Jacqui blushed. She was saved from needing to respond by the arrival of their food.
After dinner and another short ride, they arrived at their next stop. Khizar helped Jacqui out of the car, then let her take in their new location.
They were standing in front of a large neoclassical building with a row of stately large columns running the length of the building. Marble steps led up to the entry, and well-dressed people were streaming in.
“We’re at the Arts Center,” Jacqui stated.
Khizar held out two tickets to her, and Jacqui read them. She looked up at him and smiled in delight.
“We’re going to see the ballet?”
“We are indeed.” He looked pleased at her excitement.
They walked into the building and found their seats close to the front, near the stage. Jacqui loved ballet—the music and the costumes inspired her. She sat rapt, soaking in the sounds and sights.
During the intermission, Khizar asked her if she wanted to go into the lobby.
Jacqui shook her head and opened her purse.
“I think I’ll sit here, but go on if you like.”
She pulled out a pen, and on the back of a blank page in her program, Jacqui began to sketch, not really paying attention to whether or not Khizar stayed.
Jacqui did feel him sit back down next to her. He waited patiently as she drew, finally putting her pen down. Khizar leaned over, silently asking if he could see. She turned the paper toward him.
He studied it, and then said, “These are cakes?”
Jacqui nodded.
“I’ve always wanted to design cakes based on famous ballets.”
Khizar tapped the paper and said sincerely, “These are amazing, Jacqui. Why don’t you do more of these?”
She shrugged, pleased that he liked her design, but embarrassed that she didn’t have a better answer.
“There’s not really a market for these kinds of cakes.”
“You’re an artist, truly. I think, with the right strategy, you could find a lot of customers for these.”
The lights dimmed to indicate the start of the next act. Jacqui felt warm and cozy at Khizar’s praise, and the rest of the ballet passed in a delicious swirl of color and happiness.
Chapter 5
Khizar
The next morning, Khizar woke up late. He had stayed up far past midnight the night before, answering emails and handling business matters. He could stay in Milwaukee a little longer, but there was still work to be done.
He checked in with James to see if his investigator had learned anything else. There was no new information, so Khizar decided to move forward with his strategy.
Jacqui had mentioned that she closed the shop early one day a week, and so he had planned a full afternoon and evening of activities. All signs pointed toward her falling for him, and it was only a matter of time before he could propose and then discover what he needed to know.
The Sheikh took his time with the arrangements for their date, wanting it to be clear that he was courting her. He also started to make plans for that weekend, in the hopes that Jacqui would allow him to truly sweep her away for a magical, if brief, vacation.
He arrived at the bakery a few minutes before it closed, and spent that time enjoying the warmth of Jacqui’s little shop. Khizar was surprised at just how much he was growing to like being in the bakery; it was one of the few places he felt no pressure and no rush.
Jacqui flipped the closed sign on the door over and looked around the bakery. “I’m ready to go if you are.”
The Sheikh nodded, and Jacqui locked the door behind them before starting to walk towards Khizar’s car. He took her hand and pulled her in the other direction instead.
“I thought we’d walk,” he said, keeping her hand in his.
“I didn’t think sheikhs walked anywhere.”
Her teasing tone delighted Khizar. It meant she felt comfortable enough with him to open up.
“This one does, and it’s such a lovely day, I thought we might enjoy it at a slower pace.”
He felt Jacqui relax her hand in his, and twined their fingers together. They walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, until their destination became clear.
“We’re going to the park?”
“We are, indeed.”
Khizar had done his research. One of Milwaukee’s largest and prettiest parks was not too far from Jacqui’s bakery, and it was perfect for an afternoon outing with long trails, a lake, and lush green areas with willow trees and flower gardens.