The Sheikh's Pregnant Wife - Leslie North Page 0,27

good,” he said, eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t name. “Strong.”

“Yes.”

When he bent down to kiss her, she kissed him back—and kept kissing until he finally pulled away. Yaseen pressed his knuckles to his lips.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” he said, and then he was gone.

“Thank you for coming,” Laila said to Kara that night in the palace ballroom. The two of them sat at the high table on the dais, chairing the function for Laila’s foundation. The dinner served as a fundraiser for the programs they offered—free pottery classes at centers throughout Raihan. “I know the last event wiped you out, so it means a lot.”

“I’m glad to be here. And feeling pretty awake tonight, too.” The two women laughed. “I have a fresh photo of the baby,” Kara said softly. “Would you like to see?”

Laila shot her an incredulous look. “Of course I want to see. Show me right now, before I have to get up and make a speech.”

Kara slipped the photo from her purse and held it out to Laila under the table.

“Oh, beautiful,” Laila said, eyebrows rising with delight. She looked at the picture for several moments, then passed it back. “How are things going with Yaseen?”

Kara let out a big breath, weighing her options. If anybody would understand, it would be Laila. “He can be an obstinate mule.”

Laila tipped back her head and laughed. “I understand exactly what you mean.”

“And then...” Kara leaned in, not bothering to hide her confusion. “Then he’ll do a one-eighty and become the most tender man on the planet.”

“I understand that, too.” Laila drummed her fingers on the tablecloth. “These Hasan men are complex. I can see that Yaseen has fallen for you. It’s only a matter of letting himself believe it.”

Kara rolled her eyes, but Laila’s words resonated. “How could he not believe it?”

Laila patted her hand. “Just don’t give up on the hope of a real relationship. What you have can blossom into something else. It’ll only take time.”

Kara couldn’t shake her skepticism, but at its center was a bright hope. If Yaseen did have similar feelings for her, well...she’d like that. She’d like it a lot.

She thought about him while Laila made her speech, and again as the two of them descended into the crowd after dinner. You can stop any time you need to. You don’t have to push through this to impress anyone.

“Kara.” A voice from a table in the corner of the room caught her attention, and she looked to her right. Salima.

She went toward the other woman and the two of them embraced, their bellies making the maneuver more difficult than normal.

“I didn’t know you’d be at this event,” Kara said. “I’m so happy to see you here.”

“How are you feeling?” Salima drew her to the table, and the two of them sat down. “Some days, I feel on top of the world. Other days, I barely have the energy to stand up in the morning. It’s hard work, creating life.”

Kara laughed. “Agreed. Is everything going well, though? Other than the bone-crushing fatigue.”

Salima’s eyes sparkled. “Very well.” Her expression shifted, becoming more serious. “I’ve been waiting to speak with you about something else, though. I knew you were going to attend this event, so I thought now would be a good time.”

“Tell me.” The other people in the room moved around them, exclaiming to their friends, and Kara let it wash over her while she soaked up the simple pleasure of sitting down.

Salima sat up straight and folded her hands over her belly. “I’m very pleased the government is going to invest in Mennah. I’ve helped some of the storeowners there with their debts.” She frowned. “I always wanted to do more, but it’s proven difficult to revive that town. I think your project is the perfect thing.”

Guilt squeezed at Kara’s heart. What should she say? That Yaseen had decided against it? That they were looking for private donors? She nodded along instead, searching for the right words.

“I would like to help in any way that I can toward the project.” Salima leaned in. “Any way. You only need to say the word.”

Kara’s heart sang. Play it cool—play it cool. She’s only one of the most impressive businesswomen in the country. She could save everything. Play it cool. “That’s wonderful,” she said, struggling to keep her voice even. “Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch soon with the project details.”

13

The driver held open the door of the SUV