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Their host waited until they were settled and said, “The chef is preparing his specialties for you, but if there’s so in particular you’d like, I’ll ask hiies 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, atching her closely

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

Khizar laughed “I knohich is why I wanted to do so special”

“You didn’t have to, really”

He leaned forward

“Jacqui, I don’t have anyone to spoil, and I haveto be in town, and you are without a doubt farthe bulk ofto spendto use that tis in life”

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

“On s attached I will completely understand if you’d prefer not to”

Jacqui studied him for aand handsome and so h she knew there wasn’t even a re-ter 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 s feel wobbly

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

Jacqui rolled her eyes, but smiled “Fine”