Page 25 of Prince of Her Heart
“I’m Ramzi.Tabitha’s fiancé.”
The gasps came in layers—Stacy, Martin, Leandra, even the neighbors chimed in with audible disbelief.It seemed to echo down the street, bouncing off fences and porches.
Stacy’s excitement bubbled over as she let out a squeal.“You’re engaged?!”she nearly shouted, still clutching Ramzi’s hand and making no effort to let go.Her grip shifted slightly as she all but abandoned Tabitha, edging toward Ramzi with a wide grin and eager eyes.“Why didn’t you tell me?!I mean, Iknewyou had a thing for your boss, but—holy crap, Tabitha!You didn’t eventellme you were dating him!”
Tabitha’s face went hot.The kind of blush that burned from her chest all the way to her forehead.She glanced up at Ramzi, heart stammering.“I didn’t—I don’t—” Her words tangled.And Ramzi didn’t help with that smile he wore—one of amusement… and something warmer.Darker.It made her knees a little weaker.
Stacy’s claim wasn’t wrong.But did he need to know that?
“When did you propose?”Stacy asked, now completely focused on Ramzi.Her excitement was genuine, her loyalty clear.There was no jealousy in her tone, only a best friend’s delight.Even as she asked the question, her eyes sparkled with happiness.
Tabitha tried to breathe, to re-center herself.Her gaze slid to the side, where Leandra stood with her hand on her rounded stomach, watching everything through narrowed eyes.The jealousy radiating from her was unmistakable.So was the tension in her jaw.
Martin stood stiffly beside his wife.But it wasn’t Leandra’s reaction that unsettled Tabitha—it was his.The tightness in his face.The flicker of fury barely masked behind polite disinterest.Why wouldhebe angry?
Tabitha looked away.On the porch next door, her neighbor stood frozen mid-gossip, whispering into her phone.The garden hose she’d dropped had created a growing puddle beneath the hydrangea bush.
That’s when Tabitha felt Ramzi’s fingers slip between hers.His palm was warm, his grip firm.Her instinct was to pull away—too much attention, too much touch—but his hand tightened, holding her still.
She looked up at him, startled by the gesture.The amusement in his dark eyes was unmistakable.
And then, without the slightest hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her.
It wasn’t possessive or rushed.Just enough of a kiss to make it clear to anyone watching that this wasn’t just talk.When he pulled back, her lips tingled.Her breath caught.Her mind emptied, and all she could do was look up at him, her body warming beneath that intense gaze.
Her eyes dropped to his mouth.A mistake.
She wanted another kiss.More than one.
Stacy’s delighted chuckle dragged her back to earth.She turned, cheeks still flushed.
“That’s so sweet,” Stacy said, her voice loud enough for the whole street.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tabitha react like that.”
Tabitha winced.Stacy’s volume hadn’t changed since grade school.
And sure enough, Martin heard.His scowl deepened, his fists clenched at his sides.
“Why don’t we take this inside?”Tabitha suggested, needing to get out of the spotlight.
“No way!”Stacy grabbed her other hand, tugging with urgency.“Sorry, Ramzi,” she added with an apologetic smile, “but I haven’t seen my best friend since Philly.She has to come over right now.I need to show her my dress, and we’ve got so much to catch up on that shecan’ttell me in front of an audience.”
She giggled, looping her arm through Tabitha’s and already steering her away.“You can meet her at the coffee shop in two hours!I promise I’ll have rung all the juicy gossip from her by then!”
Tabitha looked back at Ramzi over her shoulder, silently begging him to intervene.
But he only smiled, gave a small wave, and walked up the steps into her parents’ house.
Chapter 10
Ramzi stepped into the coffee shop and scanned the room.No Tabitha yet.
He walked to the counter and ordered two drinks—black coffee for himself and a latte for her.He grabbed several sweeteners before settling into a seat near the window, both to watch the passing foot traffic and to catch sight of her the moment she arrived.
That last interaction between them still played on repeat in his mind.Her blush.Stacy’s comment about her having “a thing” for him over the years.Not a crush.A thing.Interesting.
He sipped his coffee, barely settled, when the bell over the door jingled.Ramzi looked up.
The overly made-up woman from the sidewalk earlier strolled in.She looked far less pregnant now than she had that morning.Her clothes were tighter—jeans clinging to her hips, a scoop-neck tee framing breasts that were clearly on display.The belly she’d so proudly rubbed earlier?Gone.
