the bakery. They made the small space look especially cheerful, and made her smile all morning.

The bakery had an unusual amount of traffic that morning, too. New customers wandered in, looking around like they couldn’t quite believe they were there. Each of them ordered several items, and some of them stayed to eat at the tables.

Jacqui stayed busy all morning. A few of the customers came back to the counter and ordered a dozen pastries or a whole cake to take back to their offices. It was definitely the best morning for the business in a while.

Around ten that morning, in a lull in the unusual rush, the door opened and Jacqui looked up to see several suited men enter the bakery.

“Gentlemen, I promise that once you try Ms. Bauer’s cakes, you won’t want to eat any other kind of dessert. Please, indulge yourselves.”

Khizar stood back and watched as the group deliberated over what to purchase. He encouraged them to get several different items, and waited patiently as each man ordered.

Jacqui hurried to pull things out of the case and box them up, taking extra care so that the packaging looked nice.

Once each man had received his order and paid, Khizar walked up to the counter and winked at Jacqui.

“I’d like three dozen brownies and a slice of whatever cake you like best today, please.”

She raised her eyebrows, but put the order together. When he pulled out his wallet to pay, Jacqui tried to wave him off, but he laid a hand over hers and shook his head.

“No argument. I think these things are worth twice what you charge. And I’m learning that the promise of bringing brownies into a jewelry shop I want to negotiate with is an excellent ice-breaker.”

Jacqui laughed. “So that’s what you’re doing with all these?”

He waved a hand toward the group of men. “For that matter, it also works with taking the jewelers to the bakery.”

“I’ll have to remember that tactic next time I want something from the bank,” she said, shaking her head.

She put the cash in the register and handed him the boxes of brownies and the smaller box with the slice of cake.

Jacqui bit her lower lip and finally said, “Thank you. For the flowers. They are absolutely lovely.”

“Not as lovely as you. I am delighted you are enjoying them,” he replied, looking around at the flowers she’d brought in.

Jacqui felt herself blushing, but before she could say anything else, Khizar asked, “Still up for dinner tonight?”

“Definitely,” she said, smiling at him.

“Fair warning, there’s a chance it will be someplace fancy.”

Jacqui tried not to giggle. “Thanks for the heads up.”

He grinned at her again as he walked backwards towards the door, following his little group of businessmen out the door.

* * *

When the knock sounded on her door, Jacqui smoothed her hair and her dress one more time and went to open it.

Khizar seemed a little stunned; at least, he didn’t speak for a full ten seconds. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, “You look stunning.”

“Thank you,” Jacqui said, pleased.

She’d pulled out one of her favorite dresses, a deep burgundy sheath with a scoop neck and lace overlay. The elbow-length sleeves fell in wide bells around her arms. Jacqui had always felt like a princess in this dress.

Khizar shook himself and held out an arm. “Shall we go?”

Jacqui picked up a wrap and her purse, and turned off the lights. She closed and locked the door, then took his arm.

“Where are we off to?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

When they got downstairs, Jacqui was looking for Khizar’s rental car, but she didn’t see it. What she did see sitting in front of her building was a limo. Well, more a town car than a stretch limo, but given that Jacqui had never ridden in either, it didn’t matter.

She looked at Khizar in question and he held the door open for her.

“We might be going to more than just dinner tonight.”

Jacqui climbed into the car, and found two glasses and a bottle of champagne waiting. Khizar slid in next to her and closed the door.

He leaned forward and said to the driver, “We’re ready, thank you.”

He sat back and gestured to the glasses. “Would you like something to drink?”

The car pulled away from the building as Jacqui took a glass from Khizar, his fingers brushing against hers. She thought he might have lingered there, just a bit.

It wasn’t a long ride, and Jacqui mostly enjoyed just being in a luxurious car sipping champagne. Khizar helped her out of the car and led her into another water-front restaurant. Once again, they were greeted with deference and shown to one of the best tables in the house.

As they were looking over the menus, the chef came out from the kitchen to chat with them. He talked with Jacqui and Khizar for a few minutes, and promised to make them an amazing meal.

After they ordered, Jacqui looked around at the restaurant. It was another place she could never afford on her own. She had to admit, it was nice to be treated to such amazing places.

She noticed Khizar studying people as they walked by, and she nudged his arm.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

“Ah, hazard of the trade. I can’t help but notice what jewelry people are wearing.”

“Do you see any of yours?” Jacqui was teasing, but Khizar swept the room with a serious, critical gaze.

His eyes landed on an older woman wearing a long cocktail dress and he nodded.

“See her necklace? I don’t know where the chain came from, but the pendant is one of my father’s designs. It’s a ruby and diamond set, probably from a Nudushani mine.”

Jacqui looked at him in amazement. “You can tell all of that from here?”

He shrugged. “All part of the trade.”

Jacqui tilted her head. “Can you recognize other brands of jewelry?”

“I can.” Khizar gave her a rakish grin. “Try me?”

“And how am I supposed to know if you’re right? You could be making things up.”

Khizar held his hand over his heart. “I never lie about jewelry.”

He sounded so serious, and looked so adorable, that Jacqui couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. Wow me.”

And he did. Leaning into her side, Khizar whispered the names of the best jewelry houses in the world as he pointed out different pieces around the room. A couple of times, he raised his eyebrows or shook his head.

“What is it?” Jacqui asked.

“I hope she knows those aren’t real.” He pointed his chin at another woman across the room who was wearing a large diamond bracelet.

Jacqui tried to figure out what he was seeing. “They’re not?”

Khizar shook his head.

“It’s a very good reproduction made by someone who knew what they were doing. It’s possible that she had it made so that she wouldn’t risk something happening to the original piece.”

“That makes sense,” Jacqui said. She looked around the room. “What about those?”

She was looking at a lovely garnet necklace. Khizar whistled lowly.

“Good eye. That’s a rare piece, definitely an antique. Because it’s a green garnet, it’s more valuable. However, it’s the age and the setting that truly sets it off. If she has matching earrings, the whole set would be quite valuable.”

Jacqui watched him, amused by the change in his voice and manner, which was somewhere between professorial and ardent admiration. He leaned forward, focused and measured, but also eager. She was seeing another side of this mysterious man, and it was, Jacqui admitted, attractive.

“You want to go chat her up, don’t you?” Jacqui teased him.

“What? No.” Khizar turned back to her.

Jacqui grinned mischievously at him. “Okay, you want to go chat up her jewelry.”

Khizar laughed loudly, surprised. “I promise; I only have eyes for you.”

“It’s okay. I understand. I can share you with other women’s jewelry.”

Khizar laughed again and took her hand, caressing it lightly with his thumb.

“Another risk of the business. I’m always assessing the values of precious stones. But if I’m distracted by a lovely gem, it’s nothing compared to the distraction I feel in your presence. You overwhelm me.”

Jacqui blushed. She was saved from needing to respond by the arrival of their food.

After dinner and another short ride, they arrived at their next stop. Khizar helped Jacqui out of the car, then let her take in their new location.

They were standing in front of a large neoclassical building with a row of stately large columns running the length of the building. Marble steps led up to the entry, and well-dressed people were streaming in.

“We’re at the Arts Center,” Jacqui stated.

Khizar held out two tickets to her, and Jacqui read them. She looked up at him and smiled in delight.

“We’re going to see the ballet?”

“We are indeed.” He looked pleased at her excitement.

They walked into the building and found their seats close to the front, near the stage. Jacqui loved ballet—the music and the costumes inspired her. She sat rapt, soaking in the sounds and sights.

During the intermission, Khizar asked her if she wanted to go into the lobby.

Jacqui shook her head and opened her purse.

“I think I’ll sit here, but go on if you like.”

She pulled out a pen, and on the back of a blank page in her program, Jacqui began to sketch, not really paying attention to whether or not Khizar stayed.

Jacqui did feel him sit back down next to her. He waited patiently as she drew, finally putting her pen down. Khizar leaned over, silently asking if he could see. She turned the paper toward him.

He studied it, and then said, “These are cakes?”

Jacqui nodded.

“I’ve always wanted to design cakes based on famous ballets.”

Khizar tapped the paper and said sincerely, “These are amazing, Jacqui. Why don’t you do more of these?”

She shrugged, pleased that he liked her design, but embarrassed that she didn’t have a better answer.

“There’s not really a market for these kinds of cakes.”

“You’re an artist, truly. I think, with the right strategy, you could find a lot of customers for these.”

The lights dimmed to indicate the start of the next act. Jacqui felt warm and cozy at Khizar’s praise, and the rest of the ballet passed in a delicious swirl of color and happiness.