“A work visa? What are you here for?”
“I’m hoping to get a job working as a curator. Were you at Mila’s wedding? I don’t remember you—but then, I didn’t really know anyone.”
Fatima airily waved her hand. “Oh, I couldn’t make it.”
Fatima couldn’t make what had looked like the wedding of the year? Katie found that hard to believe, but she didn’t push. Instead, she asked Fatima to recommend something for lunch and settled back as she waited. Grabbing a notepad, she started to scribble down some ideas on how she might improve her confidence persona.
Art was more than just pretty pictures. It encompassed culture, emotions, and history, all rolled into one. Katie had poured her heart and soul into her studies. However, if she wanted to find a curator’s position in this city, she needed to look as if she belonged to this city. Katie was currently just a visitor. She needed to become an intricate part of Dubai.
After lunch, she exchanged phone numbers with Fatima—the woman was enthusiastically interested in being her friend, and Katie could use another connection—before she headed back to the car. On impulse, she asked the driver to pull over on a side street lined with boutiques.
Confidence started with clothing.
She spent a bigger chunk of her savings than she wanted on a few different interview pieces and a gorgeous new dress. When she got back to the car with her bags, the driver helped her load them into the trunk. “The palace has requested that you return and join them tonight at dinner.”
Katie hesitated. She’d planned on going back home to her room at Sahaar’s—but hadn’t she just lectured herself about being more involved in the city? Maybe that ought to start with her contacts with the royal family.
The palace quickly filled with people that evening after Amira decided to throw an impromptu mixer. Katie had met the gorgeous Sharif sister a handful of times and loved everything about the woman. She was smart, sexy, outspoken, and not easily cowed by anyone, least of all her brothers. Rashid and Asad clearly adored her—even if she always seemed to find amusement in irritating them. Katie had it on good authority that the sister had been instrumental in matching her brothers with Mila and Liyah.
Meddling.
“So you just woke up this morning and decided to throw a party?” Katie joked as Amira, Mila, and Liyah gently pulled her through the crowd.
“And how fortunate that you woke up this morning and decided to buy a dress! It must be fate,” Amira said with a wink. “This party is for you, my dear! Liyah and Mila commented that you haven’t had any fun since you got to Dubai, and I love throwing parties. And, let’s face it, you’re a knockout, and I desperately wanted to show you off.”
Katie snorted. “Am I guest or a piece of artwork?”
“You’re both. Obviously.” Amira grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray and handed it to her. “Come. Let me introduce you to a bunch of influential people.”
“Influential people?”
“Of course. I would never invite anyone who wasn’t influential.”
The women laughed, and Katie tried desperately to keep up. Even though Mila and Liyah were Americans, they were obviously well-loved here. They easily conversed with everyone as if they were old friends.
Somewhat to her surprise, Katie was enjoying herself immensely.
After finishing her champagne, she went in search for a tray to deposit her glass. Catching sight of a white-coated servant from the corner of her eye, she whirled toward him—and bumped into a hard body.
“Excuse me,” she said immediately, and when her gaze flew up, her heart skipped a beat. The man was tall with perfectly sculpted cheek bones, dark swept-back hair, and familiar beautiful moss green eyes.
The elusive Khalid Al Sharif. Katie had seen him at the wedding, but they hadn’t been introduced, and she hadn’t laid eyes on him since.
“No harm,” he said softly as he reached out to steady her. He plucked the glass from her hand and replaced it with a new glass when a server walked by.
“I’m Katie.” He smiled politely, and she rushed on, the words tumbling out as if beyond her control. “I’m staying with Sahaar on a work visa. I was admiring the artwork in the palace. Your brothers tell me that you are responsible for the new acquisitions. You have excellent taste.” She managed to stop herself—she hated babbling!—barely restraining a wince.
He didn’t seem to notice her sudden attack of nerves but narrowed his eyes and studied her intently. “You were also an exchange student?”
“No. I’m not part of any student program, now or in the past.” She smiled and tried for a casual tone. “I know that’s how Mila and Liyah met. I’m brand new to the city. Sahaar was recommended to me, and she graciously accepted me into her home.”
“I see.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at it. “Ah,” he said. “That’s an hour.” He put the phone back in his pocket and met her curious gaze. “If you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do. Please do not tell my sister that you saw me. I’d prefer it if she didn’t get any ideas in her head.”
Katie blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
Rather than answer, Khalid turned and walked away.
“Rude, much?” she muttered after him as she wrinkled her nose. Asad and Rashid were so friendly. What had happened with the youngest brother?