Page 23 of Shâhzâdeh

“I figured this would be better than our normal banter.” Now I was being dumb and flirting back but it was something I couldn’t resist about him.

“On zhat front, you are right. I will not look a gift horse in zhe mouth. I will smile and thank him for the gift he has bestowed upon me.”

We were silent for a moment, my thoughts wrapped up in wanting to find something to lengthen the conversation and running away. I let fear win and got him off the phone.

“I didn’t want to hold you. I just wanted to say thank you.”

He released a breath and it seemed like he was disappointed for the conversation to end. “It was nothing.”

It was my turn to scoff because his definition of nothing differed vastly from mine. “Nothing? A man flies halfway around the world—”

He chuckled, a mix of arrogance and self deprecation. I didn’t even know how that was a thing, but I could pick up on it in his laughter. “I was going anyway—”

“Custom blends something for you based on one conversation and then has it delivered with an arrangement of custom florals he probably hand selected based on their color, shape and scent.”

“Maybe I’m just a creep who wanted an excuse to sniff you wizout getting slapped for being improper.”

My eyes fluttered closed at the idea of him sniffing me because it sounded…passionate. I’d seen it but never experienced it and damn if his comment didn’t have me wondering what it would be like. “Maybe, but I know that’s not the truth. So accept my gratitude, because you have it. And more than that, you have my appreciation. So thank you. This is exceptional. Magical.”

“Magical.Qalb-e man, given the opportunity, zhis will pale in comparison to what I would like to provide for you.”

“It never could.”

“How do you know? I could present you with an entire turquoise mine. A pallet of gold, a half dozen race horses.”

“You could. But that’s just money. This is thoughtful.Care. Consideration of the person I am, not the person you wish I were. It’s not draping me in diamonds to show the world your wealth. It’s taking the time out to personalize something for me because you can see and value me. I’ve never had that before so for that I thank you. This has touched me deeply.

“Wallah, I do not zhink my heart can take hearing all zhis from you. I almost razer you be zhrowing out your verbal jabs zhan zhese heaps of flattering zhat warm my soul.” I could hear him smiling, and sounded like he was blushing as well.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. But I’m going to go. I have perfume to marvel at.”

“I will see you soon, zhen.”

“Perhaps. I’m always at Frankies. How did you say it? Isn—”

“Inshallah-God willing. But perhaps,inshallah, even before zhe next dinner with our friends.”

His words sounded hopeful, but I should’ve known they were more of a promise.

“I know your babies are asleep, but I needed to talk.”

“I just put Quad down, what’s wrong?” Frankie was moving around in the house but I could see her pause so she could listen to what I had to say.

“I’m shocked you answered if they’re both down for the count.”

“I’d normally be up under Liam, but he’s at Merrick Hall. Bhaltair and Jeri are back.” I could admit I was mildly jealous. Frankie had a new friend that wasn’t me and that new friend had been with her in Scotland when she gave birth to their son. I had been tied up and unable to get out of the country in time because of the craziness of holiday travel. Liam had almost cussed me out since he said he would’ve happily sent their family plane for me, but I didn’t want to be a mooch.

“If you need to go…”

She looked at the phone and rolled her eyes as I saw her walk down the stairs away from the kid’s bedrooms.

“You are really being ridiculous with this no new friends policy. You’d like Jeri.”

“I’m sure I would. I can’t help that I finally have someone that likes me and they go off and get a new homegirl. It’s stirring up feelings, I’ll learn how to deal. It’s not your problem. Besides, she’s family and I’m a friend. You picked me so that makes me even more special.” It’s what I’d been telling myself for weeks. That Frankie loved me and wouldn’t replace me. But it did prick at my feelings of abandonment.

“You need therapy.”

I leaned back against my headboard and laughed sarcastically. “You are absolutely right on that front but we know we’re not going down that black hole that is my mind.”

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