They arranged—or, rather, he arranged—to meet at his penthouse apartment the next day, after her shift at Cranston had ended.

It was not what she wanted. She would have preferred neutral territory, and certainly on another night when she had not been working for twelve hours. But time, as he kindly explained, was of the essence, with their weekend deadline looming large.

So, at 5:30, she had dragged her weary body across the hospital’s giant lot to where her car waited, only to fight traffic, irritable drivers, and uncooperative traffic lights on her way to the Wilshire Reef. Valet parking, no less. One little corner of her already occupied brain wondered, half-hysterically, if the hotel would validate her ticket.

Hallie was surprised to find Karim waiting for her in the lobby. Having expected she would be forced to intrude upon the posh interior in her worn and wrinkled scrubs, all alone, it was a relief to see that at least she would be properly greeted and escorted to the top floor.

He rose with a smile from his very luxurious upholstered club chair as she approached. Not a word about the condition of her dress or appearance, not even when he himself was freshly showered and shaved, wearing neatly pressed brown trousers and a casual open-necked blue golf shirt.

“You’re here,” he said, pleased.

“Well, yeah. You did remind me several times to call when I was leaving work. I figured you might know that I’d be here, as I said I would.”

She knew she shouldn’t start off their planned evening of rehearsal on an irritated note, but she couldn’t help it. The mood was a carryover from last night.

“I’m sorry. Have I done something wrong?”

Hallie sighed. “No, you’re just being you, Karim. You can’t help it. Come on, let’s get this show on the road.”

In silence, they entered the glass elevator; in silence and splendor, they rode to the twentieth floor; in silence, they exited. It wasn’t until they were actually inside the apartment that Karim spoke again.

“I’m no expert in such matters, Hallie, but it does seem to me that our relationship will be more comfortable—and believable to others—if we maintain a somewhat pleasant atmosphere between us, when we can.”

“Sure. Whatever.” Slinging her bag to the ground by the door, she looked around. “Nice digs.”

He took the compliment at its word, rather than its intent.

“Thank you. I like it. I hope you will, too. You are hungry, yes?”

“Yes. No dinner. And I’ve been on my feet all day, run ragged, so I’m grouchy as a bear straight out of hibernation.”

“Let’s see if we can fix that, shall we?”

With a sweet smile, he turned to press a buzzer inset in the wall.

“What’s that?”

“I’m letting room service know they can bring our table up now. I hope you don’t mind—I took the liberty of ordering for you.”

It seemed to Hallie that the man took a lot of liberties.

“No problem. I’m hungry enough not to care what I eat.”

“Please, sit down. Relax. Would you like something to drink?”

“Iced tea would be fine. Nothing alcoholic—that would put me under the table.”

“Such colorful language you Americans employ.”

He disappeared for a few minutes into what she assumed was the kitchen, returning with two glasses not only filled but topped off by orange slices. Nice touch. She was amazed that he even knew the location of the refrigerator, and how to retrieve ice cubes.

Meanwhile, she had been wandering around the room, taking in the opulent furniture fabrics, the one-of-a-kind paintings framed in gold, the exquisite rugs that should never feel a footprint, and a view of the city to die for. From here, on high, one could almost smell the Delaware’s off-to-the-sea air, feel the breeze blown in by passing vessels. Soon to be part of the Al Ahsan empire.

Finally, she joined him on the modular white couch.

“Ah,” Hallie murmured, sinking back in comfort. It was so wonderful to sit—she wanted to curl up with a pillow and blanket and never move again.

“I seem to be apologizing every time I’m with you,” Karim said softly, leaning forward in an effort to show her the emotion on his face. “I’m sorry; I hadn’t considered just how tired you would be. I should have met you elsewhere, at your convenience.”

“Yes, you should have.” Sipping at the tea, she considered this for a moment. “But I should have spoken up. I’m an adult; I have a voice and an opinion. It isn’t all your fault.”

“Thank you for that, Hallie. And where is little Aaron, while you’re away?”

“He’s spending the night with my parents.” She shifted, a trifle uneasily. “They think I’m out on a last-minute date. They’re expecting me back by ten.”

A discreet knock sounded on the door.

“Well, then.” He rose and went to answer. “Shall we proceed?”

The dinner was delicious, as she might have known it would be. Apparently, he had ordered nearly everything from the menu, for a variety of dishes ranged across the extra-large push table brought up by a server. In fact, Hallie wondered how the whole thing had even fit into the elevator.

Once settled the glass-and-steel dining room table, Karim handed her a plate and utensils.

“Shrimp?” he asked.

Hallie’s eyes lit up.

“I love shrimp.” Being the expensive creatures they were, she rarely got a chance to eat them.

Once their hunger was satisfied, they lingered over the meal, tasting this, testing that. And talking. As during their time together yesterday afternoon, Hallie found Karim to be not only an interesting conversationalist, but a spellbound listener, asking all the right questions and respectfully waiting until she had answered before going on.

By nine o’clock, noticing that Hallie was trying to hide her yawns, Karim suggested they take their coffee to the living room.

“For some strategizing,” he said.

She drew in a breath. Herein lay the crux of the matter. There would be no backing out of their agreement now; she had already (most reluctantly) accepted his proposition.

“I was pleased, but somewhat surprised, when you called me last night. Might I ask what changed your mind?”

Irked, Hallie stirred sugar into her coffee and set the spoon aside.

“I have bills to pay,” she said shortly.

“I see. I’m sorry for that, Hallie—”

He broke off with a sharp exhale, and a little flick of his hand.

“There I go, sorry again. It’s just—well, I can understand how you must feel forced into this situation, simply because of needing money. It is the great leveler, is it not? And the idea does not sit well with you. You have pride, and dignity, and I wish there had been another way to achieve my aims.”

“Uh-huh.”

Karim sighed. “Would you like dessert?”

“Can I take mine to-go?”

The comment stopped him dead on his way to the cart. He turned slowly, in one of his less-decisive moments, to stare at her. She was curled up sideways on his couch, looking at him over the rim of her china cup. Her eyes were crinkled.

“Ah. Your sense of humor. I must get used to that, if we are to make this weekend a success. For your dining pleasure, we have lime cheesecake, and you may take the whole box if you wish.”

He returned to his seat, leaned both elbows onto the chair arms, and laced his fingers together.

“Now, then. Here is what I suggest.”

He had certainly worked out all the details, Hallie mused, watching him as he spoke.

Besides assuming the role of his wife, she was to have worked at Karim’s company—Al Ahsan Enterprises—as an HR executive with whom he’d fallen in love. Supposedly, they’d been married about eighteen months ago, and little Aaron was the result. The apple of his father’s eye, of course.

They consulted on a wedding date and setting (an intimate January ceremony on a tiny island off the coast of Al Ashan), birthdays (and zodiac signs, just in case), and all the other personal anniversaries that make up a couple’s life. Details, details. Favorite foods, favorite colors, favorite place to unwind, favorite travel destination…

“But I don’t have one,” protested Hallie, startled. “I’ve never traveled outside the States.”

“Ah. But where would you like to travel, given your choice?”

She needed only a second of thought.

“The south of France. The Languedoc…wine country.”

“Very well. It’s settled. Have you any other questions?”

“I—I don’t think so. Not at the moment.”

Peering at her with concern, he extended his hand to help her rise.

“Then let’s leave it, for now. You are nearly falling asleep before my eyes, Hallie. May I offer you my driver to take you back? I do not want you to drive so exhausted.”

“Oh, no, I’ll be fine. Some fresh air will do me good; besides, I need my car tomorrow.”

It was not like him to fret over last-minute particulars. Perhaps because the matter was so important?

Karim then handed her a check, saying, “I hope that this will be sufficient for you to purchase whatever you think you might need for you and the baby for the event—clothing, and so on. Obviously, this is just to cover costs for the party. Your actual payment will come once we’re finished at the event.”

Hallie eyed the check for a second, seeing it was written out for five hundred dollars. Before she had the chance to say anything, he continued.

“And, remember, my limo will be at your apartment at ten o’clock Saturday morning. You and Aaron will be ready to go?”

“Yes, Karim. We’ll be ready.”

“And you will be able to take the time away from work?”

Hallie was already slipping her shoes back on and gathering up her bag.

“Yes, I talked to my supervisor this morning and she gave me—uh—grudging approval.”

She was reaching for the door handle when he stopped her.

“A moment, please. I will escort you.”

“Oh, that isn’t necessary. I can—”

“Of course it is necessary,” he disagreed. “I will see you to your car.”

It was hardly a magical night, since the hours of their companionship had involved conniving about skullduggery and pulling the wool over an old man’s eyes. Not exactly moonlight and roses material, nor the little bits of golden glitter so favored by fairy godmothers with a wand.

Still, the area around the hotel was decorated with cypress trees and twinkling white lights, the air was scented by night-blooming flowers, and easy-listening music could be heard drifting over from a nearby café.

Karim had taken Hallie’s keys to unlock the car door and hold it open for her. Just before she slid inside, he took hold of her arm.

“Thank you, Hallie. You are doing an enormous favor for me, and I won’t forget it.”

A slow, warm hug—surprising in itself, because he had moved before she’d realized what he was up to—and a gentle kiss on the cheek. Then, in a nice display of manners, he stepped back and waited while she settled herself and drove away.

In a daze of whirling emotions. A definite daze.