page81 (1/1)

“When norer to tell you their entire life story,” Ali left, toward a bar “Can we finally leave this to rest, then, and agree that most of your proomen is rooted in your title, your clothes—”

“No,” I responded, my voice firm “Absolutely not I think I just happen to have found the toughest cookie in all of Al-Jarra”

“I don’t think another A his head “They deirls we’re used to You’ve been with them before—”

“Sure, but I was never trying to get the whiny and strange, even in irl, Ito hide, maybe”

“Or she senses that you’re up to so to collect her, like a prize”

“Trust me, I played it cool,” I said But in the back ofto think I hadn’t The scarf had been overkill—but h even in our initial conversation Hoas I meant to reel it in? I wasn’t used to it I was a sheikh, for heaven’s sake I didn’t need to

“Let’s just say that you lost, and call it over,” Alim said “You don’t need to payme

“Let’s give it a few more days, okay?” I told him “I don’t think it’s completely over This is always that scene in the movie, you know? When the woman slaps you and tells you you’re the worst person she’s ever ain…”

“You mean American movies from the 1940s? Sure You should definitely take your cues froer You’re done Let’s go drink our blues away”

But I wouldn’t let it go Although I grinned and laughed through the drinks with Ali a new plan I wouldn’t be taken down, not like this As I bantered with Ali new topics, new conversations beyond an to restructure the “rules” of the game

And as Alie throughto win, nobehind Ali the very basis of our bet

I was too proud to lose If I did, I’d never be able to look Aliain

The following day, Ali at three in the afternoon “Thank God your Aht before “Otherwise, I’d have to reschedule so I could watch you fail!”

Are, I dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, along with azed ateyes, the dark wavy hair

I knew that, dressed like this, Angie would have no reason to turn me down This was the Rami that the world knew—the Sheikh Finally, she would realize that the only way to move foras to fall madly in love with me

I walked toward hini I’d recently purchased, and hopped into the front seat, revving the engine I felt the arrogance that Angie had called out pulsing inthat it suited me now that I was dressed the part Maybe none of us could help where we came from, ere

But describing that to Alim wouldn’t make me “win” the bet I had to find another way

I drove toward Angie’s school, the route now a fa at the entrance, I re as the kids swaran to dive into their parents’ vehicles Sure enough, Angie was aht purple dress Her dark hair whipped around her as she said goodbye to the kids, waving her hands My sto that just yesterday, I’d h like that I’d made her smile Until I hadn’t

When the last of the children had filtered out fro, I stepped out of the car I knew , especially when contrasted to the tired parents and the older woie, perched on the top step After a pause, I began to move down the sidewalk, toward the entrance Iie’s attention She stood, frozen, staring at me