In the end, that was the thing. Even if he was just killing time while doing business in Milwaukee, he’d treated her with respect and kindness. Their relationship didn’t have to be a permanent one… Even though, if Jacqui was being honest with herself, that was something she was starting to hope for.
Chapter 9
Khizar
Khizar held his hands lightly pressed over Jacqui’s eyes, not letting her see where they were just yet. He’d spent a week planning this moment, and, more importantly, the moment after, when he would ask Jacqui about Bill Bauer.
Surprisingly, though, he found himself caught up in the moment. He wanted her to enjoy that evening, and if he were being honest with himself, he was looking forward to enjoying it, too.
“Okay, now you can look.”
Khizar dropped his hands, running them down Jacqui’s arms.
She took in the water, the empty lakefront, and the picnic setting, looking from one side of the scene to the other. There was no one else for as far as they could see in any direction; even the boats on the water were staying at a respectful distance.
There was an open pavilion draped with billowing lengths of light pink fabric, tied with white and yellow ribbons. The back of the pavilion was filled with large arrangements of flowers, creating a wall of roses, orchids, violets, and lilies.
In front of the pavilion, a large, soft picnic blanket stretched out over the grass. The blanket was covered with piles of lush pillows, and rose petals were strewn everywhere. On one corner of the blanket, a picnic basket waited for them, as well as a champagne in a bucket of ice and two crystal glasses edged in gold.
“Oh, Khizar, it’s lovely.” She looked around again, and Khizar saw a moment of puzzlement cross her face. “It’s always so crowded out here, especially this time of year. Where is everyone?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Sheikh’s privilege.”
Jacqui laughed. “I don’t think that works here.”
He laughed with her, liking how it felt.
“Okay, fair enough. I got a special event permit from the city for tonight. It just happens that our event is only for two people.”
She leaned back against him, and he found that his arms automatically wanted to wrap around her.
“Well, in that case, I’m looking forward to this special event.”
If she knew what was coming, Khizar thought, she didn’t give any sign of it. So, he took her hand and led her to sit on the blanket. He poured a glass of champagne for each of them.
“Jacqui, this last month has been unexpected. I didn’t come to Milwaukee looking to find the one woman in the world I want to spend every second of time with. Being with you has been a gift, one that I don’t intend to squander.”
He held up his glass to her in a toast. Jacqui clinked her glass with his and drank from it.
The sun was setting behind them, bathing everything on the waterfront in a soft, golden light. Khizar fixed them each a small plate—oysters, caviar, dates stuffed with a rich goat cheese—and they nibbled while the light faded and the stars came out.
“So, are you going to tell me where you’ve been the last few days? Someplace fabulous?” Jacqui asked.
He smiled at her and raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve been hard at work, I promise. Tracking things down, putting things together. But hopefully, all that work will have been worth it.”
“How many store owners have you convinced to sell your jewelry?”
“This week, not a one. My project was a bit more specialized.”
Jacqui gave him a puzzled look, but Khizar only grinned at her and wouldn’t tell her anything else. Instead, they chatted about Jacqui’s week and about how pretty the waterfront area was. Khizar kept the conversation light; he didn’t want her to bring up anything more serious before he sprung the surprise.
Just after the last bit of light disappeared from the sky and it was well and truly dark, Khizar’s phone dinged. Jacqui gave him a questioning look, but Khizar only smiled mysteriously and pointed up.
Jacqui looked up and waited, then gasped when the first set of fireworks went off. She whipped her head around to look at Khizar.
“You did this?” she asked, and he could tell she was delighted.
Khizar brought her hand to his lips and then pointed her gaze back to the fireworks. “I did. It’s a special show, just for you.”
Jacqui laughed, and Khizar warmed at how happy she sounded.
“Me, and anyone on this side of Lake Michigan looking up right now.”
Khizar watched the fireworks with her, the blues and reds and greens exploding in patterns over the water. There were shapes: a heart, a smiley face, which made her laugh, and flowers. There were cascades of gold and silver that looked like glitter falling from the sky.