Page 86 of Not the Plan

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An hour later, legs still entwined, sweaty and exhausted, they lay naked next to each other trying to catch their breath. Isadora felt a chill first and pulled the sheet over them both. Karim broke the afterglow.

“Why don’t you want me to go with you?”

“I didn’t think it was a possibility,” she said.

He swallowed hard.

“Not because I wouldn’t like that. We’resupposed to beenemies, remember? Something…like this, you helping me this way…” She fiddled with the sheet, smoothing it over herself with openpalms. “It would mean we’re on the same team.” She kept her gaze downcast, away from him. His hand came to her cheek, fingertips grazing her jawline. She looked up at him.

“I’ve been on Team Isadora for quite some time now,” he said. The timbre of his voice and his caress quieted all the anxious thoughts, all the fears.He makes it so easy to imagine that really letting him in won’t tear everything down. Could it be true?She made eye contact with him again.

“Would you like it if I came with you?” he asked.

She nodded because she was afraid to open her mouth and have a sob come out. A hot tear trailed to her temple.

“Shhh…” He wiped the tear. “Don’t. Please don’t.”

“But…” Things were too hot, too sharp. She couldn’t tell him that she was also afraid of sacrificing her dreams if she fell for him. The easiest concern was the most public. “If Julian finds out about you helping me, about…all of this, you could lose your job.”

He smoothed her hair down, tucking some behind her ear. “It’s just a job, Isadora. I’ll find another if I have to. What about you? Do you think Daniel would be upset if he found out?”

She sniffed, but a smile tugged at her lips. “Glenna gave…” She wasn’t sure what to say next.Me? Us? If I say “us,” does that mean an “us” already exists?

“Isa? What did Glenna give?” He stroked her hair again, her cheek.

He is so sweet. And so perfect. If he’s willing to be there for me like this, if he’s on “Team Isadora”…She took a deep breath.

“Glenna gaveusher blessing. Daniel wouldn’t dare contradict her,” she said. His smile made her feel warm, safe. But she had trouble letting go of all her worries.

“But what about your new start, Karim? If Julian finds out, he’ll do everything he can to destroy it. He’ll use all his connections to blackball you. I won’t be responsible for—”

He put his finger to her lips. “Shhh…my choice, my responsibility. You’re worth it, beautiful.”

“It seems unfair to you, though,” she whispered.

“If I want to help, how is it unfair?” He picked up her hand, curling it into his and kissing the back. He nuzzled their joined hands into his chest. “Isa. I want to help.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Will you let me?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Karim

Khalil answered after the first ring.

“Hey bro, what’s up?”

Even though he knew Julian wouldn’t get to the office for another thirty minutes, Karim locked his door and went to the window at the other end of the room. “Hey, doing good. You?”

“Not bad. How’s your lady friend?”

Karim rolled his eyes. “She’s good, she’s the reason I’m calling, actually.”

Karim told him about the wedding. He knew that, as the confirmed ladies’ man of the family, Khalil would help him sweep her off her feet. Karim wanted to, but he’d avoided examining why.

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