“I’m so glad you had time to see us today,” her mother said, sitting at one of the little tables.
“Of course, Mom. I’m glad you had time to stop by.”
She poured coffee and handed it to her dad, who carried the cups to the table. Jacqui followed with the cake and three plates; she sliced the cake into generous pieces, putting one on each plate.
“I’ll send the Thompsons your apologies for ruining our dinner,” her dad said, nudging his daughter’s elbow.
“Tell them I said hello, too,” Jacqui said, laughing.
Her mother took a small bite of cake and then put her fork down.
“Jacqui, we wanted to talk to you about something.”
Jacqui looked between them. Her father was suddenly, unusually, serious. And her mother looked nervous.
“Is everything okay?”
“Well, that’s what we wanted to ask you,” her father said.
“I’m fine. The bakery is fine—well, there’s still the question of if I have enough business to cover a rent increase—but it’s the normal worry.”
Michelle took a deep breath.
“It’s just, we were a little surprised when you brought Khizar home with you. He seems nice; we just didn’t know you were seeing someone so seriously.”
Jacqui thought about it. It was sweet that her parents were worried, and to be honest, things were moving fast with Khizar.
“I know it’s a bit sudden, but I’m really happy.”
“We can see that, Jacqui,” her father said. “But we don’t even know how you met.”
“He came into the bakery, bought everything I’d baked that day, and gave it away to some charity organizations I suggested. I went with him and we got to know each other.”
Her parents exchanged a look that Jacqui couldn’t decipher.
“He’s in Milwaukee for business?” Alan asked.
Jacqui nodded. “He’s been talking to jewelry store owners about expanding his company’s jewelry line here.”
“He doesn’t talk a lot about his family,” her mother said.
“No, he doesn’t,” Jacqui said. “But we’ve only been dating a few weeks.”
Michelle laid a hand softly on the table. “Exactly.”
Jacqui looked from her mother to her father. “What’s bothering you both? Is it that I’m dating someone from another country?”
Alan shook his head. “No, though I expect the two of you are going to have to have a difficult conversation about location in the near future.”
“I know, the location difference isn’t ideal. But it’s nothing we can’t work out. I mean, he owns a jet, after all.”
Her parents exchanged another look.
“Sweetie, we know that things haven’t been great here at the bakery, and you’re worried about having to close. We’re concerned that you’re only seeing the financial security Khizar offers,” her mom said.
“The trips and the gifts—they’re a little over the top, aren’t they?” her dad asked.
Jacqui shook her head.
“He’s got money and he likes to spend it. Come on, he gives money to charity. He buys cakes and hands them out to people who don’t have any money to buy them.”
Michelle asked hesitantly, “Are you sure he doesn’t see you as a charity case, too?”
Jacqui started to deny that idea, and then took a deep breath. Her parents were just watching out for her.
“He’s never patronizing, and he’s never done anything as crass as just give me money. I’m not being bought, Mom.”
“No, of course not. But don’t you think he’s being a little mysterious about who he is and why he’s here?”
“I know who he is, Mom, and why. He’s here for business.” Jacqui held up a hand. “Look, you’re concerned, and I get it. It’s a crazy story—CEO sheikh meets Milwaukee baker—but I’m really happy with Khizar. And it has only been a few weeks, but I want to see where our relationship is going.”
Alan nodded. “And we trust you. The only thing we want is for you to be safe and healthy and happy.”
Michelle patted her hand. “You know we’re always here if you need anything.”