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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 a 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, s 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 hio?”

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 liiven that Jacqui had never ridden in either, it didn’t matter