Lauren wasn’t quite sure how to answer, but the twinkle in his eye reassured her that he was teasing.
“It is certainly not like any place I’ve ever eaten dinner.”
“Well, I hope you won’t be disappointed then. Instead of a formal meal here, Tarana and I thought we’d eat in the family dining room.”
Lauren gave him her best smile. “That sounds wonderful. I’m sure it’s just as beautiful as this one.”
Two minutes later, she was struck by how true her words were. This room was smaller, but no less magnificent. Instead of stone, a dark wood paneling covered the walls. The floors were a beautiful tile, covered in antique woven rugs that Lauren was certain belonged in a museum.
Footmen waited to hold chairs for each of them at the round dining table. Lauren thought she would not have been surprised if the table were a thousand years old. The table and chairs looked like they came straight out of a fairy tale.
As one of the footmen poured wine, Hakim’s father asked, “Lauren, tell us a little more about yourself. Do you work with Hakim?”
Lauren carefully didn’t look at Hakim as she answered the question. “I’m the CEO of a production company in Anaheim. My path crossed with Hakim’s at one of our events and we became friends there.”
As she said it, she realized it was true, at least from a certain point of view. Lauren considered Hakim a friend, of a sort anyway. She still thought about wanting more, but pushed that thought away for the moment, though she did catch Hakim giving her a look she couldn’t quite decipher.
Tarana asked, “Are you from California?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was born in Los Angeles and moved to Anaheim when I was a teenager, after my parents divorced. I’ve been there ever since.”
Hakim added, “In addition to being an outstanding CEO, Lauren also participates in theater.”
Musheer nodded approvingly. “It’s good to have interests outside of work.”
“It’s fun for me, and honestly, in a way it’s good to focus on the creative process. The business side sometimes forgets what that’s like.”
“Did you start the company?” Musheer asked.
“I did, three years ago. I followed in my mother’s footsteps, if not in the same industry.”
Hakim hurriedly switched the topic. “By the way, we went to the hospital today to see Sadira, Bahir, and the baby.”
“We must have just missed you. Your mother was up there at the crack of dawn this morning.” Musheer said.
Tarana slapped a gentle hand at her husband. “Hush, you. You didn’t want to leave when it was time for our darling granddaughter to go to sleep.”
“I regret nothing,” Musheer said with a wide grin.
Lauren laughed. “You should have seen this one. He sat with baby Nyla for the longest time, just chatting about everything.”
Hakim echoed his father. “I regret nothing.”
They all laughed and Hakim continued. “Babies are meant to be fussed over. I wish I could stay longer and spend some more time with her.”
Tarana patted her son’s hand. “You’ll just have to come back again soon.”
The first course was served, and their conversation turned to Hakim’s business and what Lauren had seen earlier in the day. As nervous as she had been before the meal, Lauren was surprised how freely conversation flowed and how quickly the time passed.
They were a small family, but they made up for it in presence. Tarana and Musheer obviously loved each other deeply, and it was just as clear that they were exceptionally proud of both their children.
When talk turned to business, Hakim talked about one of Lauren’s most successful projects to date, almost bragging about her accomplishment in securing the major client. Lauren tilted her head at him and narrowed her eyes just a tiny bit in question. He answered with a small lift of one shoulder. She assumed he’d done some research on her over the last week since he hadn’t known much about her before the auction.
Lauren loved how warm and loving the whole dinner turned out to be. It wasn’t like anything she’d expected, especially when she was fretting over eating with royalty. Hakim’s parents were kind and generous, and they treated Lauren like she was part of the family.
It was nothing like her dinner with Patricia every month. Lauren knew her mother loved her and was proud of her, but the way she showed it couldn’t be further from the warmth Lauren experienced with Hakim’s family. She thought she could get used to dinners like this one.
They moved to a balcony outside for coffee and dessert. Lauren asked about the plants in the garden and Hakim offered to walk her through and show her everything before they made their way back to the car.