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She’d known that so it, ood to be true Jacqui recognized that she’d ignored those whispers of concern, caught up in the ind of Khizar’s courtship

Still, she’d really had fun It wasn’t just being treated like a princess or the luxury she wasn’t used to, it was that she laughed with Khizar; that she genuinely loved being around him

Plus, he’d treated her with respect and kindness Except for that one not-so-little lie that their relationship was founded on Did it all balance out in the end?

There was no doubt in herthe truth now, or that he sincerely regretted his actions And she was in love with hi he’d done, she couldn’t deny that fact But was it enough?

Jacqui walked back to the bench and sat down next to Khizar

“I don’t knohat to do”

Khizar nodded “I understand You don’t have to decide anything tonight”

“Thank you,” Jacqui said softly

“I do have soive it to you, if that’s okay”

Jacqui nodded and Khizar reached into his jacket, pulling a small box out of the inner pocket The box was silver and metallic, with a thin red ribbon wrapped around it and tied in a curly bow

He held the box out to her, and she took it tentatively She turned it over and felt so shift inside

“You’re not going to propose again, are you?” she asked, her eyes filled with mirthful tears

“Not today,” he smiled “I tracked this doe were in Milwaukee, before I proposed, actually Whatever happened, I wanted you to have it”

Jacqui was curious now, and carefully pulled the ribbon off the box She slowly pulled the lid of the box up and off There was a layer of silk cloth, folded; she picked that up and laid the silk inside the top half of the box