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“Do you have plans this weekend?” he asked instead

“Just work, but I’s”

“Can I talk you into taking sos for the next few days, and I’d hoped to see more of you before I have to fly home”

She laid one hand on his arm

“I’d like that I’ll ask Lyssa if she can cover the bakery this weekend”

Khizar smiled “Good I’ll stop by tomorrow and we can make plans”

Jacqui waited a ht, Khizar Thank you for today”

“Good night, Jacqui” He waited until she was inside her apartment and heard the lock turn before he left

Khizar saw that she had hoped he would kiss her goodnight, and part of hi her But he was deter his heart was not part of his plan

As he drove back to his hotel, Khizar thought ht have on Jacqui He was beginning to like her, and he knew she would be hurt in the end Although he was certain he could keep hi in too deep, he wanted to try to protect her feelings as well, at least as much as he could

Later that night as he finalized plans for the weekend, he considered ould s, and satisfied with the itinerary, went to sleep thinking of how this weekend would seal his plan

Chapter 6

Jacqui

Jacqui opened the bakery Fridayin her step, and Lyssa noticed the second she walked in the door later that

“You’re awfully chipper again today Hoas your afternoon with Sheikh Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”

Jacqui rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help s as she remembered

“He took h the park, and we had a picnic And…he hired a string quartet to play during the picnic”

Lyssa stared at her, bug-eyed “He did what?”

“I know, right? It was definitely a little over the top”

“And you loved it”

Jacqui nodded firmly “I totally loved it”

“So, what’s on your weekend agenda? Please tellyou someplace fabulous”

“Actually, I was going to ask you about that”