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Loud voices carried fro across the room, and Khizar looked up to see a couple with their ar up to the bartender She tenderly laid a hand on his chest as she shushed hioing to be his wife

The bartender asked if they had just gotten engaged, and the woman proudly displayed her left hand He shook both their hands across the bar, and then poured two glasses of chaether at the end of the bar, leaning in to each other, oblivious to the world around them

Khizar took another drink and watched the couple Marriage was so he expected he’d have to have some day Hopefully, someday far into the future

His parents were hinting that they’d like to see a wedding, and his uncle was supportive of that idea as well But Khizar wasn’t in any rush, as desirable as the happy couple at the bar made it look

Khizar wondered if Jacqui was dating anyone Nothing had appeared in the pictures on her social le their dinner

He didn’t think she would have accepted a dinner invitation if she was seeing souarded, and he could see that she didn’t open up to a lot of people However, in the short time they’d known each other, she apparently had decided he was someone she could trust

Perhaps he could use that He would be s Jacqui would give him a reason to spend more time with her

Spending ht about her shed He liked ood when he h

The couple at the bar finished their cha them, Khizar had a moment of inspiration

If Jacqui was his fiancée, she would definitely tell hieuise of who they needed to invite to the wedding

It would also give him a reason to take her to Nudushan if that was necessary—he was certain Bill hadn’t hidden the diaiven how ht still be there somewhere

They wouldn’t actually get married, of course Their relationship would only last a feeeks, a couple of months at the most He would find a reason to stay in Milwaukee, impress her with elaborate dates, and then propose He would sweep her off her feet

He felt so her heart, but he’d show her the tiive her a feeeks to remember He’d treat her with respect and affection, and shower her with presents

In the end, he could let her down easy Perhaps he could note that their worlds were too different and she wouldn’t be happy so far from her home Khizar was sure he could find a way to lessen the blohen the time came

And, he could still figure out a way to save her business He would buy the diamond from her, even if it wasn’t clearly in her possession Theto her It would provide financial security, letting her bolster her business or move it to a better location She could expand and hire h to keep her business stable for years

Buying the diamond from her would make up for this early deception He wouldshe needed when he returned to his regular life

Khizar looked at his plan fro about her toohere He liked her enough to want her to succeed, and he would ensure that happened He could play the interested suitor, show her a ro his heart

This was the best plan Before he knew it, he’d have Bill Bauer’s diaet it